Broken Obelisk, one of Houston's best-known sculptures, is back in its reflecting pool in front of Rothko Chapel.

The Houston Chronicle said the sculpture, after restoration, once again stands as a reminder that much of Houston once considered Martin Luther King Jr. to be more a rabble-rouser than a saint.

In 1969, John and Dominique de Menil offered to match a $45,000 federal grant to bring the Barnett Newman sculpture to the city of Houston, with the stipulation that the sculpture's base bear a dedication to King.

After being told that city officials would reject a public memorial to King, the de Menils proposed that the sculpture be placed in front of City Hall and that the base bear the words Forgive Them, for They Know Not What They Do.

When City Council members turned down the de Menils' proposal, the couple asked that the sculpture be plainly designated as a King memorial.

The mayor and City Council rejected that offer and Houston eventually lost the federal matching grant.

The de Menils purchased the Broken Obelisk for $90,000 and donated it the Institute of Religion in the Texas Medical Center, which evolved into the Rothko Chapel.