The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts

A number of Ben Long’s students assisted in the painting of the frescoes. Bo Bartlett, one of Long’s students and 19 at the time, painted a portrayal of Christ in 1975 after being inspired by a story about a priest who had made a miraculous recovery from a stroke. The stricken priest, while on his deathbed, had a vision of Christ laughing – not at him but with him as the healing was taking place. Bartlett wanted to portray his Lord as a happy, joyous person. His painting, the "Laughing Christ", now hangs in the chapel of St. Mary’s.

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Photo by Fred Carey.




The Parish of the Holy Communion P.O. Box 177 Glendale Springs, NC 28629 (336) 982-3076 St. Mary’s Episcopal Church N.C. Highway 194 West Jefferson, NC 28694 Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 120 Glendale School Road (N.C. Highway 16) Glendale Springs, NC 28629 Rev. Stephen A. Miller – Rector Rev. Shirley Long – Deacon		St. Mary’s Episcopal Church A number of Ben Long’s students assisted in the painting of the frescoes. Bo Bartlett, one of Long’s students and 19 at the time, painted a portrayal of Christ in 1975 after being inspired by a story about a priest who had made a miraculous recovery from a stroke. The stricken priest, while on his deathbed, had a vision of Christ laughing – not at him but with him as the healing was taking place. Bartlett wanted to portray his Lord as a happy, joyous person. His painting, the "Laughing Christ", now hangs in the chapel of St. Mary’s. 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 Photo by Fred Carey.


	© 2002 The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts