From the Stokes autobiography. Blogfinger scan.
Ellwood H. Stokes bronze after the “Founding Father’s” power wash. Ocean Grove. Paul Goldfinger.photo, 9/26/22.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor. Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ
Rev. E.H. Stokes was the first president of Ocean Grove’s Camp Meeting Association . He served from 1869-1897–when he died. “Stokes was a man of letters: poet, composer of hymns and an author. He was beloved by the people of Ocean Grove.”*
He wrote an autobiography called “Footprints in My Own Life” which was published in 1898 by M.W. & C. Pennypacker of Asbury Park.
When the Auditorium was completed in 1894, Stokes gave the first sermon.
His bronze statue which sits on a granite base in front of the Great Auditorium was sculpted by Paul W. Morris and was unveiled in 1905. The total cost was $10,000.00
Stokes almost completed his autobiography when he died. The last chapter, “A Tribute, ” was written by his colleague Rev. Dr. A.E. Ballard. The last paragraph reads:
“Whatever may come in the future—however much the forms and customs may change as they have already changed—the names of Ellwood H. Stokes and Ocean Grove will stand together while time has a history or eternity a record.”
Yesterday, September 25, 2022, a crew of workers arrived to clean the Stokes statue. They used power washing and “chemicals.”
The statue looks great, and it never winces or looks askance. The bronze Stokes has withstood Superstorm Sandy, thousands of shoppers milling around at the Giant Flea Market, and a beautiful young yoga instructor who just moved into town and stood on her head, motionless, near his statue. Nobody chased her away. (Remember “yogagate?”)
This is Grace, a new Grover, putting on a yoga exhibit near Stokes. August 2021. . Paul Goldfinger photo. EHS didn’t mind. After all, as noted above, change in OG is inevitable, and Grace is part of the” OG Underground.”–a new young secular demographic in town.
* This information is from the Rutgers University library.
MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR:
The usual way of treating outdoor bronzes is to blast them with pulverized walnut shells. Chemicals are then applied with heat to create a protective patina of a desired color. These range from golden brown to black, verdigris green, and even blue. When finished the whole receives a coating of beeswax that should be renewed annually. The photo shows a very odd color scheme. Perhaps it is not yet completed.