The “Good Shepherd” Watches Over Bernardsville, New Jersey
Driving along historic Route 202, you can see Henry Robinson’s wood-carved ” The Good Shepherd” on the Meadowbrook Farm. Robinson’s second large outdoor project stands 24 feet tall in the Meadowbrook Farm field. Over 23 years, artist Harry Robinson created over 50 statues and was the only artist who made beautiful sculptures, transforming fallen trees into works of art. With the Gentle Shepherd Nursery School just across the roadway from the statue.
I can’t help remember my children coming out of nursery school and always stopping to say hi to the iconic shepherd in the field.
Area resident, Brooks Betz
Robinson moved to Bernardsville around 1978 and retired as a structural engineer in 1989. His primarily figurative work is noted for its use of grain patterns and natural configurations of branches, trunks, and bark—the rough-chiseled finish incorporated with his humor. He was a Somerset Hills Art Association trustee and a Somerset Hills Adult School instructor. He also gave demonstrations of wood carving at the Bernards Township Library.
Robinson was also an elder with the Bernardsville Presbyterian Church. Robinson said he had no favorite sculpture: “That would be like picking a favorite child, I guess.” But when pressed, he did say the Good Shepherd was his most challenging and rewarding.
Many don’t know there have been two “Good Shepherd” statues. The one from 1979 eventually rotted and was taken down in March 2007. The second one is a 24-foot-tall statue carved after a five-year process led by Henry W. Ruschmann, who described the extensive project during a dedication service in 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church of Bernardsville.
The Good Shepherd finally returned to his rightful place, looking over his flock from his Bernardsville perch.
Henry Ruschmann and the new Good Shepherd – 2013
In 2013, the 24-foot-tall statue was restored after a five-year process led by Henry Ruschmann, who grew up on the Meadowbrook Farm. He described the extensive project during the dedication service on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church of Bernardsville. The church pastor, the Rev. Chester Kim, led the outdoor ceremony for about 50 residents.
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Harry was a great guy. I took a carving class with him at Bernard’s high school in the late 70s and early 80s. He did my uncle's statue in Liberty Corner, “The Mountain Man” and many others.
When I was running marathons, that’s around where one of my routes would end. Hence, he’s been Finish Line Jesus to me for over 25 years.
Every time I pass this, I can't help but think, "I found Jesus! He really is out there standing in his field...