Richard Heitzenrater: Theologian & Craftsman
August 1, 2007
When Wesley scholar Richard Heitzenrater is not engaged in teaching, research or writing, he’s likely working wood.
A master craftsman, Heitzenrater’s contributions to the Divinity School date from his student days. While working on his master of divinity degree, he designed the school’s boat and cross symbol, which is carved in limestone above the Kilgo Portico. In 2005, he created “Redemption,” one of a series of artworks commissioned by the Divinity School for its new addition. Carved from a black locust tree, the cross hangs in the Jones Prayer Room of the Westbrook Building.
His latest work reflects a skilled artisan’s solution for what Associate Dean for Student Services Greg Duncan thought was a simple problem: the school needed a bulletin board for the entrance of the Westbrook Building that would help keep visitors, students and staff abreast of events and activities.
“I envisioned something like two wooden legs with a piece of plywood nailed between them,” said Duncan. “Instead, we received a beautiful piece of furniture skillfully crafted. This is a gift made in the spirit of deep love for our school.”
Heitzenrater designed and completed the portable three-sided unit over 18 months. He decided upon an oak frame to match the surrounding wood in the Westbrook Building, and, in keeping with his usual practice, used as much recycled wood as possible. The end result includes wood from Duke Chapel, from trees felled by hurricane Fran, and from forest debris in the mountains.
“Eric Gill, the famous type designer and sculptor, once noted that if a piece is perfect, no one can tell that it is hand made,” said Heitzenrater, who is William Kellon Quick professor of church history and Wesley studies.
“This piece has several features that carry out that theme: one nail hole that is not filled, one or two boards that twisted after planning and don’t fit exactly right, some quarter round that has router variations, and probably other fairly minor faults that a careful eye will spot.”
Materials used for the bulletin board project