A 5"x7" nitrate negative, a photograph of the grounds of the Dwight Grottoes of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dwight Assumption parish, Dwight, Nebraska. A statue of the Virgin Mary on a raised stone platform, flanked by matching urns sits above a series of cement and stone steps flanked by a large pair of urns on pedestals, a small brick chapel with a cross above the arched entry door in the background, various trees, shrubs and rocks in the foreground, a two-story brick building to one side and brick church with arched, stained glass windows on the opposite side.
Thorpe Opera House Foundation/Boston Studio Project
Local Accession Number
00S06880002
Source
Original format: 5"x7" nitrate negative from the Boston Studio Project collection.
Historical Notes
The grottoes and small chapel were the idea of Father Benedict Bauer O.S.B., pastor at Dwight from 1931-1943. During his studies for the priesthood, Father Bauer prayed to Mary for help and vowed to build a shrine in her honor if he became a priest. Shortly after arriving in Dwight, Father Bauer realized that the parish grounds between the church and school were ideal for such a shrine. The grottoes and shrine were built with the help of parishioners and dedicated October 28, 1934. The small chapel measures 9 feet by 10 feet, seats four people, and is one of the smallest functioning churches in the world. The grottoes contain three main shrines with large statues, rock garden and fountains.
