The Ottawa Freedom Association officially only has three members and an attorney, but every year around this time its small numbers swell by dozens who join for the annual placement of 16 religious paintings in Washington Park.

James Keely, a founding member of the OFA, stood among nearly 50 men, women and children working in the cold morning sunlight Saturday and said the group's resolve was born of controversy, but "that's not why we're here today. We're gathered here as people of God who believe in freedom. Our work today represents who we are as a community and we're proud to share these paintings with everybody."

Commissioned by the Ottawa Jaycees and created by painter Harold Riner of Galva in the mid-1950s, the 8-foot-tall dramatic paintings depict the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament Gospels.

Carrying one corner of the heavy paintings from a nearby garage into the park, Wilbur Zeal, working with his family and friends, said, "They (the paintings) represent our religious freedom and I'm proud of what the organization and this project now represents."

In September, 1988, local atheist Richard Rohrer, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, sued the city of Ottawa, alleging the paintings, since they stood on public property, infringed upon his personal constitutional freedoms by violating the First Amendment's "establishment clause," or what some citizens have interpreted as a separation of church and state.

Enraging the City Council and area Christian faithfuls, a federal court in Chicago ordered the paintings removed from the park in 1988.

Years later, in 1991, even after Rohrer had moved away from Ottawa, a three-judge appeals panel backed that ruling.

But in that same year, the case was taken up by the Freedom Association, a local group of lawyers, residents and businessmen, who succeeded in getting the decision overturned by a full 11-judge panel at the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

And since December 1992, the paintings have been returned each year to their former prominence in Washington Square.

Ottawa Men's Christian Association member Kevin Mason, who has helped with the paintings' erection for more than a dozen years, didn't let the freezing temperatures bother him during the setup. "This is an important ministry for all people to see. The Gospel of John tells us to spread the word (of God). We are here to share the good."

Krystal Moe, one of the youngest people working on the project, said she was happy to be with her dad, Kevin, and the other "nice people" in the park. The 16-year-old Ottawa Township High School junior realizes that some people don't believe (in religious holidays) but she thinks "the paintings are important. It is a nice thing to have in the city for everyone to see," she said.

The heavy load wasn't limited to Ottawa residents, Geoff Edwards of Earlville has been bringing his teenage son, Nathan to the event for years. "We come for the fellowship. We come for God and the community. It has become part of our personal Christmas celebration. Christ is about the good things in life and this work gives me hope for the future."

Keith Goetz of rural Ottawa said, beyond the apparent religious aspects of the work, he was also there in a personal salute to American veterans. For him, the park exhibit "honors all military people who fought or died for our freedom, our right to do this in our town."

From a ladder top, Keely, an Ottawa attorney, said he brought his young grandsons, 10-year-old Peace and four-year-old Totus Tuus to help in the early morning work to leave an impression on them for the future. "I'm very gratified to see many new faces in the park today, especially young ones." Keely said it gives him hope the tradition will continue well past his tenure.

Besides Keely, other Ottawa Freedom Association members include Kirk Hawthorne and Lloyd Chapman, with George "Skip" Hupp serving as its attorney.

With the many hands, the cold work took less than an hour. The group then retreated to a downtown coffee shop for hot coffee and chocolate.

"And, with God's help, we'll be back next year and every year," one of the volunteers promised.

Keely said a DVD by Ottawan Dan Hennenfent detailing the history of the unique paintings is now available through the OFA.