MOUNT HOLLY — Visitors to St. Joseph College Seminary can’t miss the most recent addition to its entrance: a bronze seminary shield mounted on a sword and stuck into a boulder.
The sculpture was created by artist and metalsmith Mark Read of Banner Elk, who also created the bronze elements and lion’s tail doorknobs for the college seminary’s signature front doors.
Read installed the bronze and stone artwork Feb. 25.
The shield features the college seminary’s motto “Noli Timere” (“Do Not Be Afraid”), a recumbent lion and a field of diamonds (called lozenges).
Pictured (from left): Read’s assistant Liam; seminarian Maximilian Frei; artist Mark Read; Father Matthew Kauth, rector; Deacon Tim Mueller; Sister Mary Raphael; seminarians Carson Cannon and Michael Camilleri; and Fredrik Akerblom.
— Photo provided by st. Joseph college seminary