Freedom of Conscience

 Freedom of Conscience by Hans Schuler

“FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE MONUMENT, 1934, St. Mary 's City. Situated at the entrance to St. Mary's City, this monument, sculpted by Hans Schuler. was a gift of all 23 counties to the State of Maryland. It commemorates religious and civil freedom in Maryland.” — SM-38

 Hans Schuler, Sr. (1874-1951)

(HMdb)

Schuler said that the statue “represents the liberation of the spirit that had for so long been bound by intolerance....” according to the nearby historical marker excerpted above.

schuler goes on to note that “The torch represents the flame that kindled this fire of religious freedom throughout the world.”

Roadside America describes the monument as a  “mostly nude guy gazing up at the heavens.”

The National Register of Historic Places inventory form for Hans Schuler's house in Baltimore describes it  this  way:

One of Hans’ most satisfying works, done at cost, stands at St. Mary's City, previously mentioned as the landing spot of the pilgrims in Maryland. They were determined to found a colony based on religious toleration. Hans’ statue, “Freedom of Conscience,” is a figure emerging out of a rock wall into the light of religious tolerance.

The statue is affectionately known to the students at  nearby St.  Mary's  College as “The Naked Man.” and is of course the subject of pranksterism by the women of St. Mary's:

The Freedom of Conscience Statue can be seen from the intersection of Route 5 and Trinity Church Road.

The statue was commissioned by the state for the 300th anniversary celebration. Many a prank has been played on this campus icon over the years, including but not limited to, extra articles of clothing appearing overnight. In the 1960s during “Rat Week,” new students had to scrub the statue with toothbrushes. Famous sculptor Hans Schuler, Sr. carved the statue. -- SMCM

 
Although the statue was carved in the tercentenary year, 1934, it was not dedicated until 1935. This  photo appeared in the Evening Star on May 18, 1935:

To Participate in Unveiling

Mr. George H. Calvert, jr., with his daughters, Miss Eleanor Calvert (left) and Miss Margaret Peyton Calvert, who will today unveil the statue by Hans Schuler, representing “Freedom of Conscience,” which has been erected at St. Marys City through the efforts of the Committee of the Maryland Tercentenary Commission, of which Miss Elizabeth Chew Williams of Baltimore is chairman. Mr. Calvert is a direct descendant of the Calverts who founded Maryland and has been prominently mentioned as a Democratic candidate for Governor of Maryland.