West Bend Grotto Of Redemption
by Kathy M Krause
Title
West Bend Grotto Of Redemption
Artist
Kathy M Krause
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
The West Bend Grotto of Redemption is a conglomeration of nine grottos depicting scenes in the life of Jesus. It contains more than two hundred and fifty types of semiprecious stones, a large collection of minerals, countless types of rocks, including Iowa's state rock, the Geode, petrification’s, shells and a 2,200-pound stalagmite originating from the Carlsbad Caverns. It is believed to be the largest manmade grotto in the world. The West Bend Grotto of Redemption was the inspiration and life work of German immigrant, Father Paul Dobberstein from 1872 to 1954. Construction of the Grotto began in 1912 and continued, year-round, for forty-two years. Father Dobberstein’s method was to set rocks, gems, minerals, shells, and pieces of petrified wood into concrete. In 1946, Father Louis Greving began helping Dobberstein with the construction. The Grotto covered an area the size of a city block when Dobberstein died in 1954. Matt Szerensce helped contribute the work until his retirement in 1959. The Grotto was maintained by Deacon Gerald Streit from 1994 until his retirement in the early 2000’s. Make sure you visit the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church adjacent to Grotto of Redemption. Inside the beautiful church is a gorgeous nativity scene along with the amazing stained-glass windows. For campers, there is a campground near, to camp at and enjoy the Grotto. If you are a spiritual person, I would highly recommend you visit and take at least two days to take your time and make sure you see it all! There is also a gift shop and museum on the grounds to visit. The Fine Art America watermark will not appear on your purchase. Ideal for your office or home. Fine art canvas prints, greeting cards, puzzles, and many other home decor products are available to choose from.
Uploaded
April 7th, 2023
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Comments (20)
Bernadette Krupa
Kathy, a absolutely beautiful capture "West Bend Grotto Of Redemption"! Grotto was built with Love and devotion!! L/F
Kathy M Krause replied:
I appreciate your wonderful comments and L/F, Bernadette. Thank you so much.
Geert Weggen
Beautiful structure and capture Kathy
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you, Geert, for your view, wonderful comments and fav! You have my gratitude! Blessings.
Harriet Feagin Photography
Very interesting structure. Wow, makes me want to visit there.
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you, Harriet, for your view and enthusiastic comments. I'm very thankful for your thoughtfulness! Blessings.
Kent Keller
Wonderful image Kathy!!
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you, Kent for your view, wonderful comments and fav! You have my gratitude!
Donna Kennedy
Amazing capture Kathy!...F/L
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you, Donna, for your encouraging comments and F/L! I really appreciate your continued support! Blessings.
Nick Boren
WOW, what an amazing place this is Kathy, and you photographed it so well!
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you, Nick, for your enthusiastic comments and fav! You have my gratitude!
Jennifer Jenson
Beautifully captured! Such cool textures with all those fascinating rocks and minerals. Psalm 18 comes to mind...great work!
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you so much, Jennifer, for your encouraging comments and fav! I really appreciate that! Thank you for your suggestion of Psalm 18. I appreciate that! Blessings.
Kathy M Krause
Thank you, David, for featuring "West Bend Grotto Of Redemption," in our group, "Midwest America Photography!" I'm honored!
Linda Howes
Oh isn't it wonderful! great capture Kathy! l/f
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you, Linda, for your view, wonderful comments and l/f! You have my gratitude!
Jurgen Lorenzen
Great perspective with amazing detail and textures, Kathy!
Kathy M Krause replied:
Jurgen, I am grateful for your view, wonderful comments and fav! Thank you very much!
Kathy M Krause
Thank you, Phil, for your view and fav! I appreciate your continued support! Blessings.
Deborah Benoit
Beautiful Kathy!! l/f
Kathy M Krause replied:
Deb, thank you so much for your view, kind comment and l/f! I really appreciate that! Blessings and Happy Easter!
Tom Claud
Beautiful shot with incredible textures, Kathy!
Kathy M Krause replied:
Tom, I am grateful for your view, encouraging comments and fav! Thank you so much! Happy Easter!
Joe Gilronan
Wonderful and what a place, I bet it's a sight to behold. Blessings of the day and the week that follows.
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you, so much Joe, for your view, wonderful comments and fav! I am grateful for your kindness! Blessings and Happy Easter.
Felix Lai
Fantastic capture of the Grotto, love this! l/f
Kathy M Krause replied:
Felix, I am grateful for your view, wonderful comments and l/f! I appreciate your continued support! Blessings.
Kathy M Krause
Judy, thank you for featuring "West Bend Grotto Of Redemption" in our group, "USA Photographers Only- Anything Goes (Admin's Pick)!" I'm honored!
Robert Bales
Outstanding work and presentation, Kathy!! Thanks for the wonderful information! LFTw
Kathy M Krause replied:
Thank you, Robert, for your view, encouraging comments and LFTw! You have my gratitude! You are very welcome for the information. Happy Easter, Robert!
Phil Perkins
A marvelous close-up capture of this textural, historic stone Grotto, Kathy ~ l/f
Kathy M Krause replied:
Phil, I am grateful for your view, encouraging comments and l/f! Thank you very much!
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