Statue of Thomas Starr King

The statue depicts a minister standing in formal pose, rendered in bronze with careful attention to facial features and period clothing details. Sculptor Haig Patigian created this work, which now stands in Capitol Park in Sacramento as a focal point near the California State Capitol.

The work spent decades in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol after its creation before returning to California in 2009. State legislators chose to bring it back to Sacramento as part of their representation in the nation's capital.

The memorial honors a minister who advocated for national unity in the 1800s through powerful speeches that moved many people. His presence in the park reminds visitors of the role religious leaders played during America's most challenging moments.

The statue stands in Capitol Park near the State Capitol building and is easily found by walking through the main pathways of the grounds. Morning or early afternoon visits offer better viewing conditions and fewer crowds around the monument.

The statue was brought back from Washington DC in 2009 after spending decades there, as the name and legacy of its subject were not widely recognized across America. Its replacement by a Ronald Reagan statue in the nation's capital shows how public interest in historical figures can shift dramatically over time.

GPS coordinates: 37.77229,-122.46628

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01