Sculpture Guide

Located in front of the Roofless Church, this coil-built stoneware arch was executed in 1971 by East Coast artist Bruno La Verdiere and installed in New Harmony in 1988. It was moved to its current location in 1993.

The inscription at the base of the sculpture reads: “This gateway is for all the innocent victims of Wars and oppression throughout the ages and particularly for all the young who have died too soon in this century.”

Chapel of the Little Portion was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. It was designed by Stephen de Staebler and constructed of wood, brick and stucco by brothers of Mount St. Francis, Indiana, and carpenters from The Red Geranium Enterprises, led by Bill Lear.

The Polished steel cross was created by Allen Ditson of Arizona for the exterior south wall.

This bronze statue, located under the dome on the Roofless Church, was created by Jacques Lipchitz.

The inscription in French on the back of it, translates: “Jacob Lipchitz, Jew, faithful to the faith of his ancestors, has made this virgin for the good will of all mankind that the spirit might prevail”. There are two other originals of the statue, one in the Roman Catholic Church of Assy, Haute Savoire, France; the other in the Presbyterian Abbey of Iona, Scotland.

This gleaming bronze figure stands within a 12 foot high rose granite arch, within view of the Macleod Barn – Abbey. Several small stones are placed nearby for meditation. Tobi Kahn is the sculptor.

This painted corten steel figure is the work of Frederick Franck, artist, writer and creator of Pacem in Terris in New York State. Placed by the lake in 2004 a duplicate is located in Assisi, Italy.

Enclosed in a wood and glass case, this ceramic sculpture is the work of Eva Sygulska, wife of the creator of The Crakow Museum. It was commissioned for this south-east wall of The Roofless Church in 1968, and its dedicatory plaque is close by the base of the structure.

This red painted steel sculpture is located on the front lawn of The New Harmony Inn. It was designed by Larry Reising and fabricated by Tom and Elmer Helfrich, all of Posey County, Indiana. Arch Abbot Timothy Sweeney of St. Meinrad’s Arch Abbey presided at the dedication.

This bronze statue is located at the east court of The Roofless Church. It is also called Death and Resurrection. Stephen de Staebler of Berkley, California is the sculptor.

Located northeast of The Roofless Church at the end of Main Street, this stone carving of Our Lady and The Christ Child is from Isle St Louis, France, and the work of an unknown 15th century sculptor. This is New Harmony’s oldest work of art. It was dedicated to the memory of the Trappist Monk, Thomas Merton by a Trustee of The Merton’s trust.

Stephen de Staebler created this commanding stature of the Archangel Gabriel or Gabriela for the south entrance of The Roofless Church. It was dedicated June 10, 1999 by the most Reverend Marcel Rooney, Primate of The Benedictine Confederation, Rome.

This font was created by William Schickel of Ohio for the east court of The Roofless Court in 1995. The inscription reads: “In celebration of all grandparents for the great goodness that flows through + from them.”

This bronze and glass fountain is located in Church Park, the site of the former Cruciform Harmonist Church, and was dedicated to the memory of Kenneth Dale Owen in 2003. Don Gummer is the sculptor.

This sculpture is by David Kocka, a former Franciscan monk. It is located at east end of the lake behind the Inn, on a small hill. Pope John Paul declared St. Francis the Patron Saint of Environment.

The memorial garden was dedicated in 1982 to the memory of Carol Owen Coleman 1944-1979, daughter of Kenneth and Jane Blaffer Owen, in 1982.

The Fountain of Life is located in the center of Carol’s Garden beneath a stunning canopy of Bradford pear trees. The peaceful fountain and its two accompanying benches were made with Indiana limestone by Sculptor David Rogers of Bloomington, Indiana. The designer of this beautiful garden is Jane Blaffer Owen.’

You’ll never feel more at peace than in this shady garden. The fragrant hostas and sound of water are enchanting to the senses. It is the perfect place to relax and soak up the beauty of nature.