Desert Christ Park
The Desert Christ Park is a sculpture garden on a south facing slope overlooking Yucca Valley. The sculptor was Frank Antone Martin whose first vision was to create a Christ-like figure to overlook the Grand Canyon. When church/state issues prevented that placement, the “Desert Pastor” Rev. Eddie Garver proposed that the 5 ton statue be placed on his Yucca Valley Community Church property. Martin’s “Unwanted Christ” statue drew national attention when Life Magazine covered the entire story and the statue’s new home in their April 23, 1951 issue. The Desert Christ Park was then dedicated on Easter Sunday of that year. Martin moved to the community and eventually created 40 more snow white sculptures depicting Christ’s life and teachings.
Yucca Valley, San Bernardino County
Photographer: Al Russell