Jesus of the Dinosaurs

This 30-foot-statue of Jesus was once part of a Prehistoric Park. marypaulettemcdonogh (Atlas Obscura User)

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In the sprawling expanse of the Canadian Badlands, this imposting 30-foot-statue of Christ the Redeemer stands watch. Over the decades, Drumheller’s Jesus statue has weathered, to the point where it almost blends in with the surrounding rock.

Curiously, the flock that this figure once tended wasn’t exactly what a Biblical scholar might expect. The statue is actually one of the few surviving relics of a Christian-themed Prehistoric Park that closed in the 1980s. The park, which was a project by local artist Tig Seland, included 30-odd “cementasauruses” in its heydey.

For decades, many of these dinos wound up residing in Drumheller’s town center. Eventually, local fan favorites like “Batman Dino” had to be retired. Nevertheless, Jesus remains standing alone on the hilltop.

Know Before You Go

The Jesus statue is located southwest of downtown Drumheller. Follow Hwy 575/S. Dinosaur Trail, then turn south onto Premier Rd. Drive. Turn right on Premier Crescent, then follow the road until it dead-ends. On a clear day, you should see Jesus in the distance.

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