Our World – Oral Roberts University Praying Hands

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The 60 feet tall, 30 ton bronze Praying Hands sculpture at Oral Roberts University is by sculptor Leonard McMurry and was cast in Ciudad Juarez Mexico in 1980. Originally they were placed in front of ORU’s City of Faith Medical Center but were moved to their present place on campus in 1991 well after the medical school became defunct. 

Praying Hands Sculpture - Oral Roberts University

Although they are popularly called Praying Hands, the official name of the piece is “Healing Hands.” Supposedly it is the largest bronze sculpture in the world.

Praying Hands - Oral Roberts University, Tulsa

It has a lot of visitors and one of the “must see” things if you visit Tulsa. The university has a small free parking lot next door. While there you can walk around the campus and see the some of the space age buildings that it is famous for.

Our World Tuesday

13 thoughts on “Our World – Oral Roberts University Praying Hands”

  1. Leedslass

    I believe I’ve seen this sculpture before on Bill’s site and they’re more than worthy of seeing again. What surprises me is they’re the largest bronze – somehow I would have expected bronze statuary, somewhere in the world, to exceed these. Whatever, they make very peaceful and thought-provoking viewing.

  6. DrillerAA09

    I think it goes without saying that the inspiration for this sculpture was albrecht durer’s drawing entitled “Praying Hands”. Since Oral Roberts began his ministry as a charismatic “faith healer” evangelist and the City of Faith medical center was to be the crown jewel on the ORU campus, it only seemed fitting that the sculpture be titled Healing Hands.

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