Carving Commission for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) in New Orleans, Louisiana

I received an email from a gentleman in Louisiana, a church organist (college professor, business owner, etc.) who, along with a number of other hardworking people, is rebuilding a pipe organ and wanted to know about a carving of a Luther Rose to put on the front (click on the picture for more information on the pipe organ). The committee he represented was interested in something simple yet elegant. After discussion of size requirements and required delivery schedule, I set to work. This will be a photographic journey through the project...

This is a glued up panel of 5/4 clear pine measuring slightly more than the required 24" diameter.

I opted for a standard glue joint instead of using biscuits in order to get as much glue surface as possible.

I cut the panel out on the band saw and sanded the edge.

This is what it looked like with the drawing completed before I started the actual carving process.

I started out by cutting around the body of the rose, beveling in from the outside border.

As you can see in this photo, I am starting to add detail to the center section of the design.

Close-up shows how it will pick up shadows when hung.

Here it is - all ready for shipping! You will notice that there is no finish or stain on the carving as the customer is going to finish it to match the interior of the church.

The fine folks at Prince of Peace were nice enough to furnish these following pictures, helping to continue the journey. Thank you again! It was a genuine pleasure working with such a wonderful group of people!

One of the Organ Crew members (smartly dressed in his official organ crew shirt) is using the original drawing of the carving to line it up for the placement of the finished carving.

Here is the carving, mounted in it's final position!