Grotto of the Redemption

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Use American English Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption is a religious shrine in West Bend, Iowa, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City. A conglomeration of nine grottos depicting scenes in the life of Jesus, it contains a large collection of minerals and petrifications and is believed to be the largest grotto of its kind.[1]

It is also "considered to be the world's most complete man-made collection of minerals, fossils, shells, and petrifications in one place."[2] The estimated value of the rocks and minerals which make up the Grotto is over $4,308,000.[3][4] Over 100,000 people visit each year.[2][5][6]

It includes a museum with precious and semiprecious stones from throughout the world, and photos and artifacts about the construction of the shrine.

History

Father Paul Dobberstein was a German immigrant ordained in 1897.[7] He became critically ill with pneumonia and promised to build a shrine to the Virgin Mary if she interceded for him.[8][9] After his recovery, he began stockpiling rocks and precious stones.[10] Construction of the Grotto began in 1912[10][11] and continued year round for 42 years.

Father Dobberstein used the knowledge and skills gained during construction of his first grotto honoring Our Lady of Lourdes while training at St. Francis Seminary in St. Francis, Wisconsin. His method was to set fancy rocks and gems into concrete. In 1946, Father Louis Greving began helping Dobberstein with the construction.[11] The Grotto covered an area the size of a city block when Dobberstein died in 1954. Matt Szerensce helped contribute the work until his retirement in 1959.[2][12] The Grotto was maintained by Deacon Gerald Streit from 1994 until his retirement in the early 2000s.

Father Dobberstein's works inspired Mathias Wernerus (who also attended St. Francis Seminary) to build the Dickeyville Grotto in Dickeyville, Wisconsin, in 1930,[13][3][14] starting the grotto-building movement in America.[3][15]

In August 1, 2015, the Grotto was raised to the status of a diocesan shrine by R. Walker Nickless, Bishop of Sioux City, becoming the diocese's first designated religious shrine.

In popular culture

The Grotto of the Redemption is featured in the David Lynch film The Straight Story.

Gallery

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b c Iowa Tourism / Northwest / Grotto Of The Redemption - West Bend, IowaTemplate:Category handler[<span title="Script error: No such module "string".">usurped]Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., iowabeautiful.com
  3. ↑ a b c Grottos of the Midwest: Religion and Patriotism in Stone Script error: No such module "webarchive"., by Peyton Smith, csumc.wisc.edu
  4. ↑ cited as over $4 million: Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend, Iowa, roadsideamerica.com
  5. ↑ West Bend, Iowa: grotto of the redemption - West Bend, Iowa home to the Grotto of the Redemption a work of love and art depicting the life of Christ by Father Dobberstein Script error: No such module "webarchive"., essortment.com
  6. ↑ Passing the Torch Script error: No such module "webarchive"., westbendgrotto.com
  7. ↑ The Artist-Father Dobberstein Script error: No such module "webarchive"., westbendgrotto.com
  8. ↑ Grotto of the Redemption History, westbendgrotto.com
  9. ↑ Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend, Iowa, roadsideamerica.com
  10. ↑ a b Origin and Inspiration for the Great Work Script error: No such module "webarchive"., westbendgrotto.com
  11. ↑ a b West Bend - Sts. Peter and Paul Script error: No such module "webarchive"., catholicglobe.org
  12. ↑ Detour Art Atlas | Artist Detail Script error: No such module "webarchive"., detour.webdatabases.net
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ History of Providence Home Health Care Center of Jasper, providencehome.org
  15. ↑ Grotto of the Redemption Script error: No such module "webarchive"., ww2.lafayette.edu/~niless

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Script error: No such module "Side box".

Template:Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City Template:NRHP in Palo Alto County, Iowa

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Grotto_of_the_Redemption&oldid=5491917"