St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Mystery of Faith, 1977

In the spring of 1972, Father J. Faulton Hodge met the artist, Benjamin F. Long (Ben), at the home of Phillip Moose, a prominent artist in Blowing Rock. Mr. Moose and Father hodge discussed for 15 minutes the plan of Mr. Long building the fresco for free. In spring of 1974 Ben contacted Fr. Hodge, saying that he was ready to do the fresco they had discussed.

In the summer of 1976 Ben returned to paint John the Baptist. The Mystery of Faith was done in the summer of 1977. It is said that Ben never quit working on the fresco even during the middle of church. He did stop to accept communion but then went right back to work.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 400 Beaver Creek School, West Jefferson, NC 28694  -  Directions: From Wilkesboro take NC 16 N, turn left on 163, travel to the second stop light and turn left on Beaver Creek School Rd and go approximately 1/2 mile.