God in the City: Religious Imagery in the City of Detroit

Separation of church and state?  Once upon a time, our national and local governments were not afraid to allow religious expression in public buildings, parks, and offices.  Two such public images are Marshall Fredericks’ The Spirit of Detroit, symbol of hope for the city, and Swedish-born sculptor Carl Milles’ Hand of God, a memorial tribute to Frank Murphy.    

THE SPIRIT OF DETROIT

Affectionately dubbed the “Jolly Green Giant,” The Spirit of Detroit sits cross-legged on Woodward Avenue, the long concrete zipper that divides Detroit into east and west.  A hunky bronze superhero, The Spirit of Detroit guards the milky marble edifice once called the City-County Building, but now renamed in honor of Detroit’s former mayor, Coleman A. Young.

Created by artist Marshall Fredericks and installed in 1958, The Spirit of Detroit was inspired after 2 Corinthians 3:17: 

“Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 

“I tried to express the spirit of man,” explained Fredericks, “through the deity and the family.”

The Spirit of Detroit stands 26’ tall—or rather, sits 26 feet tall.  Were he to stretch his burly legs and stroll across Woodward Avenue to court the lithe bronze dancer in front of the Gas Company building, he’d probably reach a full 35 feet in height.  The large seated figure holds in its left hand a gilt sphere emanating rays, intended by Fredericks to symbolize God and creation.  In its right hand is a family group, symbolizing all human relationships. 

On the curved wall behind the statue are the seals of the city and the county. A plaque in front of the sculpture is inscribed,

“The artist expresses the concept that God, through the spirit of man is manifested in the family, the noblest human relationship.”

HAND OF GOD

Another expression of faith displayed unapologetically in the public square is Carl Milles’ Hand of God–a tribute to Detroit’s iconic public figure, William Francis (Frank) Murphy.

Frank Murphy held more public posts than any other Michigan native.  At the time of his death in 1949, he had served as governor, judge, U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, U.S. Attorney General, Detroit mayor, and Philippines high commissioner. 

He was a friend to organized labor, supporting the United Auto Workers during the tumultous years when unions were just forming.  The $65,000 statue was largely funded by contributions from labor unions and workers. 

The sculpture depicts a giant left hand, fingers outstretched.  A nude male figure stands atop the thumb and forefinger—his hands extended in surprise.  At the time the statue was presented to the city, some critics were offended by the nudity; so the statue was not immediately displayed.  Eleven years after its completion, with the support of Marshall Fredericks, Milles’ creation was mounted on a black marble block and finally exhibited in front of Detroit’s Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.

It’s reported that sculptor Milles gave several different explanations for the piece.  One popular story is that when asked about its meaning, Milles replied:

God the Father told the young man:  Look around the world and then make something good out of your life.