Dr. Derik E. Jones, left, and Dr. Dwight C. Jones, pastors of First Baptist Church of South Richmond, get a closer look at the new bronze sculpture “Hope Empowered by the Truth” with its creator, local artist Kathleen Lowry. The 150-pound sculpture was unveiled at the Decatur Street church on Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, during a ceremony viewed online by more than 200 people. Ms. Lowry donated the piece to the church after attending the socially distanced kickoff last September of First Baptist’s yearlong 200th anniversary celebration. She said the church seemed like the perfect home for the sculpture. “It is recognition of the work you do every day to promote peace in our country,” she said during Monday’s event. “Martin Luther King knew what would be necessary — faith, hopefulness, truth-telling, courage, resilience, kindness and forgiveness. And that is what you are doing and being in the struggle for equality and peace. It is an extremely tall order.” Members of the congregation will be able to see the artwork once the church reopens for in-person worship service. The church has held virtual services because of the pandemic.
