The Pilgrims Page: Shrines of Iowa- A stone grotto and a basilica

The Redemption Grotto in West Bend, Iowa has been described by a local magazine as a “miracle in stone.” It’s a maze of not only stones, but fossils, shells, minerals, and even gemstones that guide you through grottos of devotion.

This grotto was the dream and work of Father Paul Matthias Dobberstein, who was born in Germany in 1872. He immigrated to America in 1892, joined the seminary, and became a priest in 1897. He served one year in Dubuque, Iowa before being assigned to Sts. Peter and Paul church in West Bend where he remained for the rest of his life.

The idea for the grotto came into his head when he was a seminarian and became critically ill with pneumonia. He prayed to Our Lady and asked for her intercession with the promise of building her a grotto if he was healed. He was healed and then made his plans for the grotto. At first, though, he needed the material, some of which were not naturally found in the area. It took 12 years of a lot of research and using the connections he and his parishioners had around the world to acquire the right material. In 1912, he was able to start creating a story set in stone; “man’s fall and his redemption by Christ, the savior of the world.”

On August 1, 2015, the Grotto was raised to the status of a diocesan shrine by Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless, Bishop of Sioux City, becoming the diocese’s first designated religious shrine. It’s an incredible array of grottos that merge into one, glimmering with mineral rocks and gems along with religious sculptures. Today there is also a museum and gift shop near the shrine. The shrine is free of charge, but a free will donation is appreciated. 

Not far from the shine in West Bend is the town of Dyersville, a small town with a big basilica. This is not just any basilica, but in 1956 it was designed by Rome as a minor basilica; a papal designated church; one of 93 designated by the Holy Father in the United States.

The first church on this spot was built in 1869 but outgrew the growing population of Catholics quickly. In 1888, the cornerstone for the present basilica was laid in place and the church was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, the patron of missions. It is a fine example of Midwestern Gothic revival architecture. It has 64 large stained-glass windows. The baldacchino rises to a height of 52 feet. The wood carved crucifix above the altar was created in 1873 for the original church. This church is beautiful and well worth a stop.