Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, PA - Spiritual Significance of Physical Places

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1 RESERVOIR PARK ________________________________________________ THE HIGH PLACE IN THE CITY OF HARRISBURG A SIGNIFICANT PLACE IN THE HARRISBURG REGION ________________________________________________ ____________________________ Prepared by: James Eugene Barbush Former Address Current Address 2448 Emerald Court 2021 Blue Mountain Parkway Emerald Point Harrisburg, PA 17112 Harrisburg, PA 17104 717-514-5549 717-232-9388 [email protected] December 1993 (Revised January 28, 1995) Edits made December 8, 2012 (Original was written prior to Construction of Civil War Museum and Other Items)

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RESERVOIR PARK THE HIGH PLACE IN THE CITY OF HARRISBURG A SIGNIFICANT PLACE IN THE HARRISBURG REGION Prepared by: James Eugene Barbush Former Address Current Address 2448 Emerald Court 2021 Blue Mountain Parkway Emerald Point Harrisburg, PA 17112 Harrisburg, PA 17104 717-514-5549 717-232-9388 [email protected] Written in December 1993 Revised January 28, 1995 Edited December 8, 2012 Original was written prior to Construction of Civil War Museum and Other Items

Transcript of Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, PA - Spiritual Significance of Physical Places

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RESERVOIR PARK

________________________________________________

THE HIGH PLACE

IN THE CITY OF HARRISBURG

A SIGNIFICANT PLACE

IN THE HARRISBURG REGION

________________________________________________

____________________________

Prepared by:

James Eugene Barbush

Former Address Current Address

2448 Emerald Court 2021 Blue Mountain Parkway Emerald Point Harrisburg, PA 17112

Harrisburg, PA 17104 717-514-5549 717-232-9388 [email protected]

December 1993 (Revised January 28, 1995)

Edits made December 8, 2012

(Original was written prior to Construction of Civil War Museum and Other Items)

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RESERVOIR PARK

T H E H I G H P L A C E IN THE CITY OF HARRISBURG

A SIGNIFICANT PLACE IN THE HARRISBURG REGION

I N D E X

I. INTRODUCTION

II. DESCRIPTION OF RESERVOIR PARK

III. LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY

A. LOCATION

B. GEOGRAPHY (THE HIGHEST PLACE IN THE CITY)

IV. HISTORY OF RESERVOIR PARK

V. SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL FEATURES & THEIR SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

A. RESERVOIR PARK'S ELEVATION

B. RESERVOIRS CONTAINED WITHIN RESERVOIR PARK.

C. TWELVE TREES & A PAVED CIRCLE AT THE TOP OF RESERVOIR PARK

D. MONUMENTS AND STATUES CONSTRUCTED IN 1893 AND 1993

VI. MONUMENTS AND STATUES CONSTRUCTED IN 1893 AND 1993

A. "DETWEILER MONUMENT" GRANITE MONUMENT, BUILT 1893

B. "EVOLUTION" THE BRONZE STATUE OF A NAKED LADY, BUILT 1993

C. "PARK MOTHER" THE STATUE OF A CAPED WOMAN, BUILT 1993

D. WHY THE RESTORED MONUMENT AND THE NEW STATUES?

VII. THE GATES OF THE CITY OF HARRISBURG

VIII. SUMMARY & CALL TO ACTION

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RESERVOIR PARK

T H E H I G H P L A C E IN THE CITY OF HARRISBURG

A SIGNIFICANT PLACE IN THE HARRISBURG REGION

I. INTRODUCTION

Today is an exciting time in the history of Harrisburg, an exciting time in my life and the lives of other Christians who live in the City of Harrisburg and in the Harrisburg region. During the weekend from Friday through Sunday, November 19 through November 21, 1993, events occurred in the City of Harrisburg where Christians from all over the region worshipped and prayed to the Lord. The events were conducted by Kent Henry and hosted by local churches, Word Fellowship Christian Center of Harrisburg and Christ Community Church of Camp Hill.

The weekend was notable because the significance that some Christians believe the Lord has attributed to the City of Harrisburg is no longer only known by a few people in the city, no longer only known by a few churches in the region, no longer understood by only a few, and no longer known by Christians that are scattered and not connected. The belief that the City of Harrisburg is a key place in the Lord's plans has now been broadcast to the Body of Christ in unity. Therefore, those Christians who have sensed the significance of Harrisburg can be encouraged because the Lord has now broadcast to the Body of Christ what they have known in their hearts for some time. The things that the Lord has prepared them for are now being revealed to the body at large. More believers in the body will understand what is happening in the physical and in the spirit, and what is being talked about because the Lord has spoken them to the body at large.

A prophecy, given to Rick Ridings prior to the weekend, was broadcast to the Body of Christ in attendance at the events of the weekend. The prophecy said that

if we seek the Lord, He will attribute to the City of Harrisburg the name - "The City of

Holiness", and attribute to Camp Hill the name - "The Camp of the Lord"

This prophecy has been told to Christians from all over the region.

Because of the understanding received by the body during the weekend of worship and prayer, and because of the unity that was entered into during the weekend, there are additional things about the City of Harrisburg that can now be brought forth. That is what this paper is about.

I want to tell you about a significant place in the City of Harrisburg and why it is significant.

I also want to suggest what the Body of Christ needs to do concerning that place.

During 2 or 3 years in the early 1990s, the church in the Harrisburg region has focused on City Island. City Island, an island in the middle of the Susquehanna River, a bridge between the East Shore and the West Shore, is a significant place in the City of Harrisburg. Because the Body of Christ has been uniting in its focus on City Island, changes have occurred in the spiritual atmosphere throughout Harrisburg. Testimonies of those changes happening around the city have been heard.

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Another significant place in the City of Harrisburg is Reservoir Park, the high place in the city, a place that was been closed for many years, a place that was restored and re-opened again. Reservoir Park is the place that I want to tell you about. I want to give you some facts and insight about the park, some history, and some startling facts about what is happening in the park today. What I tell you should let you know or further confirm to you that

Reservoir Park is a very significant place in The City of Harrisburg and in the Harrisburg region.

Reservoir Park is a place that the Body of Christ needs to add to her focus list.

The things that I will tell you come from published information and from my own experience as a life long resident of the City of Harrisburg, and my own experiences as a Christian.

The Lord is making things clear to His body, in His time, and in His way. Hallelujah!!

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II. DESCRIPTION OF RESERVOIR PARK

Reservoir Park is named for the function that it serves. The park contains the reservoirs that serve the City's water needs. There are two reservoirs in the park.

There is a visible, covered reservoir located on the park's west side. The reservoir appears to be an empty basin, but the visible part of the reservoir is its cover. The cover is shaped like a rectangular bowl. Under that cover is the stored water.

There is also a buried reservoir located at the top of the park. There is a large field at the top of the park that is grass covered, surrounded by trees, and available to the public for recreation. Underneath the field is the reservoir. The noticeable evidences that there is something underneath are several manholes which extend out of the ground in the field. When standing at two manholes located along the north edge of the field, you can hear the sound of rushing water below. (before the NCWM)

Reservoir Park is a 90 acre park having points overlooking the City of Harrisburg and the surrounding

area. This is Harrisburg's largest public facility. The park has rolling hills, an abundance of large grassy areas, paved roads, and recreational facilities. There is an outdoor band shell, playgrounds, and buildings for the teaching, display, and creation of art.

As described in the October 1993 issue of "Center City News", a monthly publication by the Downtown Harrisburg Association, Reservoir Park is fast becoming "A JEWEL IN THE CITY'S CROWN". This description has been attributed to the park since the city has undertook a two phase Park Rehabilitation Program. The $1.6 million Phase I portion of the program was completed, followed by Phase II completed in late 1994.

Reservoir Park is discussed in a unique book about Harrisburg that was written over 65 years ago. The book is beautifully titled "Harrisburg: The City Beautiful, Romantic And Historic". The book was written by Dr. George P. Donehoo and copyrighted by E. J. Stackpole in 1927. The opening paragraph of Chapter One immediately caught my attention as the author tells the reader

"...go up to the high point in Reservoir Park and let your eyes sweep over the marvelous

panorama which is spread out before you...".

Having been at the high point and prayed there, I was struck by what the author wrote. The book leads the reader to appreciate everything about Harrisburg that the title suggests. The author wrote an historical account, but he told about the beauty of Harrisburg, its Capitol, and its history in such a way that one who is a lover of the city and who has persevered with the city to feel an even stronger passion toward the city. I encourage Christians in Harrisburg and in the surrounding region to read that book, go up to that high place, see the city and the surrounding region. I encourage them to pray and meditate on the Word and receive more understanding of what the Lord has planned for this area. There are copies of the book in local libraries. I also have copies.

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III. LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY

A. LOCATION

LOCATION. Reservoir Park is located within Harrisburg's city limits, approximately 1 mile in a northwest direction from the back of Pennsylvania's Capitol Complex. When standing at the back of the Capitol, on the balcony that overlooks the fountain which is on Commonwealth Avenue, Reservoir Park is straight ahead and to the right of State Street.

ENTRANCES. Reservoir Park is bounded by Walnut Street to the north and Market Street to the south. The western point of the park touches 18th Street and the east side faces the Borough of Penbrook. There are 5 entrances to the park.

Two entrances are currently open - the main entrance on Walnut Street (very near to and seen from State Street) and an entrance located east of Bishop McDevitt on Market Street.

Three entrances are currently closed - one entrance on Market Street to the west of Bishop McDevitt, an entrance on 18th Street that has two tall sandstone pillars on each side of the road, and an eastern entrance. The main entrance was refurbished during Phase I of the Rehabilitation Program.

SURROUNDINGS. Most of the park is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and apartments. To the south along Market Street, the park is bounded by Bishop McDevitt High School, the high school I graduated from in 1967. The school's football field, behind the school's twin towered main building, is adjacent to park property. The school building and football field are just below Reservoir Park's highest look out point. Along the park's northern boundary, across from the main entrance to the park, located between Walnut Street and State Street, is the recently remodeled Park Side Cafe.

B. GEOGRAPHY (THE HIGHEST PLACE IN THE CITY)

Reservoir Park is the highest land elevation in the City of Harrisburg and in much of the surrounding region. The "U. S. Geodetic Survey Map, Steelton Quadrangle" , indicates the location of a bench mark on the top of Reservoir Park with an elevation of 610 feet above sea

level. For a comparison of the highest elevation in Reservoir Park to that of other high places in some of the surrounding areas, see the table below. The information is taken from the survey map mentioned above.

Reservoir Park Elevation 610

Steelton Elevation 515

Negley Park, Lemoyne Elevation 500

Enola Elevation 460

Camp Hill Elevation 440

New Cumberland Elevation 400

The Capitol Complex Elevation 365 City Island Elevation 310

The Susquehanna River's Edge Elevation 300

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IV. HISTORY OF RESERVOIR PARK (A Personal Perspective)

Reservoir Park was at one time used by residents as a place of recreation. There were public events at the band shell, picnics at the pavilion and on the grassy slopes, and general recreation throughout the park. This is the park where my father took me sledding as a young child. The eastern side of the park has basketball courts that have always been heavily used. On the flattop, the highest point in the park, the large field was used for neighborhood football. Also, in the asphalt circle at the top, there were functions held, much like the John Harris High School dance that I will refer to later in this article. Before City Island was used for Fourth of July celebrations, the park was used to set off the fireworks that were viewed by residents throughout the region. Reservoir Park was just a nice place to go at any time of the day or night to have fun, relax, be with family, or to just sit and contemplate.

During my high school years (1960s), I remember the roads of the park being used in the evenings by teenagers. Parked cars would be lined, bumper to bumper, along the edges of the roads, especially at the top of the park where there was a good view of the city's night lights,

I remember when the park was used heavily for picnics. Cars were parked along the roads and picnic blankets covered the slopes. But things got out of control. People parked cars on the grass, trash was left everywhere, empty alcohol bottles littered the edges of the roads, and broken glass was scattered throughout. Reservoir Park was no longer a nice place to go. I don't know how long this went on, but eventually the park was closed. All entrances were closed and access to the park was limited. For many years, the residents of the city no longer went to the park. The park was abandoned.

Eventually, years later, the gates of one or two of the entrances were opened. The park was not officially reopened, but you could drive into the park. Even though the park was still in a deteriorated condition, a lover of the City of Harrisburg could once again enjoy the use of the park, even though that use was limited. In 1987, I began to frequent the park on foot. I would pray at the band shell. I would meet homeless men who used the old and dilapidated buildings as their homes. They hid their belongings in the bushes, on the porch of the old mansion, or around the old picnic pavilion. Some met at the picnic pavilion to talk. One young man's name was Rich. He was from Steelton. Nobody would bother him and the other homeless staying in Reservoir Park because few people went there. I once had a divine appointment with a woman named Phyllis who lived across State Street in the women's quarters of Bethesda Mission. She was sitting at the band shell praying to the Lord for direction in her life. We prayed that day. About two years later, she was back on her feet and we met at Word Fellowship Christian Center.

At the time, many areas of the City of Harrisburg had been restored and others were in the process of being restored. Things began to happen in the park indicating that restoration was beginning in Reservoir Park. I was excited to know that the park was going to become useful and accessible again, and that more land in the city was being restored. The band shell was once again being used by different groups. Christian groups and other groups used the band shell regularly. That was refreshing and yet there was strong evidence that if Reservoir Park was to be restored, it would take work and involvement to maintain the integrity of the place. This was shown to me one weekend when I took my family to Reservoir Park on a Saturday evening, attracted by the crowds that were there. That evening there was a rock concert being held at the band shell. The place was covered with people with their cars parked everywhere. With two way traffic on the one ways roads, maneuverability in our car was difficult. There was a lot of drinking going on. I left as soon as I could. This is not the atmosphere that I wanted my family to be in. The next day, Sunday morning, I returned to the park to see the aftermath. There were cases and cases of empty beer bottles all over the slope in front of the band shell. I had never

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seen anything like it before. There was someone from the city cleaning up. I knew then that the good work that had been done in the park could be lost quickly if this sort of gathering was allowed to continue. Fortunately, since that concert, there has not another one like it.

Around the turn of the decade and through 1992, miscellaneous restoration continued. Phase I of the Restoration Program started in late 1992 and was completed in 1993. The band shell was restored. The mansion was completely restored and converted turned into an art gallery and office space. Other small buildings were constructed for the teaching of arts and crafts. The picnic pavilion and the playgrounds were restored. Sidewalks were constructed and some roads were repaired. City police and park officers began patrolling the park. With these restorations and patrols, the homeless were

displaced.

The initial restoration of the park brought vision for the park and hope that the park will once again be a place for family fun and recreation. However, along with Phase I Restoration came the construction

of things that concern me and are a major topic to be discussed in the following section.

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V. SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL FEATURES &

THEIR SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

Carl Fox, a pastor from the area north of Lewisburg, PA, once said to me ,

"The physical will drive you into the spiritual."

With that statement, I came to understand that

what we see with our physical eyes will drive us into spiritual teachings .

Our spiritual eyes will be opened with the Lord leading and revealing. What powerful instruction that was for me because that is exactly what was happening when I was seeing physical things that had been built by man. Men, unknowingly working under the Lord's direction, had constructed buildings

and other things that the Lord is using to bring forth a spiritual message. Looking at things in the physical has driven me into the spiritual teachings that are represented and veiled by the physical. That is a very powerful method that the Lord uses to teach us what He wants us to learn. When we can physically see something with our eyes, we can understand more readily the things that the Lord wants to show us. Examples of this method can be found in the parables that Jesus taught.

Reservoir Park contains many physical things that have spiritual significance and point to spiritual teachings. There is spiritual significance associated with the location of the park, the elevation of the park, some of the trees that have been planted in the park, and things that have been constructed in the park by man at key times. I want to briefly tell you about the following physical things that I believe have spiritual significance:

Reservoir Park's Elevation

The Reservoirs Contained Within The Park

The Twelve Trees and the Paved Circle at the Top of the Park

The Monuments and Statues Constructed in 1893 and 1993

A. RESERVOIR PARK'S ELEVATION

I have already mentioned in this article that Reservoir Park contains the highest point in the City of Harrisburg and in much of the surrounding region. According to a newspaper clipping (refer to Appendix), 4 counties can be seen from the park. These counties are Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, and York .

We know that high places are significant in the Bible. In the temptation, Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple. The pinnacle was a high place in the temple. Mt. Zion and Hebron are high places. Mt. Zion was the location of the temple. Hebron, the place of covenant, is at a higher elevation than Mt. Zion.

High places are points of strategic control. A high place can be used strategically in battle to plan an attack and a defense. As I began to further investigate this park and observe the City of Harrisburg from the park, I realized that I could see neighborhoods. I thought about fellow believers with whom I have developed relationships and realized that I could see their neighborhoods. I realized that I was not just looking at a map and a scenic view, but I was looking at a battlefield where strategic points could be viewed. I realized that believers could plan a strategic attack against the powers of darkness

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from Reservoir Park that took into account the City of Harrisburg, surrounding communities, strongholds over communities and neighborhoods. The strategy could take into account the different elevations and the locations of believers throughout the city and the region. There is much more to this war time plan of which I hope to begin to bring forth in the future, but right now, I want to move on to another significant thing in Reservoir Park.

B. RESERVOIRS CONTAINED WITHIN RESERVOIR PARK.

There is going to come a day when the glory of God is going to be released into the earth in a measure that we have never seen. That release will be an outpouring, an overflow, a flooding upon the earth. The book of Ezekiel talks about a river that comes from the threshold of the East Gate of the Temple.

I see reservoirs as being a storage place for wate r and a place from which water is released. I see the reservoirs as representing a storage place for God's glory that is released as necessary, and will be more fully released at the time He chooses. Reservoirs are in high places and they feed life-giving water to the people at a rate at which the people can drink their fill. Water is needed to sustain life. Jesus is the water of life. There is much more I could say about this also, but again, I want to move on.

C. TWELVE TREES & A PAVED CIRCLE AT THE TOP OF RESERVOIR PARK

At the very top of Reservoir Park, there is an asphalt-paved circle. I remember a time when I was very young and my brother, Buddy, was attending John Harris High School. Buddy went to a dance that was held at the top of Reservoir Park on the asphalt-paved circle. I must have been with my father when he drove Buddy to the dance, because I remember seeing the place from a car and the place was filled with students. Someday, believers will dance in unity, praising the Lord on that circle.

That circle is surrounded by 12 trees , the types of which I have not yet identified. The trees are almost evenly spaced around the circle. As near as I can tell from the U. S. G. S. Maps, 4 of the trees are very nearly situated at the north, south, east, and west points of the circles. This needs to be confirmed with a compass. One of the trees has been cut down, but it is not dead. The stump remains and there are many new shoots coming from the stump.

We know the number 12 has much significance in the Bible - 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 12 foundations stones to the Heavenly City, 12 gates to the Heavenly City. Do we know the significance of the tree that has been cut down and is apparently being restored with new growth? During a visit to the park with Larry Miller, a friend of mine from Word Fellowship, he noted that Judas was cut down and replaced with another apostle. That similarity indicating restoration was quite comforting.

D. MONUMENTS AND STATUES CONSTRUCTED IN 1893 AND 1993

The completion of the restoration of a monument and the construction of 2 new statues in Reservoir Park has caused me to be alarmed. They were completed in the fall of 1993 as part of Phase I of the Rehabilitation Program. The Detweiler Monument, originally constructed in 1893, has been restored in an unusual way. Also, two new statues, that represent the ungodly, have been erected in the park. These constructions seem to be at strategic locations in the park. One of the statues, located directly in front of the Detweiler Monument is named "Evolution". The other statue is named "Park Mother" and is located on a slope along the north side of the park. These statues do not represent anything godly and they indicate to me that the Christians must continue acting to take back their land.

I believe that these monuments are very significant, therefore, I will discuss each in further detail in the next section.

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VI. MONUMENTS AND STATUES CONSTRUCTED IN 1893 AND 1993

A. THE DETWEILER MONUMENT CONSTRUCTED IN 1893

Since I need to further research the origin of the monument, I will only describe its physical features at this time. The monument is located on the west side of the park and overlooks the city and the State Capitol Building. The monument is made of granite and, in its restored state, gives you the impression of some kind of throne or altar. The backdrop of the monument is a granite base with a few steps that lead to the base. A single column is mounted on top of the base in the center. A round ball is located on top of the column. There are inscriptions on both the front and rear sides of the base. The inscriptions on the front of the base are Justice (to the left of the column) and Brotherly Love (to the right of the column). The inscriptions on the rear of the base, again to the left and right of the column, are Charity and Fidelity.

At one time there was an elk mounted on a pedestal in front of the monument. I think the elk was representative of the Elks Club. Over the years the monument was vandalized and the elk was knocked down and reset more than once. Eventually, the elk was not replaced and the pedestal remained vacant for many years. In December 1993, I noticed that the elk now stands in front of the Elks Club located in Harrisburg.

During the Phase I Restoration of Reservoir Park, the monument was refurbished and made part of a newly constructed circular garden with brick walkways. The pedestal where the elk once stood was capped with a 4-inch concrete slab. This pedestal, with the new cap, looks like an altar. There is nothing on its top. It looks like a table of solid granite ready to receive something.

This monument was originally constructed in 1893 and was refurbished 100 years later in 1993. An interesting point of research would be to determine if any other major construction of monuments or other structures in Reservoir Park was conducted in those 100 years.

At the center of the circular garden is the newly erected statue, "Evolution", which is described in the following section.

B. THE BRONZE STATUE OF "EVOLUTION" CONSTRUCTED IN 1993

"Evolution" is a 12-foot, bronze statue of a naked woman that faces west. She is standing and straddles a creature that looks like a fish. In the hand of her raised right arm she is holding a figure that looks like a bird or a duck. A stream of material flows from the tail of the fish and arches to the tail of the duck. This woman stands directly in front of the Detweiler Monument and is facing in the direction of the Pennsylvania's Capitol Complex and Capitol Building.

The unveiling of this statue was discussed in the Harrisburg's Patriot News on August 21, 1993, in Section B, Local and State News. That article is provided in the Appendix. The article states that the plaster cast of the statue was donated to the City of Harrisburg by the wife of the deceased artist. The statue was one of at least two works created by the artist which represent his "interest in life forms and his belief that life evolved from the sea." The other work, "Rhythm of the Sea", was on display at the Philadelphia Art Museum and was scheduled to be placed at the aquarium in Camden, New Jersey. Read the newspaper clipping in the Appendix for these and other information concerning the controversial statue.

This statue does not represent anything godly. Even our 9 year old son recognized that its location in this public park is unnecessary. His word describing the statue was "disgusting".

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C. THE STATUE OF THE "PARK MOTHER" CONSTRUCTED IN 1993

Another statue unveiled shortly after the unveiling of "Evolution" was the statue of a

woman that was molded on site, on a northern slope of the park. This woman also faces west. She stands with a cape on her shoulders. The cape spreads out to her sides and down over 12 people and a dog. There are six people sheltered by the cape on the left and six people with the dog sheltered on the right. The expressions on the faces of the people are (as interpreted by my wife) zombie like, expressing pain and suffering. The expressions do not represent a positive living spirit. The woman is wearing a dress, at least from the waist down. You cannot be sure if the upper body is clothed or not. From the road, my impression was that her upper body was not clothed. I guess the determination of whether she is clothed or not is left to the interpreter of the "art". I saw no fan fare or news release for the unveiling of this second statue of another woman who faces west in Reservoir Park.

When I first viewed the statue, there was no name attached or inscribed. However, since then, I went back to Reservoir Park to verify some of the details that I have noted and to gather additional information. Upon inspection of the statue, I saw the plague that had been attached to the base. The plague states - "PARK MOTHER", Sculpted by Deborah Masters, 1993, Gift of Lois Lehrman Grass.

D. WHY THE RESTORED MONUMENT AND THE NEW STATUES?

I have wondered why the monument and the statues have been constructed. Where did they come from? Why have they come? Who has permitted their construction and placement? Who created them and what are the beliefs of their creators?

Why do the statues of the two women face west. I have observed that the woman on top of the Capitol Building also faces west. Why? Is there significance?

Do the statues in Reservoir Park face our state's government in defiance of the people, in defiance of the godly foundations of our government, and possibly in agreement with some people who want to change our institutions and foundations? Is Satan making a statement and is he being permitted to make it?

These and other questions need to be answered.

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VII. THE GATES OF THE CITY OF HARRISBURG

I have wondered why there are certain physical things in Reservoir Park that seem to represent such strong spiritual messages.

Why, in this high place, are there 12 trees in a circle at the very highest place?

Why was the Detweiler Monument constructed in 1893?

Why, 100 years later, was the Detweiler Monument modified to look like an altar and incorporate the statue of a naked woman that is called "Evolution"?

Why was another statue of a woman constructed and called "Park Mother"?

Why does she look like a covering over the people?

Why do these statues face to the west?

Why does the woman on top of the capitol dome face west?

I believe the answer to these questions was partly answered on a Sunday morning, December 5, 1993, at Word Fellowship Christian Center, by Alan Vincent. He is an apostolic overseer of the body at Word Fellowship. He is also an overseer of other churches in many parts of the world. My experience in hearing this man speak when he comes to Harrisburg is that he always has a message that is relevant to where the believers in this region are living in their spiritual lives. The message on that Sunday morning was no different. I recommend that the reader get a copy of the audio cassette of that entire message. What I will tell you here are just a few notes concerning the powerful word that was brought forth.

In his message, Alan challenged the believers' understanding of who Jesus Christ is. Within that message, Alan spoke about the gates of hell as discussed in the New Testament and the gates of cities during Old Testament times.

He explained that the gates were entrances to the cities, that they were tunnels through city walls that could have been 30 feet wide and 100 feet tall. The gates were the entrances where the elders of the city were stationed on thrones and observed the people that passed through the gate. They had the authority to regulate, to allow the people to enter or to turn them away. Also, the gates were the courts of government and authority where disputes were settled. At the gates, the gatekeepers governed the city. They set the tone for the atmosphere in the city.

How does that apply today? Alan explained that there are gates in the heavenlies that regulate what comes into the city. They set the tone for the spiritual atmosphere in the city. If the powers of darkness control the gates in the heavenlies, they will control what goes on in the city. They will control the people, the schools, the government, and the politics. Possibly, all your efforts to make changes in the city will be foiled unless the ungodly gatekeepers in the heavenlies are defeated and godly gatekeepers are installed.

Therefore, where are the gates over the City of Harrisburg? Who are the gatekeepers? What are they permitting? What are they refusing to permit?

This revelation of the gates makes the believers' target quite obvious in the City of Harrisburg. The things in Reservoir Park are pointing to the gatekeepers that control the spiritual gates to the City of Harrisburg. The unified Body of Christ in the City of Harrisburg and in the surrounding region can begin to plan effective strategy to TAKE CONTROL OF THE GATES OF THE CITY OF HARRISBURG.

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VIII. SUMMARY & CALL TO ACTION

I hope I have given you enough to see that Reservoir Park is a significant place in the City of Harrisburg and in the surrounding region. I am very concerned about what I have written here because I would not want to bring forth untruth. The interpretations I have made indicate that there are things in the park that represent God's kingdom (the circle and the twelve trees). There are also things that represent the powers of darkness (the modified monument and the statues of the women). Even if there is error in some of the interpretations, it is still obvious that Reservoir Park is a significant place in the City of Harrisburg and the surrounding region. The Body of Christ needs to focus on Reservoir Park in addition to City Island and other places in the city and in the region.

I am a life long resident of the City of Harrisburg. I have been called to, planted and rooted in, the City of Harrisburg. I have destiny in the City of Harrisburg. Therefore, I have a responsibility to bring forth this information and these interpretations at this time (after the Kent Henry Worship Seminar and after the teaching by Alan Vincent) to the appropriate people in the Body of Christ. I have been in Reservoir Park as an individual believer more often than I can count. There are other people who have sensed what I have presented here. Now is the time to continue the joining of forces with other believers in a unified and strategically planned way in order to continue taking back the land, in order to continue the strategic planning against the powers of darkness, in order to take control of the Gates of the City of Harrisburg.

The physical features of Reservoir Park indicate to the Christian that there is work to do. We must become active in this place, Reservoir Park, and continue to attack the powers of darkness with prayer, praise, proclamation, worship, and praise to the Lord.

I believe that the information presented here is another step in the strategic attack against the powers of darkness. There is more specific planning that I have been considering that seems to be coordinated with planning that has been considered by other parts of the Body of Christ in the city. The study and presentation of this information was birthed when my wife and I were preparing the map that was mounted on the rear wall of Word Fellowship's sanctuary. The map showed strongholds in the City of Harrisburg and surrounding communities. During the preparation of that map, I was lead to the study of the U. S. G. S. Maps of the Harrisburg area. That study is continuing and proving to be very interesting. My findings will be revealed when they are completed.

I have made many bold and interpretative statements in this article. If you want to discuss what I've stated, please contact me at the address or phone listed on the cover sheet of this paper.

RESERVOIR PARK IS T H E H I G H P L A C E IN THE CITY OF HARRISBURG

RESERVOIR PARK IS

A SIGNIFICANT PLACE IN THE HARRISBURG REGION

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A P P E N D I X

1. REFERENCE: CENTER CITY NEWS, OCTOBER 1993

MONTHLY PUBLICATION

BY DOWNTOWN HARRISBURG ASSOCIATION

RESERVOIR PARK IS FAST BECOMING A JEWEL IN THE CITY'S CROWN RP GETS $1.6 MILLION FACE LIFT OVERLOOKING THE CITY AND SURROUNDING AREA

90 ACRES HARRISBURG'S LARGEST PUBLIC FACILITY

1893 DETWEILER MONUMENT 12 FOOT BRONZE SCULPTURE CALLED "EVOLUTION"

2. REFERENCE: BOOK HARRISBURG: THE CITY BEAUTIFUL, ROMANTIC AND HISTORIC

AUTHOR: BY DR. GEORGE P. DONEHOO

COPYRIGHT: BY E. J. STACKPOLE, 1927

CHAPTER ONE

"...GO UP TO THE HIGH POINT IN RESERVOIR PARK AND LET YOUR EYES SWEEP OVER THE MARVELOUS PANORAMA WHICH IS SPREAD OUT BEFORE YOU.”

3. REFERENCE: USGS MAP

ELEVATION 610 - BENCH MARK ON USGS MAP

4. FACTS OBSERVED BY WRITER

RESERVOIRS AT TOP

CIRCLE AT TOP WITH 12 TREES. ONE TREE CUT DOWN, STILL LIFE COMING FROM THE STUMP

***DETERMINE THE TYPE OF TREE*** ***VERIFY N-S-E-W DIRECTION WITH RESPECT TO TREE LAYOUT

STATUES CONSTRUCTED IN 1993 EVOLUTION

STATUE OF WOMAN FACING WEST/CAPITOL WOMAN WITH CAPE

COVERING OTHER HUMAN AND ANIMAL FIGURES STATUE OF WOMAN FACING WEST

HIGHEST PLACE IN THE CITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS ***DETERMINE HOW FAR***

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1999

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