World's Largest Praying Hands
Tulsa, Oklahoma
These mighty haymakers stand 60 feet high and weigh 30 tons, the largest bronze sculpture in the world. One would like to imagine that they are strong, American hands -- Oklahoma artist Leonard McMurry, used a neighbor as his model -- but the huge casting was accomplished in Mexico in 1980.
The hands were originally called "The Healing Hands" and they stood in front of Oral Roberts' "City of Faith," a medical center devoted to faith healing. Then the City of Faith wound up on the short end of a series of lawsuits and declared bankruptcy in 1989. The hands were then moved to the entrance drive of Oral Roberts University. Also on the property is the Oral Roberts Prayer Tower.
The City of Faith is now known as CityPlex Towers, and it houses corporate tenants. Its central tower stands 640 feet tall, which, Oral said, is the same height as the Jesus who appeared to Oral in a dream and told him to build it.