1984 Rare Parson Patterson Figurine/Retired Tom Clark True Builders of America

Description: Be inspired by the earnestness of Tom Clark's 1984 Parson Patterson. Wishing to honor his mentor, Clark showcases what it means to be the leader of the flock in the Depression years in this rare sculpture. Commenting on the dedication of a clergyman during this time, Artist Clark related, "#324 (Aquarius, 1984) Seeking to portray a minister with all the strength and self-sacrifice demanded of the vocation of the 1930s, I chose as my model Dr. C. Houston Patterson, of Bluefield, West Virginia. Having served as his assistant for two years, I wished to honor him and others like him who were living testaments to the gospel of Christ. "He wears a choir robe because I wanted to show that the churches of the Depression had to be resourceful and yet maintain dignity in worship. On the left side of the pulpit are early Christian symbols. The seven stars of the Big Dipper are allusions to the seven stars in The Book of Revelation to John (1:16). It is a reference to the whole Church. The "A" and "W" are the Latinized renditions of Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. This is a reference to Rev. (1:8). The depiction of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is the symbolic way that the early Church painted Him in the Catacombs of Rome. The front of the pulpit has been copied from the French 16th century and depicts the four gospel writers with their customary symbols: the winged man for Matthew, the lion for Mark, the ox for Luke and the eagle for John. "The cross in the pulpit is a miniature of St. Mark's Cross (pre-Reformation) on the sacred isle of Iona between Scotland and Ireland. On the pulpit to the Parson's left is the triangle, symbolizing the Trinity. The X and the combined P are the Greek letters for Chi and Rho, the first early Church abbreviation for Christ. The seashell is the symbol for the Apostle James. The little stars above and below the shell indicate what the Parson has used as his text, and it is apparently aimed at me, a long-time member of the Religion Department at Davidson College: “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know we who teach will be judged with great strictness.” The sermon is about over; the Parson’s pocket watch reads 11:50 a.m." Our Parson Patterson is #37 of mold #324. Measuring 12" tall by 6.25" wide, Parson is in excellent condition, with only a very narrow scratch on the edge of the pulpit (photo #2). Issued on January 27, 1984, Parson Patterson was retired on January 1, 1990. Although no longer preaching, he is available to share his wisdom in private. One of the True Builders of America Series, Parson Patterson demonstrates building for America through faith.

Price: 114.84 USD

Location: Muncie, Indiana

End Time: 2025-01-08T20:52:15.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD