Look Inside

The Church -- Founded in the late 1800s by Danish immigrants, Bethany Lutheran Church has a mainly Danish-American congregation, many of whom trace their roots to the original founding church members. The railroad brought many early immigrants of all backgrounds into Webster Groves, and the Danes with their carpentery and artistic skills were among them. Bethany was built by hand by those early members, and their children helped raise money to buy the church's bell.

The Painting -- The image that hangs behind the alter, "Jesus, Mary and Martha at Bethany," is the work of Danish immigrant Bernhardt Ludvig Hillig. This work of art has been gracing the church for over 100 years and shares Jesus' message that it is more important to feast on what is spirtutual, than what is earthly.

On Sept. 21, 1903, Hillig arrived in the United States from his native Copenhagen. According to his grandson, Thomas Cranley, Hillig had obtained a commission to work on the St. Louis World's Fair, set to open in Forest Park in 1904. The artist was offered lodging at the parsonage of Bethany Lutheran. In exchange for his room and board, he agreed to create a painting for the church.

"Bernhardt painted the interior of many churches, mostly in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan, from 1903 to about 1934," said Cranley, a resident of Washington state. "He was born in Nordhausen, Germany, in 1868, but grew up in Copenhagen. He attended art school there, and developed his skills there."

The Restoration -- "Jesus, Mary and Martha at Bethany," was recently painstakingly restored, much to the delight of church members, art historians, and the community. Jerry Thomas, a noted local artist and restoration expert, completed the restoration of the century-old painting.

The painting is large - a half-circle about 15 1/2 feet wide, by 9 1/4 feet at the center. It was painted on sailcloth canvas, tacked to stretchers, then attached to the wall. The sailcloth was used, Thomas surmised, because it was big enough to accommodate the painting without seams.

"He has made Jesus with the lightest colors, so he is the predominant figure," explained Thomas. "Mary is painted in softer colors, and Martha is painted in lower value and lower contrast colors - more grey. It is beautifully drawn. The perspective is amazing."

"It's an incredible painting," Thomas said. "The artist was a master of human anatomy. It was very accurately done."

Now that the restoration is complete, visitors can enjoy Hillig's work in its original pristine glory.

The Ship -- Hanging from the choir loft is a beautifully executed wood carving of a Viking ship, created by Bonnie Rasmussen, another talented local artist. Bonnie's grandfather, Peter Rasmussen, helped found the church.

This kind of ship is a common feature in Danish churches, reflecting both a Viking seafaring past and a metaphor for modern Christianity, in Christ Jesus we are all one.

Thanks to Fran Mannino who contributed to this story. Photos by Diana Linsley, courtesy of Webster-Kirkwood Times.