Grotto of the Redemption
West Bend, Iowa
Paul Dobberstein came to America from Germany
in 1893 to study for the priesthood.
Posted to a German-speaking parish in western Iowa, Father Dobberstein
dedicated his life to the construction of a massive grotto that uses concrete
studded with rocks and geodes to replicate the mountains of his homeland and
retell the story of the fall and redemption of humankind.
To the left, one scene depicts the Expulsion from Paradise.
Credited with introducing the art of grotto-building to the Midwest, Dobberstein began the work on the grotto in 1901. A century later, construction continues under the direction of his former assistant, Father Louis Greving.
For additional information about the Grotto of the Redemption, check out the following web pages:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/IAWESgrot.html
http://www.desmoinesriver.org/grotfront.html
http://www.desmoinesriver.org/grotfront.html
Text
and photos copyright, Susan A. Niles