Two great works of art grace the stairway leading to Jubilee Hall.

The original oil paintings by Geli Korzhev, one of Russia’s most revered artists,are here now permanently for church members and visitors to see, study and ponder. In the Shadow of the Cross is 53 inches high and 85 inches wide (framed) and reflects its title. As Korzhev, who is still living, writes: “A shadow from the cross falls on the ground, on Christ, and on the woman mournfully sitting near him. The shadow of the cross, all the suffering but also a positive hope.” The painting on the other side of the landing is Prophets and the Teachers of Law. In its frame, it is 72 inches high and 92 inches wide, and portrays in heart-wrenching detail a group of prophets and the fallen body of Jesus on the cross.

The paintings arrived by truck from The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis and went up to the fascination of Dr. Howell, other church staffers, members lucky enough to be passing by, and the other half-dozen men responsible for the hanging.

Looking on proudly was long-time church member Van Weatherspoon, whose family located the paintings and helped the church acquire them. How this happened is simple and extraordinary at the same time: On a visit to their daughter, Martha, who lives with her family in Minneapolis, Van and Kay Weatherspoon went to the museum that holds much of Korzhev’s work. The Weatherspoons fell in love with Korzhev and the power of his religious themes, and decided to share the gift of the artist’s talents with their church. One art critic writes of the “nuanced humanism in his work.”

“I’ve always wanted to do something nice for the church,” Van Weatherspoon said as he watched the art go up with members of his family at his side. “Something that would outlive me.”