On the grounds of the St. John Catholic Center are several sculptures. Today’s entry focuses on the statue which is the focal point of the campus. The statue of St. John the Baptist sits in front of the Morris Hall. The campus was founded in the Heights in 1916.
St. John is depicted holding a crucifix in one hand. With the other hand he is pointing to the sky in the manner of an exhortation. At his feet is a lamb looking up at him. Interestingly, for a person who is depicted in the Bible as wearing camel’s hair, this John is wearing a robe.
Once, St. John the Baptist watched over the seminarians on the campus. Today he is more likely to watch over the various walkers, joggers, pets and others who use the greenspace on the grounds. In addition, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra offices are currently located in a building on the St. John campus.
The statue was erected in memory of Thomas Lafferty an early Little Rock business leader.
