Our Lady of the Falls Grotto Shrine

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Our Lady of the Falls Grotto Shrine

A special place of silence and reverance at Notre Dame Church in Chippewa Falls, WI, Our Lady of the You are welcome to visit, rest awhile and pray.

Built in 1940 of local granite, the 24-foot Our Lady of the Falls has watched over the city of Chippewa Falls and its visitors from high on the East Hill for more than three generations. It is a historic site of pilgrimage from near and far, a sanctuary for prayer and quiet contemplation, a setting for photos of weddings, baptisms and other life events. The repair and restoration of Our Lady of th

e Falls grotto shrine was completed in Ausgut 2022. Located in front of Notre Dame Catholic Church, the Mother Church of the Chippewa Valley built in 1870, the shrine is accessible and open 24 hours a day.

11/16/2024

Available now, this new book by photographer and traveler Michael Cooney of Oshkosh features 186 religious shrines and chapels found throughout Wisconsin, including Our Lady of the Falls.

"From the magnificent and world famous to the simplest back yard shrine, each has a story that reflects its builder's vision, ethnic heritage and faith," Michael writes. "Visit, experience, and take a moment of silence to the let the site speak."

Paperback. 266 color pages. $56 includes shipping and handling.

02/03/2024

In 1942, the Rev. Richard H. Ackerman, C. S. Sp., National Director of the Holy Childhood Association met with McDonell High School students and faculty. Ackerman's stop in Chippewa Falls included a visit Our Lady of the Falls grotto shrine. Rev. Ackerman (1903-1992) would go on to be appointed, in 1956, first Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, CA. From 1960 until his retirement in 1978, he was Bishop of the Diocese of Covington (KY).

01/27/2024

This photo of Our Lady of the Falls and accompanying poem by senior Jeanette Cote appears in the 1941 McDonnell Memorial High School yearbook, The Iris. The shrine had been completed just months earlier. The figure of Bernadette is missing from the lower niche. A figure may be at left near the altar. Is that the back of a head and perhaps a staff? Other items that do not yet appear include the cross at the top of the grotto and the plaque above Mary that would read Our Lady of the Falls.

OUR LADY OF THE FALLS
Jeanette Cote '41

O'erlooking our valley, there stands on the hill
A structure of beauty, a haven of love;
Where Mary, our Mother looks down on us all
And showers choice blessings from Heaven above.

There's no place just like it; 'tis a truth never tiring,
Where'er we may roam, we'll return when it calls;
Our worship commanding, our heart's love inspiring
We have faith and we love dear Lady of the falls.

01/01/2024

Happy New Year! On this first day of 2024, enjoy this photo of Donald and Irene (Skaleski) White taken in front of the shrine on their wedding day, September 20, 1947. In 1967 they started White Glass, which their son Dale continues to run in downtown Chippewa Falls.

It is not common for photos such as these to turn up. Someone ordering glass spotted this one on Dale's sales counter, and Dale agreed to share it.

06/28/2023

This detailed plaster miniature of Our Lady of the Falls is currently on display at the new Chippewa Area History Center.

Its provenance is uncertain. Director Frank Smoot says, "I believe this was most probably given by Agnes "Tutz" Peloquin as part of a collection of personal mementos that she surrounded herself with at her house (which she shared with her sister Cecelia). . . . My understanding is that Agnes] was an active member of Notre Dame Church. . . ."

Who made the miniature is not known.

Does anyone know more?

04/25/2023

Here is another photo of the grotto shrine shared by Kip Rubenzer from his Uncle Bob's photo album. It depicts a McDonell High School senior on graduation day in, perhaps, the mid-1950s. Is he someone you recognize?

04/14/2023

Kip Rubenzer of Chippewa Falls shares these photos of the grotto shrine from his uncle's album. He believes they date to the 1940s--probably the late 1940s--and possibly taken at the time of his grandparents wedding.

Can anyone identify the priest?

03/07/2023

Lighten Your Load, a laundry assistance program, is looking for more volunteers. Laundry sessions are 4 times a month at Express Mart Laundromat in Chippewa Falls. Two volunteers are at each session to offer quarters, detergent, dryer sheets and a listening ear to people who need help making ends meet. In 2022 more than 541 loads of clothes were washed and dried for people in the Chippewa Falls area.

One participant wrote “I’m grateful for this program. There have been times I didn’t have money to do my laundry and was able to go and have my laundry done for free no questions and no shame. Thank you so very much.”

To volunteer for Lighten Your Load click on this SignUpGenius link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094faba928a4f4c61-lylq22023 #/

02/23/2023

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18

A foot of dry, fluffy snow has blanketed Chippewa Falls. The sun emerged late this afternoon and illuminated our Lady of the Falls. Paths were shoveled to the shrine yesterday morning, but they have been erased by drifting snow. All is silent, smooth and white as clean wool.

01/01/2023

On this first day of 2023 and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, we look forward to what the new year may bring. We also look back an estimated 70-80 years to a winter day when students knelt in prayer before Our Lady of the Falls. Kip Rubenzer recently posted this photo on a Chippewa Falls history page. The photo was found among many others in the basement of the Rutledge Charity building on Bridge Street.

Address

117 Allen Street
Chippewa Falls, WI
54729

Website

http://www.thechurchofnotredame.org/

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