SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A pine tree that partially obstructed the view of a Maine church mural referred to as “Googley-Eyed Jesus,” has been removed.
The section of the mural on Holy Cross Church in South Portland that was obstructed depicted Christ looking towards the heavens with his eyes rolled back during the crucifixion, Bangor Daily News reported. The remaining portion that depicted the resurrection and ascension remained visible.
The enamel and steel mural was created by artist John Laberge in 1980.
The mural became controversial 20 years later when some locals and parishioners said it was “creepy” and asked for it to be removed. Others disagreed and Laberge refused to change the mural and said he would fight attempts to have it removed. The tree appeared sometime after.
Monsignor Michael Henchal told the Portland Press Herald in 2016 that the tree was planted before he oversaw the parish and that no one on his staff knew how or when it was planted.
Amy Simpson Tavano, who posted a photo on Facebook of the tree’s removal, wrote that she’d seen the “tree planted, watch the tree grow, plot the tree’s death and see my wishes fulfilled.”
The Portland Roman Catholic Diocese could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.