Statuary, Stations & Nativities

Saint Statues

A saint statue in a church marks a shrine, a side altar or a garden where parishioners stop to pray. The statues sold online range from 14 in table pieces to 24 in figures meant to stand on a pedestal. Most are cast in resin or a resin and stone blend, then hand-painted or left in a gray stone finish. Some are rated for outdoor use; others are made for indoor display only.

Start with the location. A 24 in figure reads well from a pew or along a garden path. Pieces of 14 in suit a niche, a sacristy or a classroom. For a grotto or courtyard, choose a stone-resin or garden-rated statue such as the Joseph's Studio St. Joseph or the Avalon Gallery St. Francis. Hand-painted indoor pieces such as the St. Therese or St. Anthony should stay out of the weather.

5 saint statues

The saint statues below are listed with height, material and the maker's stated indoor or outdoor rating.

Side by side

The specifications the makers publish, in one table.

Questions before you order

What size saint statue suits a side altar or shrine?

For a side altar or wall shrine seen from the pews, 18 to 24 in is the usual range. Statues of 14 in work on a pedestal in a small chapel, in a niche or on a classroom shelf. Measure the space and allow room for flowers and a candle.

Which statues can stand outdoors in a parish garden?

Only statues the maker rates for outdoor use, such as the stone-resin St. Francis or the Joseph's Studio garden St. Joseph. These use a resin and stone blend that tolerates rain and sun. Hand-painted indoor pieces fade and may crack if left outside through winter.

How are resin saint statues cleaned and cared for?

Dust indoor statues with a soft brush or dry cloth. Outdoor pieces can be rinsed with water and a mild soap, then dried. Avoid solvents and abrasive pads, which lift paint. Bring outdoor statues under cover in freezing weather if the maker does not state frost resistance.

Do these statues need a pedestal or base?

Most arrive on an integral molded base and stand on any flat surface. In a church, a pedestal, bracket or column raises a 14 to 24 in statue to a height that can be seen from the nave. Check that the footprint listed by the maker fits the pedestal top.