A strange site in the middle of Iowa!

This is a strange find in the middle of Iowa! Very eclectic almost odd site and at the same time very spiritual.

Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption,
West Bend, Iowa

When Paul Dobberstein, a young man studying to be a priest, fell ill, he made a promise to God that most people never fulfill.

Father Paul Dobberstein promised that if he survived, he would build a great shrine. He lived, and completed his promise by building the massive Grotto of the Redemption. And it is massive.  The pictures don’t do it justice.

Begun in 1912, it was built using rare rocks from hundreds of miles away. With shells and semi precious stones donated from across the country, Dobberstein and his helper, Father Greving, built the four-story, nine-grotto creation. Each grotto is dedicated to a different theme like the Garden of Eden or the Ten Commandments.

When Father Dobberstein passed away in 1954, his helper Father Greving took over and continued to work on the grotto until he passed away in 2002. Together, they spent nearly a century working on the grotto.

Driving back toward the freeway I stopped at a beautiful little cemetery in the middle of fields of crops.  So well cared for and so stark against the openness of the surroundings country side.  The white cross and angels were very inviting - yes even into the cemetery!

The side said this:  “A cemetery is a sacred place. It is holy ground where the body rests until it is reunited with the soul at resurrection. It is a place where we pray for the dead and reflect on hope of eternal life. Our commitment is to the perpetual care of Divine Mercy cemeteries out of respect for the people who have died and to provide a peaceful environment for family and friends. To preserve the integrity of this cemetery, to protect the sacredness of its grounds, and to promote order and beauty of these grounds, we request your cooperation in following the rules and regulations established.”  Amen!