May 6, 2008

St. Joseph’s Church ash tree transformed to 14-foot statue of Jesus

NEARING THE FINISHING TOUCHES — Former Wells County resident Daniel Mayer of Bardstown, Ky., finished this wood carving of Jesus Christ Monday evening. The 7,000-pound log ash tree is from the front of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The log was cut down on April 30 and Mayer began carving the same day as the log was moved to the home of his parents, Greg and Louise Mayer. A professional woodcarver, Daniel Mayer has worked more than 100 hours on the project, which was expected to be finished today and returned to the church for mounting on the original stump. (Photo by Joe Smekens)

Daniel Mayer has been a wood carver since he was seven years old.

“I think it all started when I stole one of mom’s kitchen knives,” Mayer said Monday afternoon while taking a break from his current carving project, a 14-foot statue of Jesus Christ, which was to be placed in front of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church today.

Mayer, 38, is a 1988 graduate of Norwell High School who now lives in Bardstown, Ky., where he keeps as busy as he wants to be as a professional woodcarver.

He is back in Wells County this week visiting with his parents, Greg and Louise Mayer, while also doing the fantastic wood carving for the church.

Mayer placed the finishing touches on the huge piece of ash wood Monday evening, and weather permitting, the handsome statue was to be returned today to its original place in front of St. Joseph’s Church on North Main St.

The history of the project dates back about six months ago when the huge ash tree at the church was trimmed back to just a 36-inch diameter, 15-foot high trunk because of power lines in the area.

Then it was suggested that the tree, located exactly in front of the church, would make an excellent place for a carving, and who else but former parishioner Daniel Mayer, with his professional background, as the person to do the job.

Original plans called for the carving to take place at the site, but it was later decided to cut the trunk off and take it to Greg Mayer’s home on County Road 300 North to do the work, where there would be less distractions.

The tree is estimated to be at least 160 years old.

“This tree is still not seasoned, A lot of it is still very green,” Daniel Mayer said, noting that ash wood is much more difficult to work with than other species.

The first step in the process was to strip the bark from the tree and the initial carving took place with chain saws and other power equipment. In the later stages, hand chisels and “whatever tools needed” have been employed to finish the task, Mayer said.

When all the carving was done, Mayer burned the statue with a propane brush burner, to bring out the finish of the wood and get rid of any fuzz trimmings.

The statue was then sealed with a mold protectant.

Mayer expects to have about 100 hours of labor in the statute.

But this is nothing new for him as he has done numerous carvings over the years.

“I have done several 8 to 10 foot statues, but this one is the biggest at 14 feet,” Mayer said.

His father assisted throughout on the Jesus statue, helping to scale and shape the project.

Daniel is an accomplished painter as well as a sculpturer. He has worked with several mediums including oil on canvas, metal work, and graphic design.

He especially favors wood, however, for its natural beauty.

“I have always enjoyed art, but I really think the ability to do something like this came from growing up on a farm and using tools,” Daniel said as he modestly downplayed his unique skill.

Mayer’s carvings are on display at locations all over the United States.

He is as busy as he wants to be, currently with 16 projects on tap after he concludes the Jesus carving.

He recently did a huge wooden bust depicting noted television producer Jerry Bruckheimer and his wife.

To see more of his carvings, go to Mayer’s website at www.kywoodnworks.com.

joe@news-banner.com

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