Lourdes Grottos in North Dakota
I have been able to find 14 Lourdes grottos in the state of North Dakota, at least 10 of which still exist. I’m hoping to find more–please contact me if you know of others in North Dakota. Thanks!
And I found this 1968 Grand Forks newspaper article about local shrines, that may be of interest to North Dakota Catholics.
St. Boniface Cemetery, Grenora (c.1932, extant)
The Lourdes grotto at St. Boniface Cemetery near Grenora may be the oldest one in the state of North Dakota. St. Boniface Church was built in 1912, in a rural location about ten miles south of the town of Grenora, according to a 1966 book about the history of Grenora. That book also states:
Fr. August Buser 1931-35; during his pastorate the sanctuary was remodeled and the Grotto was erected….
Grenora, North Dakota, Golden Jubilee, 1916-1966, page 139
A new church was built in the town of Grenora in 1965 and the old one torn down, but the cemetery remains in its rural location, with its grotto still intact and well maintained.
St. Mary’s School, New England, ND (1929-1934, not extant)
A tremendously interesting grotto was built by Sister M. Catherine Becker at St. Mary’s School in the town of New England in the early 1930s. A local history book states that:
Sister M. Catherine Becker was at St. Mary’s from 1924 to late 1932. In that time, she taught piano, orchestra instruments, directed concerts and programs for the public and played organ for church. She directed the landscaping of the school grounds and the building of two large stone pillars with lights which graced the curved driveway into the school. With the help of students and parishioners she saw to the building of a beautiful grotto of petrified wood, designed like the original shrine at Lourdes in France. This was constructed where the gymnasium now stands.
Several outdoor altars were built on the school grounds, plus the two side altars and the shrine at the church. Sister Catherine was also a taxidermist, preserving animals and birds of Dakota. Her interest in nature extended to the local rock and soil and she identified these items with the assistance of Smithsonian authorities. Sister died a few months after leaving here for Clarkston, WA. Is it any wonder that her own sister lovingly nick-named her “Catherine the Great?”
New England Centennial 1886-1986: Century of Change, pages 79-80
NUNS BUILDING SHRINE IN N.D. New England Monument To Virgin Mary Erected By Sisters: From the petrified forests of the Badlands, sisters of St. Mary’s high school, New England have gathered the colorful rock and petrified wood for the shrine they have constructed in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The work started five years ago under the supervision of Father Joseph Poettgens and the late Sister Superior M. Catherine of St. Mary’s school.
They received their inspiration from the Rev. P. M. Dobberstein, the “Rock Priest,” builder of the world famous “Grotto of the Redemption” at West Idaho, who visited them and secured their assistance in getting three carloads of petrified wood from the Badlands for his celebrated work of art.
Huge slabs of petrified wood, “cannon balls” from the Cannon Ball river, scoria in various hues and strange rock formations of various kinds have gone into the building of the New England shrine. Still incomplete, it is visited annually by hundreds of tourists.
The Forum (Fargo, North Dakota), Mar 31, 1934
The Grotto of the Redemption, built by Father Paul Matthias Dobberstein in West Bend, Iowa between 1912 and his death in 1954 is a complex of nine contiguous grottos and is, according the National Historic Registration form about it, “the finest and grandest example of a phenomenon known as regional grottos…. It is one of the world’s largest manmade grottos and the most extensive mosaic ever created.”
Sadly, New England’s specimen of this fascinating type of construction was removed, likely in the 1950s, when a school gymnasium was built.
St. Catherine’s Church, Lomice (1938, extant)
St. Catherine’s Church was built by Czech immigrants between 1936 to 1938, according to the “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for St. Catherine’s Church of Lomice.” The grotto was added around 1938:
The church grounds also contain one large grotto and three small grottos…. The large grotto measures 20′ north-south x 35′ east-west and faces north. It is located 90′ east of St. Catherine’s Church…. Parishioners constructed the grottos and the church itself using fieldstone they had gathered. The large grotto and landscape plan are based on designs conceived by Rev. Mikolasek and drafted by the Kaletta Statuary Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Rev. Mikolasek probably sketched his original idea for the church landscape sometime in 1937, the same year the sketches were submitted to the Kaletta Statuary Company. A reply from the statuary company dated January 27, 1938 states that:
“From all indications of the plan sent, the Reverend Father [Mikolasek] has the whole thing pretty well thought out and while certain suggested changes could be made the lay and position of the grounds in appearance when one is there probably figures out best in this way. The grotto seems to form the central point or feature of the grounds with the entrance so placed to front of it.”
The cemetery was not part of the initial landscape design. Landscape design balance is maintained by location of the church to the west of the large grotto and the cemetery to the east of the large grotto. The large grotto, with the churchyard entrance placed to its north, thus remained the focal point of the grounds. Placement of the three small grottos also define a space in the northwest comer of the grounds so that parishioners can proceed in a circuit from the church to the grottos, either beginning or ending with the large grotto, and then back to the church. Though the final landscape design is somewhat different from the early sketches and drafts, there is no question that the current landscape developed out of those early plans and reflects a professional design response to Rev. Mikolasek’s initial concept. Professional involvement in church landscape design was rare for rural churches in North Dakota.
“National Register of Historic Places Registration St. Catherine’s Church of Lomice, North Dakota.“
St. Catherine’s Parish was closed by the Diocese of Fargo in 2005, but parishioners established a preservation group that has maintained the church and grottos, according to a Facebook post.
St. Joseph’s Church, Lankin (1943, extant)
St. Joseph’s Church was first built in Lankin in 1909. A history of Walsh County stated:
In 1943 a grotto was built between the church and parish house. It was built by Joseph Vitek of Lomice with the help of parishioners.
Walsh Heritage: A Story of Walsh County and Its Pioneers, Vol. 02, page 1034
A 1941 article about the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Father Mikolasek, a Bohemian native who was pastor of St. Joseph from 1911 to his death in 1950, mentioned that:
The Lankin priest is a horticulturist of some repute and the five, acre tract surrounding the church and parish house is filled with flowers, shrubs, fruit and shade trees. Of particular interest are his large variety of raspberries, which grow in abundance in the garden.
At present Father Mikolasek is supervising the erection of a grotto for a shrine to the Blessed Virgin which is under construction in the church yard. This is being built of stone and when finished will be ornamented with electric lights and a fountain.
Grand Forks Herald, Jul 18, 1941
A Grand Forks newspaper published an announcement of its dedication with a photo:
A stone grotto to “Our Lady of Lourdes” which was recently completed on the grounds of the St. Joseph’s Catholic church here, will be blessed at ceremonies today. Rev. V. F. Mikolasek, pastor of the church, will conduct mass at 8 A.M. and 10 A.M. and the blessing ceremonies take place at 3 P.M. with Rev. John Garland of Grafton officiating. The services will include a sermon, the litany and benediction and a letter from Bishop A. J. Muench of the Fargo diocese. The grotto is a copy of the Grotto of Lourdes in France. It was built by members of St. Joseph’s parish under the direction of Father Mikolasek.
Grand Forks Herald, Aug 15, 1943
Another article added:
Catholic people of Czech descent from 30 states have contributed to the building the grotto of Lourdes, a copy of the grotto at Lourdes, France, which will be dedicated today at Lankin, N. D.
The Forum (Fargo, North Dakota), Aug 15, 1943
The St. Joseph Church website states: “In 1943, with countless hours of help from the parishioners and the inspiration of Father Mikolasek, the Grotto of Lourdes was erected out of area field rocks in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a well-known fact
that Czechs are known for their love of the Blessed Virgin.”
St. Thomas Catholic Church, Buffalo, ND (1945, extant)
A promotional brochure for the town of Buffalo, ND gives this information about the Lourdes grotto at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Buffalo:
In 1945, a French priest began construction of the grotto, the cross on the front lawn and the interior remodeling. The grotto has a
“Come Visit Buffalo North Dakota“
poured concrete foundation, walls and ceiling with uncut stone on top of concrete. Instead of rebar, wheels from steam engines and other pieces of steel were used lo enforce the concrete, as well as bars from the Buffalo City jail. The vaulted, arched grotto has a secondary vaulted, arched grotto structure on top containing a statue of the Madonna. The platform for the crucifix is composed
of wood, ceramic and concrete.
And a short newspaper article announced the grotto’s dedication in 1949:
St. Thomas Church, Buffalo, N. D. (Sunday, Oct. 30) 3 p.m. Solemn blessing and dedication of our grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The Forum (Fargo, North Dakota), Oct 29, 1949
Lies Family Lourdes Grottos, Wells County (1940s)
The 1968 article linked at the top of this page mentioned the ubiquity of Catholic shrines built on local farms, including two Lourdes grottos on private farms, both built by the Lies family.
The farm of Raymond N. Lies in Cathay, and the farm of (likely) his son, John Lies in Fessenden, both had Lourdes grottos according to that article:
One of the most elaborate farm shrines is “Immaculate Conception” on the Ray Lies farm at Bremen. It has neon lights, a loudspeaker, a stone church with a side shrine and a wrought iron fence. An inscription on the plaque says: “This grotto has been erected to the glory of God and His Blessed Mother in thanksgiving for their continued blessings upon our home and farm and for the ending of World War II.” It was erected in 1945 at a cost of $2,500.
The Lourdes Shrine on the John Lies farm at Fessenden was built in 1946 in thanksgiving for return of two sons from World War II.
Grand Forks Herald, Apr 14, 1968
Another article in 1975 included a news photo of the Lourdes grotto on the Ray Lies farm, the residence of his son Peter Lies and his family by that date.
I was unable to determine the address of the Fessenden farm, or whether either of the Lourdes grottos has survived to the present.
St. Mary’s Church, Hague (c.1940s?, extant)
St. Mary’s Church in Hague, a surprisingly large, ornate, beautiful brick church for a town of only 70 people, was built by mainly Russian and German immigrants and has been lovingly maintained, as has the Lourdes grotto built on the grounds of the church. A local history book described the building of the church and the grotto:
As in many small Christian communities, the church was the center of all activities; in Hague it was St. Mary’s Catholic Church, dedicated Aug . 20, 1908 by Bishop John Shanley. It was said to have the prettiest interior of any church in North Dakota. The church cost $30,000 and the rectory cost $5,000.00. There was a clock on each side of the church steeple.
On Feb. 13, 1929, tragedy struck the community of Hague when St. Mary’s Church burned to the ground….The new church, 138′ long and 44′ wide, with a seating capacity of 500, was built of brick and steel, with a concrete floor . The cornerstone was laid on Aug. 4, 1929….
NICHOLAUS MOSSER (1880-1958) (Story submitted by Mrs. Vic Baumgartner, Braddock) The only member of his family coming to the U. S. from Russia, Nicholaus Mosser arrived in the Hague area in 1905. He was seventeen years old…. When the present Hague Church was built in 1929, Mr. Mosser hauled the bricks from the depot to the Church site on a flat-bed drawn by horses. The brick was all shipped in by rail. In his later years Mr. Mosser was a mason. He built the Grotto that stands north of the church in Hague. It was built around the arch that remained standing after that church burned down.
History of Emmons County, 1976, pages 81; 139
It’s not certain exactly what year the grotto was built, but clearly before Mr. Mosser’s death in 1958, when he was 78 years old–and likely some time before that, if he built the grotto himself.
Sacred Heart Church, Oakwood (1952, extant)
The 1968 Grand Forks Herald article about local shrines, at top, had a single sentence about the Lourdes grotto in Oakwood:
Sacred Heart parish of Oakwood in Walsh County erected a shrine, Our Lady of Lourdes in 1952.
Grand Forks Herald, Apr 14, 1968
Father A.J. Richard, who served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish of Oakwood from 1950 to 1967, contributed his memories to a 1981 church history:
…many memorable events and happenings never to be forgotten. How could I ever forget the building of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, at a time when I was seriously ill in St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester…
In the summer of 1952, a prolonged drought threatened to reduce the growing crops to complete failure. It was then that an appeal was made to the people to make a contribution towards the erection of a shrine in honor of Our Blessed Lady. The people cheerfully responded and a shrine was constructed, just across the road from the academy. In late October, the people again got together to do some more work on the shrine. But this time it was in Thanksgiving, their prayers had been answered. After some much needed rain, a good crop was harvested.
But their paster, Father Richard, could not be with them this time, as he was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., undergoing major surgery. No doubt God was well pleased with the work the people of Oakwood were performing in Mary’s honor and He granted them a second request, which was the quick recover of their paster and his return to his parish.
In subsequent years, during the month of May, each evening the weather permitting, Father Richard, the Sisters and the children from the academy and many of the parishioners gathered at the shrine to say the rosary in tribute to Our Holy Mother.
The shrine adds much to the beauty of the Oakwood village, especially at night when it is lit up. The shrine can also be a reminder to the people that they too can appeal to Our Blessed Mother that she intercede with Her Divine Son for any assistance they may need.
Sacred Heart Church, Oakwood, North Dakota. Parish Centennial History – 1981. Part 4, pages 63-64
Sacred Heart Church, Orrin (1953, extant)
Sacred Heart Church in Orrin, built in 1947 (the 3rd in a series of church buildings constructed after the previous one burned), added stations of the cross and shrines to its grounds in the 1950s, under Father Julius Binder, pastor 1946-1959. A 1987 Orrin history booklet states:
Starting at the South gate are the Fourteen Stations of the Cross. After the first two stations is the Grotto of St. Bernadette and Mary. A small pond and a kneeler are in front. During the summer, it is decorated with flowers….
Diamond jubilee, 75 years of Orrin, North Dakota, 1912-1987, page 14
A newspaper article in that booklet (unidentified author and original publication) stated:
In the early 1950s all Deaneries of Fargo were requested to prepare special Marian celebrations. Msgr. Boniface Stutz of Balta and Msgr. Nicholas Cloos of Rugby approached Rev. Julius Binder of Orrin to prepare an adequate celebration. The Orrin church grounds are a tribute to Rev. Binder. They were begun in 1948. The grounds, consisting of about, three acres, were plowed by Leo and Eugene Schell. Ash, boxelder, evergreen and fruit trees were planted.
The work on the stations of the cross and Lourdes grotto (south) were begun the summer of 1953. Tony, David and George Axtman, Billy and Martha Schell, Gerald Schneider and Harold Leier carried the rocks and Rev. Binder did the pick work. Tony Axtman laid the rocks. The rock was quartz from Custer, S.D. Martin Koble hauled the prairie rock from the countryside.
Diamond jubilee, 75 years of Orrin, North Dakota, 1912-1987, page 32
A 1954 article announced the blessing of the grotto:
Orrin Priest to Say 1st Mass ORRIN, N. D.. Rev. Joseph Senger will offer his first mass here next Sunday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Rev. Senger is the first member of the Heart parish to become ‘a priest…. The evening program will consist of a parish supper at 6 p.m. and a procession to the newly-erected grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on the church grounds. Rev. Senger will bless the grotto.
Grand Forks Herald, Jun 6, 1954
Sacred Heart Church closed in 2008 but still exists. Surprisingly, the statues in the outdoor shrines remain in place and appear to be largely maintained. Only a few houses remain standing in the once-bustling town of Orrin, which Google identifies thus: “Population: 0 (2023)”
Twin Shrines, Orrin (1954, partially extant)
Another Lourdes shrine with a very interesting story was located only one mile north of the town of Orrin, and was built around the same time as the Orrin grotto.
As told in this fascinating story by Jerry Penry, this shrine was built by twin brothers Wendelin M. Bickler and Joseph M. Buechler (they each chose different ways to spell their surname). The brothers discovered that their farm lay very close (only 4.1 miles south) to the coordinates for the geographical center of North America, and in the early 1950s, they decided to build a stone marker to proclaim this.
As Catholics and with the approaching Marian Year of 1954 declared by the Pope, they decided to make it a shrine to Mary as well.
Mary, The Center of America: This shrine was built on land owned by Wendelin Bidder. It is made of native rock and took three years to complete. It was finished in 1954, the Marian year…. It is built on the northern most point of his land, closest to the Geophysical and the Geographical center of North America. On the pathway to the Shrine, you will pass other smaller shrines, one to the American Indian, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, and St. Joseph and the Child Jesus. There is a large plaque in memory of Anna Bidder and the Way of the Cross.
Diamond jubilee, 75 years of Orrin, North Dakota, 1912-1987, page 14
In a 1981 article, Wendelin Bickner downplayed the geographical significance of his shrine, and asserted that:
My most important part, is the shrine to the heart of America…. Our country is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, and that’s the heart of America.
The Forum (Fargo, North Dakota), December 13, 1981
After Wendelin Bickler’s death in 1988, the shrine was the subject of legal wrangling between a neighbor who owned the surrounding land, and a religious cult that took up residence there as squatters. Later, the shrine was no longer maintained and fell into disrepair, as usually happens to private shrines (and gardens).
St. Anthony’s Convent / Saint Gianna & Pietro Molla Maternity Home, Warsaw/Minto (1958, extant)
The Sisters of the Resurrection arrived in Warsaw in 1918 and began the construction of St. Anthony School and Convent, which opened in 1921, according to the Sacred Heart and St. Stanislaus website. A 1958 newspaper article, which included the above photo, announced that:
The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, located on the grounds of St. Anthony’s Convent here, will be dedicated next Sunday at 3 p.m., with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Maluski, pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church here, officiating.
The grotto, long a desire of Sisters of the Resurrection at the convent, was built during the past year by the parishioners of St. Stanislaus Church. Appropriately, construction of the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes was completed during a time when France was observing the centennial of the Apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes, France. In addition to the contributions to the construction of the grotto by the church congregation as a whole, Mr. and Mrs. Julian Wysocki donated seven evergreens which were planted at the site as a first step in beautifying the grotto surroundings. An inscribed granite stone placed before the shrine was donated by Kamrowski Funeral Home at Grafton.
Grand Forks Herald, Sep 28, 1958
The school was closed in 1971, but the building continues to serve the community as the pro-life ministry Saint Gianna & Pietro Molla Maternity Home, which offers a safe and peaceful place for pregnant women and their children. The Lourdes grotto still stands on the side lawn of the Home, and has been beautifully maintained and cherished.
St. Andrew’s Church, Zeeland (late 1950s?, extant)
St. Andrew’s Church in Zeeland was established in 1906, enlarged in the 1940s, and replaced with a new church building in 1991. A c.1989 church history, from which the above photo was taken, states that the Lady of Lourdes Shrine behind the church was built during the pastorate of Father Joseph Mentel, who served from 1953 to 1970. It’s very possible it was constructed in the Marian year of 1954 or the 1958 centennial of the apparitions at Lourdes.
