The Circuit Rider

The Circuit Rider is a bronze equestrian statue depicting a Methodist minister on horseback that stands on the Oregon State Capitol grounds. The work shows a robed figure seated upright on a horse, facing westward with a calm posture.

The bronze was cast in 1923 and shipped from New York through the Panama Canal to Salem, where it was installed in January 1924. The memorial was commissioned to preserve the legacy of Methodist circuit ministers who served frontier communities during the early 1800s.

The statue honors Methodist circuit ministers who traveled widely across frontier territories in the 1800s to serve settler communities in Oregon. It stands as a reminder of how these clergy brought faith and community support to remote pioneer settlements.

The statue is located on the east side of the Capitol building and can be viewed at any time free of charge. The area contains several other historical markers nearby that form a small walking route around the grounds.

During the Columbus Day Storm of 1962, a fallen tree knocked the statue off its pedestal and caused severe damage to the bronze. The extensive restoration work took place in Vancouver, Washington and required months of careful repair.

GPS coordinates: 44.93803,-123.02868

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:27