BISHOP, REV. LAWRENCE “LARRY” (1942-2011)

Lawrence Bishop was pastor of the Solid Rock Church near Monroe, but he also played mandolin and had a bluegrass gospel band that performed in church services and recorded six bluegrass gospel CDs. In 2005, he was selected as the Bluegrass Evangelist of the Year, and in 2007 he was picked as the Bluegrass Inspirational Artist. Born in Kentucky, he came to Ohio, where he became a well-known quarter horse breeder and dealer. In 1978, he formed the Solid Rock Church and in 1992 moved it to Monroe. People remember it because of the huge Jesus statue that he had erected facing Interstate 75. At one time he was hosting big name bluegrass gospel performers at the church, including the Isaacs and Ricky Skaggs.