The Dickeyville Grotto

A tribute to the twin ideals of religion and patriotism, built by a Catholic priest from rocks, glass, and innumerable found items.

Category Curious Places of Worship, Follies and Grottoes, Outsider Architecture

Image of The Dickeyville Grotto located in  | The Dickeyville Grotto: full of incredible detail and ingenious designs

The Dickeyville Grotto: full of incredible detail and ingenious designs

Source www.dickeyvillegrotto.com
Image of The Dickeyville Grotto located in  | The Dickeyville Grotto: full of incredible detail and ingenious designs Image of The Dickeyville Grotto located in  | Father Matthias Wernerus, a Catholic Priest, built the Dickeyville Grotto from 1925-1930 without the use of blueprints.
Curious Places of Worship http://atlasobscura.com/category/architectural-oddities/curious-places-of-worship Follies and Grottoes http://atlasobscura.com/category/architectural-oddities/follies-and-grottoes Outsider Architecture http://atlasobscura.com/category/architectural-oddities/outsider-architecture

The Dickeyville Grotto and shrines erected in the village of Dickeyville, Wisconsin on the Holy Ghost Parish grounds are the works of Father Matthias Wernerus, a Catholic Priest, Pastor of the Parish from 1918 to 1931. His handiwork in stone, built from 1925-1930, is dedicated to the unity of two great American ideals - love of God and love of Country.

It is a creation in stone, mortar and bright colored objects-collected materials from all over the world constructed without the use of blueprints. They include colored glass, gems, antique heirlooms of pottery or porcelain, stalagmites and stalactites, sea shells, starfish, petrified sea urchins and fossils, and a variety of corals, amber glass, agate, quartz, ores, such as iron, copper and lead, fool's gold, rock crystals, onyx, amethyst and coal, petrified wood and moss.

There are several shrines in the Grotto garden. Besides the main shrine (which houses the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin), there is a patriotic shrine, the sacramental shrine of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacred Heart shrine, Christ the King shrine, Fatima shrine, and the Stations of the Cross. These shrines are located in a beautiful floral garden area surrounding the Holy Ghost Church.

See an error? Know more? Edit this place.

Users who have been to this place: MattB LOBAS spiffyriki

  • Hours Apr 1 - May 31 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Jun 1 - Aug 31 9:00 am - 4:15 pm Sep 1 - Oct 31 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Nov 1 - Dec 15 11:00 am - 2:00 pm (Weekends Only)
  • Website The Dickeyville Grotto
  • Address 305 W. Main St., Dickeyville, Wisconsin, United States
  • Cost No specific fee. All donations greatly appreciated and used for the upkeep of the Grotto and grounds.
Map/Directions

Go to Google Maps

Post a Comment

to comment. Use your Facebook account to login instantly. Anonymous comments will be held in moderation.

Enter the Captcha code below to confirm you're human:
Captcha Image

Contributors for The Dickeyville Grotto
Nearby Places
Facebook

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Email updates

Stay up to date on Atlas Obscura events, tours, and new features.