NOTE: We had a publishing issue with this entry so apologize if it appears as on your reading lists on Wednesday the 5th.
Continuing our tour of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend Iowa. We took a lot of pictures didn't we?
Located next to the Grotto is Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Fr. Dobberstein, the original builder of the Grotto, and Fr. Greving, were parish priests in West Bend and this was their Church. Notice the stone fountain in front.
The church is not part of the guided tour but is worthwhile none the less. Entering the church is impressive.
The altar is also impressive. It is 22 feet tall and hand carved from bird's eye maple. It won 1st Place in the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.
But we were here to see the Christmas Chapel, built by Fr. Dobberstein in 1927.
There is an audio review of the Chapel voiced by Fr. Greving that explains more about the building of the chapel and that there are stones from every state in the Union and every country in the world. Stones selected for the Christmas Chapel were ones that Fr. Dobberstein considered too delicate to handle the weather and the changing seasons. Of particular note is a 300 lb. amethyst from Brazil inset in the wall above the child Jesus.
Here are more pictures of the Christmas Chapel.
This was an unexpected treat of our tour of the Grotto.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
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