The Silent Ministry
of St. John

The statement “a picture is worth a thousand words” is certainly true as you walk through the facility of St. John.  Although no words are spoken, the gospel of Jesus is communicated constantly through the various works of art found in both the church and school.

The elegant stained glass windows and Christian symbols surround us as we worship, reminding us about God’s plan for the salvation of the whole world.  And likewise, the school classrooms also depict the life and ministry of the disciples through the crafting of the mosaic panels. 

As you move around the building, stop, and take note, not only of the beauty of the art, but also the powerful messages that are portrayed.

Mosiacs

St. John Lutheran Church in Forest Park is home to a one-of-a-kind art collection. Thirteen mosaics depicting the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ hang in the classrooms of the school. Artist Reinhold Marxhausen created the mosaics in 1964 for the school’s dedication. Each of the disciples is represented in an individual mosaic and a final piece titled “The Great Catch” depicts Jesus calling his followers.

From 1951 until his retirement in 1989, Marxhausen taught at Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska. He was the art department’s first chairperson and fully trained artist and, during his tenure, mentored hundreds of students. During this time, Marxhausen gained national recognition by exhibiting his artwork and embarking on a nationwide tour to give talks and hands-on seminars at churches and schools. His most well-known works span the scale from two giant mosaic murals in the Nebraska State Capitol building to the charming, pocket-size sound sculptures called Stardust.

Click on the Mosaic title to see the story it tells.