Lourdes Grottos in Nebraska

I have been able to find around 30 Lourdes grotto replicas that have been built in Nebraska to date, although only about a third of them still exist. Many German and Czech immigrants settled in Nebraska (it still has the highest percent of Czech-Americans of any US state), and these ethnic groups established numerous churches and other Catholic institutions, at some of which grottos were later built.

Below is a list of the Lourdes grottos, past and present, that I have located in Nebraska (although there certainly must be others, ones not been mentioned in digitized newspapers or online).

And following the list is a summary of the materials I have found documenting each grotto.

Type of Institution Key:
C=Church S=School M=Convent/Monastery H=Hospital O=Orphanage/Old Home I=Independent Pilgrim Site T=Cemetery R=Retreat P=Private Residence X=Other

State	City	Institution	Type	Name	Date(s)/Decade	Extant?	Address
Nebraska	Alliance	St. Joseph’s Hospital	H	Grotto	bef.1948	no	1023 Toluca Ave, Alliance, NE 69301
Nebraska	Bellevue	St. Columban’s Seminary	S	Lourdes Grotto	1929	yes	1902 Calhoun St, St Columbans, NE 68056
Nebraska	Columbus	St. Francis Academy	S	Lourdes Grotto	1910	no	?1565 18th Ave, Columbus, NE 68601
Nebraska	Falls City	Sacred Heart School	C	Lourdes Grotto	1923	no	1820 Fulton St, Falls City, NE 68355
Nebraska	Hartington	Holy Trinity Convent, Ursuline Sisters, Church	M	Grotto		yes	406 S Broadway Ave, Hartington, NE 68739
Nebraska	Kearney	Francis J. Keens Home for the Aged / Mt Carmel	O	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1934	no	412 W 18th St, Kearney, NE 68845
Nebraska	Lincoln	Bishop’s Residence	P	Grotto of Lourdes	1930	no	2801 Calvert St, Lincoln, NE
Nebraska	Manley	St. Patrick’s Church	C	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1930	no	101 Broadway St, Manley, NE 68403
Nebraska	Nebraska City	St. Bernard’s Academy / Lourdes Central Catholic School	S	Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto	1944	yes	412 2nd Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410
Nebraska	Nebraska City	St. Mary’s Hospital	H	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1942	partial	1314 3rd Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410
Nebraska	Norfolk	Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital	H	Grotto	1940	no	1520 Koenigstein Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701
Nebraska	O’Neill	St. Mary’s Academy	S	Grotto	bef.1910	no	300 N 4th St, O’Neill, NE 68763
Nebraska	Omaha	Convent of the Good Shepherd	M	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1939	no	40th & Jones Sts, now UNMC
Nebraska	Omaha	Creighton University (at Ignatius House)	S	Grotto of the Blessed Virgin	1930	no	650 N 24th St, Omaha, NE 68178
Nebraska	Omaha	Duchesne College/Academy	S	Grotto	2016	yes	3602 Burt St, Omaha, NE 68131
Nebraska	Omaha	Duchesne College/Academy of the Sacred Heart	S	Grotto	c.1893	no	3601 Burt St, Omaha, NE 68131
Nebraska	Omaha	Mount St. Mary’s Academy	S	Grotto	bef. 1913	no	1404 Castelar St, Omaha, NE 68108?
Nebraska	Omaha	Our Lady of Lourdes Church	C	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1924	no	2110 S 32nd Ave, Omaha, NE 68105
Nebraska	Omaha	Our Lady of Lourdes Church	C	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1962	yes	2110 S 32nd Ave, Omaha, NE 68105
Nebraska	Omaha	Sisters of Mercy Convent, St. Peter school	M	Grotto in convent garden	by1907	no	709 S 28th St, Omaha, NE 68105
Nebraska	Omaha	Sisters of Mercy? / St Clare’s Monastery	M	Grotto	bef.1935	no	1310 N 29th St, Omaha, NE 68131
Nebraska	Omaha	St. Adalbert Parish	C	Lady of Lourdes Grotto	1926-28	no	2617 S 31st St, Omaha, NE 68105
Nebraska	Omaha	St. Joseph Hospital	H	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1910	partial	819 Dorcas St, Omaha, NE 68108
Nebraska	Omaha	St. Mary’s High School	S	Grotto	1931	no	709 S 28th St, Omaha, NE 68105
Nebraska	Plattsmouth	Church of the Holy Spirit	C	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1985	yes	520 S 18th St, Plattsmouth, NE 68048
Nebraska	Prague	Plasi, Sts. Cyril & St. Methodius Church	C	Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto	1937-1940, 1962	yes	Co Rd O, Prague, NE 68050
Nebraska	Rushville	St. Mary’s Church	C	Grotto of Lourdes	1930	no	around 500 E. 2nd St Rushville, NE 69360
Nebraska	Sidney	St. Patrick’s Church	C	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1954	no	1039 14th Ave, Sidney, NE 69162
Nebraska	Spalding	Spalding Academy	S	Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto	1934	yes	130 W Marguerite St, Spalding, NE 68665
Nebraska	Tarnov	St. Michael’s Church	C	Memorial Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	1927	yes	309 3rd St, Tarnov, NE 68642
Nebraska	York	St. Ursula’s Academy / St. Joseph’s Catholic School	S	Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes	by 1920	no	428 N E Ave, York, NE 68467

Duchesne Academy, Omaha (c.1893, not extant)

The earliest grotto built in Nebraska that I could find was one built at Duchesne/Sacred Heart Academy around 1893 (it has been replaced by a modern grotto, likely due to facilities expansion displacing the original one). A history of the school stated:

Reverend Mother Conway, the new Superior, arrived in August of 1893. She inaugurated improvements in the house and on the grounds, which added to the beauty and efficiency of the school. The hill at the rear of the house, was leveled hy ten feet. ‘Two hundred trees were planted. .Talks and gardens were laid out. A new grotto of Our Lady was erected.

“The History of Duchesne College” by Mother M.E. Mooney, RSCJ (1938-39)

The original grotto still existed in 1940, when this photo was taken:

St. Mary’s Academy, O’Neill (c.1910, not extant)

I could not find any reference to this earlier O’Neill grotto in local newspapers. But another grotto, or another statue in the same grotto, was dedicated in 1957, according to a newspaper article:

Ceremony Held at SMA Grotto- Tuesday, the dedication and of the imported white blessing, Our Lady of Lourdes was held at the grotto of St. Mary’s academy. School children and parishioners recited the rosary on the way from school to the grotto. Very Rev. Timothy O’Sullivan blessed the statue and addressed the students. Then the group marched in procession to the church, chanting the Litany of Loretto. The ceremony closed with benediction of the blessed sacrament.

The Frontier (O’Neill, Nebraska), Sep 26, 1957

Neither grotto seems to have survived, although a photo on the school’s Facebook page shows that a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes remains in the school.

St. Francis Academy, Columbus (1910, not extant)

I could not find any photos of the grotto at St. Francis Academy in Columbus, but several newspaper articles referred to it, including this one:

The Sisters of St. Francis Academy are making a Grotto imitating the Grotto of Lourdes in France. A beautiful statue representing our Lady of Lourdes, etc., will be placed in the Grotto. The figure was imported from Munich, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Abts were the donors of this great gift.

The Columbus Tribune, Dec 28, 1910

St. Joseph Hospital, Omaha (c.1910, partially extant)

Mount St. Mary’s Academy, Omaha (before 1912, not extant)

Only about five blocks from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha was Mount St. Mary’s Academy, at 1404 Castelar Street (now the site of Hillside Senior Apartments). Established in 1897, by at least 1912 there was a beautiful grotto and garden behind the Academy (and later, Mount St. Mary’s College), until the College moved to its current location in 1955.

I wrote a detailed post with many lovely photos of that grotto.

St. Ursula’s Academy / St. Joseph’s Catholic School, York (by 1920, not extant)

St. Ursula’s Academy in York had a grotto by around 1920, when a newspaper article mentioned a grotto there. It’s possible the statue was not installed until a few years later, as a 1923 newspaper article described its dedication:

ST. URSULA’S ACADEMY, YORK, NEBRASKA The Feast of the Presentation witnessed an epoch-making event in the history of St. Ursula’s. That lovely Feast of our Blessed Mother, saw the solemn enthronement of the beautiful statue of our Lady of Lourdes in the campus grotto. The impressive services began at 2:30 p.m., when the students assembled in St. Angela’s Hall and formed ranks for the procession to the grotto, voicing our Lady’s praises in beautiful hymns. Arrived at the grotto, all stood in reverent silence while the Very Rev. Thomas Cullen performed the dedicatory ceremonies, after which all voices joined in singing: “Hail, All Hail, Sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes.”

…The grotto is electric-lighted, with an artistic arrangement of lights, that produces an altogether heavenly effect. The grotto, the gift of Class ’22, is situated at a splendid point of vantage on the campus; the structure, eighteen feet in height, is built of imitation tufa, with a rustic and wholly naturalistic effect. Classes ’23 and ’24 have jointly presented the statue of white marble; the head is surrounded by a gold coronal of distinct letters: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” May our blessed Lady smile upon us and our beloved Academy, from the grotto in which her image has been so lovingly enthroned. Our Sunday Visitor, Dec 7, 1923

It appears that at least two later grottos were built at the St. Joseph Church and School, as shown in a photo on the St. Joseph Church website history page, and on Google Street.

Sacred Heart School, Falls City (1923, not extant)

A Sacred Heart School history book (linked on the school’s history website page), gave this history of the grotto:

James Mooney of Rulo built a beautiful addition to the school grounds, when he erected a grotto replica of Our Lady of Lourdes with Bernadette kneeling at her feet. A stream of water flowed out of the rock. This was in memory of his nephew John Ebert Mooney, son of J.W. Mooney. The dedication took place in Sept. 1923. This was the sight of the school’s May crowning for many years when the weather was favorable. The memory of all the students of that era is etched with the picture of the crowd of pupils, faculty, parents and friends gathered and singing, “O, Mary, we crown thee”.

It’s unclear when the grotto was removed. The statues of Our Lady and Bernadette now stand in a minimalistic modern shrine next to the bell tower of the church, which was built in 1975 to replace the previous church:

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Omaha (1924, not extant)

The Lourdes grotto at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Omaha was built in 1924 of gleaming white stone in an igloo-like shape. The interior contained small statues of Our Lady and Bernadette, and the grotto had a door that could be closed for privacy.

A separate larger statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, originally intended to stand in a niche on the church exterior but too large for the niche, was installed on a pedestal and blessed on the same day as the grotto. A newspaper had this description of the grotto, which was:

…fashioned of granite paving blocks and stucco, with a surface of fine marble dust… The exterior, with the rays of the sun shining on it, offers a gleaming picture to the eye…. The Rev. Stephen L. Dowd, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes church… had planned the grotto to be used for individual private devotion. “Ours was fashioned to be closed with a door to afford absolute privacy for indulging in special devotion.” It is of original design and is not meant to resemble the grotto, of Lourdes, France….

The grotto is at the south of the church yard facing the side of the church. On the inside on the back wall in a niche is a figure of Our Lady of Lourdes, while to the left is another image of Bernadette kneeling in devotion…. The grotto measures fourteen by sixteen feet in the interior and is twelve feet high. It is re-enforced with steel and was erected without plans by Joseph Miller, janitor of the church. It was begun June 1 and was finished yesterday. “The grotto and figure of Our Lourdes was made possible wholly through free will offerings and donations,” declared Father Dowd…. Omaha World-Herald, Oct 26, 1924

The grotto no longer stands on church grounds; a new shrine was announced in 1957 and dedicated in 1962, which still holds a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes–although vandals broke the statue in 1999.

St. Michael’s Church, Tarnov (1928, extant)

St. Adalbert Parish, Omaha (1926-28, not extant)

St. Columban’s Seminary, Bellevue (1929, extant)

Creighton University, Omaha (1930, not extant)

St. Patrick’s Church, Manley (1930, not extant)

A grotto was built at St. Patrick’s Church in the small town of Manley (southwest of Omaha) in 1930. A February 1930 article stated:

The statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and Bernadette arrived from France during the past week and the pastor, Rev. Father Wattelle, is to be congratulated on his good taste, for they are beautiful. Work is to begin soon on the Grotto to be built out in the parish yard. It is hoped it will be done in time for our Right Rev. Bishop to bless before he leaves to his new diocese at Dubuque. The whole diocese is very sorry to see the Right Rev. Bishop go, but what is our loss is the diocese of Dubuque’s gain….

Our Sunday Visitor, Feb 7, 1930

Bishop Beckman (see next grotto) left Lincoln on May 5, 1930 was installed as Archbishop of Dubuque later that month, so he was not able to bless the new grotto in early July:

The usually quiet of Manley was the scene of great activity on Sunday, July 6th, when one of the largest celebrations in its history was held. The occasion was the unveiling and dedication of the Grotto, a beautiful work of art, erected in honor of our Lady of Lourdes, by the pastor of St. Patrick’s church, Henry Wattelle, with the assistance of members of the parish. Between 900 and 1000 people, many of whom came great distances, gathered in the little town to witness the impressive dedicatory ceremonies….

The Grotto, which has long been quite a center of attraction to the residents of Manley and vicinity, was conceived by Father Wattelle, who received the inspiration from the original in Lourdes, France…. two beautiful statues, both of terra cotta, imported from Lourdes… the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, eight feet high, donated by the Frank Bergmann family… that of Bernadette, was donated by the children of the parish. A procession… the Weeping Water band, followed by the Altar Boys of St. Patrick’s parish… a group of fourteen priests. The striking part of the procession was a group of about twenty girls, dressed in white with veils and wreaths… (who) formed a very pretty picture during the singing of the History of the Apparitions of Lourdes…. The ceremony of the Grotto was concluded with the usual benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Weeping Water Republican, Jul 17, 1930

It’s uncertain how long the grotto existed in Manley; a new church was built in 1980 and if the grotto had survived until that year it may have been removed then.

Bishop’s Residence, Lincoln (1930, not extant)

Bishop Francis Beckman of the Diocese of Lincoln, 1924-1930, visited Lourdes, France in 1929. He was so impressed that on his return he had a Lourdes grotto constructed in the large garden to the east of the Bishop’s Residence (formerly located at 2801 Calvert St on a large farm/acreage). It was shown in newspapers in early May 1930, the day before his transfer to the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa.

The grotto was described in two articles, one of which began:

WHEN Bishop Francis Beckman| leaves Monday for Dubuque, Ia., where he is to be installed as fourth archbishop and sixth bishop of the Catholic See, he will say goodbye to a home of unusual beauty, including the extensive and attractive gardens surrounding the house, which has stood on South Twenty-seventh for many years. The gardens have been gradually developed in the last few years. One of the latest features to be added is an immense grotto built of tufa from the swamps of Ohio and Lake Erie. Two carloads were used to form this grotto, which stands between twenty and thirty feet high. Lincoln Journal Star, May 4, 1930

The other had a more detailed (and totally impressive) description:

The grotto in the bishop’s residence is of tufa stone, a porous rock formed as a deposit from springs and streams, and in this particular case, taken from the Ohio swamps. Hardening in the air, it assumes most unique shapes, and resembles gray coral or, a discolored sponge. Each stone in the tall pyramid shaped structure might easily be studied for its formation.

Overlooking a long lily pool, with its gold fish, the grotto rises to a height of 23 or 24 feet. At the widest part of its base it is about 50 feet, long and 30 feet wide. Near the apex is an alcove with the Virgin. Facing Her at the foot of the grotto is the figure of Bernadette Soubirous, kneeling, with a candle in her hand…. Both figures are of carrara marble, imported from Italy.

At the feet of the Virgin, a quarter of a distance up the face of the grotto, is a rock-bound pool, from which the waters flow through a stone lined channel to. the large pool. Rocks of the same peculiar contours surround the pool at intervals, with decorative grasses interspersed. A tiny grassed island in the center is reached by a rustic bridge. Within the grotto is a large room, opening from entrances at either side.

During the evening, a flood light from the residence pours over the grotto and a blue light falls across the Virgin’s halo. Aviators can see the grotto and its lights plainly from the air. The Lincoln Star, May 4, 1930

It’s not clear how long the Bishop’s Grotto existed. It was the scene of May crowning ceremonies for the children of the orphanage next door through the 1930s, but it was not mentioned in the diocesan newspaper after May 1940, so it’s possible the grotto and gardens were removed during the war.

St. Mary’s Church, Rushville (1930, not extant)

I could not find any images of the grotto built at St. Mary’s Church in Rushville, but found several good articles about it, especially this one:

If ever a priest took an interest in his Church and Parish we must hand it to Father Nepper. With the aid of some of his parishioners he has transformed St. Mary’s Church and High School into a veritable beauty spot in the town. His scholars raised $200 for flowers, shrubbery and landscaping, and Father Nepper has thrown off his coat and worked with vim, muscle and good taste in beautifying the grounds.

A striking feature forming a centerpiece of all this has been the erection of a duplicate of the Grotto which shrine was the talk Lourdes, of Europe ever since 1859. This is almost complete, the rockery work and the statue of the Virgin is in place, and a second statue of a child is on the way. At the base of the shrine is a pool of clear water, in which fish disport themselves. On the 15th of the month this will be formally dedicated on the Feast of the Assumption.

We love to see a man take a pride in his work in the community, for we only get what we work, and God is watching us. The Rushville Recorder, Aug 7, 1930

The grotto was dedicated on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption, 1930:

Last Friday on the Feast of the Assumption, a full church of parishoners was seen at St. Mary. The pastor preached a sermon during the high mass on the meaning and significance of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady. All the married ladies and both Sodalities went to communion in a body. After the mass the pastor accompanied by the altar boys and followed by the entire congregation went to the grotto to bless the statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and of Bernadette. After the blessing of the two statutes hymn to the Queen of Heaven was sung.

The grotto was profusely decorated with vines, plants and flowers and presented an attractive appearance. The fountain filled with clean water with stone and pebble bottom contains a variety of fish. At night the entire grotto can be illuminated with intermittant flash light effect. The structure is composed of the white rock found near Rushville and was built to approach the famous grotto at the world renowned pilgrimage place of Lourdes, France. It is the center of the buildings and grounds of St. Mary and is a beauty spot in Rushville, attracting many of our townspeople and tourists. The statue of Bernadette was given by a Sodality girl and the rocks, sand, fish, vines and labor donated by members of the were parish notably by the boy’s sodality.

Various late flowers ard plants are to bloom so that when beginning school opens September 1, there will be masses of blooming plants and shrubs on the green plots that make St. Mary a much visited institution. The pastor feels grateful to all who gave a little of their time to put St. Mary on the list of Rushville attractions. If proud parishioners would now level the ground behind the dormitory for Father a new paradise could spring up there next spring. The Rushville Recorder, Aug 21, 1930

It’s not clear how long the grotto existed in Rushville. It was not mentioned by Rushville newspapers after 1931, and St. Mary’s church closed in the 1960s.

St. Mary’s High School, Omaha (1931, not extant)

Several days before the grotto was blessed this tantalizing hint was published:

The exquisite beauty of our new statue which now stands veiled in the Grotto niche will be revealed to the student, body and all interested friends on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Our Sunday Visitor, Dec 4, 1931

And a photo of the veiled statue was pictured in a different newspaper, shown here.

The new grotto at St. Mary’s High School was blessed on December 8, 1931:

Omaha gained a new beauty spot Tuesday afternoon with the unveiling and blessing of a Carrara marble statue of the Blessed Virgin in the new grotto and garden at St. Mary High school, Twenty-seventh street and St.. Mary’s avenue.

Nearly five hundred attended the outdoor exercises and the pageant presented immediately following in the school auditorium. The presentation marked the first gift given the Sisters of Mary on the occasion of their one hundredth anniversary as a religious order. The Omaha group is 67 years old. Visible for Blocks. The outdoor ceremonies were held in a tent due to inclement weather. After a processional by 150 girls of the St. Mary High school and 40 young women from the College of St. Mary, Mgr. James W. Stenson, vicar general of the Omaha diocese, unveiled and blessed the statue.

With illumination it will be visible for blocks on St. Mary’s avenue. Omaha World-Herald, Dec 9, 1931

It’s not clear how long the grotto existed there; St. Mary’s High School merged with another school and moved. The grotto may have been located where the St. Peter’s Church parking lot has been built.

Mt. Carmel Home, Kearney (1934, not extant)

A May 1934 newspaper article stated that:

The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, recently erected on the grounds of the Francis G. Keens’ Home for the Aged, Seventeenth street and Fifth avenue, will be solemnly dedicated on Sunday afternoon at four o’clock, by the Rev. H. Muenstermann. Kearney Hub, May 26, 1934

I could not find any photos of that grotto, and it does not appear to have survived–although the statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and Bernadette stand next to the front entrance in a nicely landscaped bed.

Spalding Academy, Spalding (1934, extant)

Spalding Academy was founded in 1891 in the town of Spalding, about 150 miles west of Omaha and with a population of around 400, and has continued to operate for more than 135 years. (Both the town and the academy were named after John Lancaster Spalding, first bishop of Peoria and a founder of Catholic University of America.)

In early 1934, a series of articles was published in the local newspaper:

Grotto To Be Built On Academy Grounds Local Clubs Give Proceeds of Benefit Party as First Donation. Spalding. Academy at its erection was dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. For more than thirty years Our Blessed Mother has watched the progress of the institution under the careful guidance of the Dominican Sisters. This thirty-third anniversary of its erection seems a fitting time to honor its Patroness with a Grotto. The Spalding Enterprise, Feb 8, 1934

Work has been progressing on the grotto, being built on the grounds of the Spalding. Academy, just east of the school building. This grotto, when completed, will be the only one in this immediate part the state, It will be dedicated to Our Lady Lourdes, the patroness of the school. The Spalding Enterprise, Apr 12, 1934

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, now nearly completed, is attracting many admiring spectators. During the past week financial assistance has been gratefully received from the following; Our Lady of Lourdes Alumni, Mr. Michael Lacy, Miss Elizabeth Higgins, Mrs. Tully, Mrs. Daniel Flannigan, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rasschaert. A brass plate, bearing the names of all who contribute twenty five dollars or more will occupy a prominent place on the Grotto. The names of donors will appear in this paper each week. Even the smallest offering will be appreciated. The Spalding Enterprise, Apr 19, 1934

The grotto fund is still increasing. We have collected up to date $214. The remaining $86 will, I am sure, be paid in the near future. We can then say the people of Spalding erected the grotto, and not the Sisters. A brass plate will be placed in front of Our Blessed Mother, bearing the names of those who donated $25.00. The names for that plate are as follows: (1) Spalding Benefactors (which will Include all donations less than $25); (2) Women’s local clubs; (3) Alumni; (5) Mr. R. Walsh, In memory of Sr. Henrica; (6) Miss Hannah Sullivan in memory of her father; (7) Miss Hannah Sullivan; (8) Mr. T. Naughtin, who gave his labor to the grotto. The Spalding Enterprise, May 31, 1934

The following made contributions to the Grotto fund the past week: Mrs. Michael Lacy, $10 Mrs. Fred Semper, $5 Mr. L. C. Harris, $5 Mr. Luke Finn, $5 Mrs. Mary Berger, $1. The Sisters wish to express their appreciation to Doctor Sullivan for supplying the gold fish, and to Walter Weber for the pond lilies for the pool on the Grotto grounds. The Spalding Enterprise, Jun 7, 1934

I could not find any published account of a dedication or blessing of the grotto, which seems to have been completed by May 1934. Landscaping work continued the following year:

The Academy Sisters wish to express their appreciation to Mrs. Luke Finn for donating a dozen hydrangeas to the Grotto grounds, Mrs. Finn commended the Sisters for their efforts to make Spalding beautiful and expressed delight in helping to add beauty to the shrine. The Grotto was built last year by the generous contributions of our friends as a token of loyal devotion to the Blessed Virgin. The grounds were beautiful in spite of drought. This spring the Sisters are renewing the work, and if any one has shrubs or plants to contribute to this beauty spot, we are, sure our Lady of Lourdes will be pleased and the Sisters will again be grateful. The Spalding Enterprise, Mar 21, 1935

The Sisters wish to thank Mr. Emil Kavalec for offering his personal service and special Interest in the work of beautifying the Grotto grounds. He is sponsoring a flower fund to which his wife has donated the first $5, and this column will publish each week the names of friends who contribute. Since Mr. Kavalec has had experience in landscaping gardens, we are most fortunate to have his kindly assistance. May Our Lady shower in the Spalding Community, all spiritual and temporal blessings, especially rain. The Spalding Enterprise, Apr 11, 1935

The Grotto grounds at the Academy present a truly beautiful aspect now. Plantings have been expertly arranged by Mr. Kavalec and the results are most gratifying. Spalding may be genuinely proud of this beauty spot. The Spalding Enterprise, Jun 27, 1935

Continued on Nebraska Grottos Page 2 >>