Peaceful Religious Retreat for Pilgrims

The Village of Dickeyville is a destination for Catholics all over Wisconsin. During the late 1920's, Father Matthias Wernerus crafted the Dickeyville Grotto and Shrines from stone and dedicated the building to the "...unity of two great American ideals-love of God and love of Country.'' This shrine is unique because it embraces both the Catholic faith and patriotism. Embedded in the stone and mortar are a variety of brightly colored glass, pottery, stalagmites and stalactites, seashells, starfish, gems, sea urchins, corals, quartz, ores, iron, copper, lead, fool's gold, onyx, amethyst, rock crystals, coal, wood, and moss. This creates a chaotic, yet unique piece of art that draws visitors from all over the Midwest.

Featured on the grounds of the Grotto are several shrines including the shrine of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacred Heart shrine, a patriotic shrine, Christ the King shrine, the Stations of the Cross, and the Fatima shrine. The shrines are located throughout the garden surrounding the onsite Holy Ghost Church. The Grotto has pillars of rose quartz sent from South Dakota on either side of its entrance, one of which is crowned with the American flag and the other with the papal flag. The face of the Grotto has fifteen decade's worth of rosaries embedded in the stone. There is a statue made of Italian White Carrara Marble, which was sculpted in Europe. The walls of the interior of the Grotto feature the stones, corals, and shells for which the Grotto is famous.

The Tree of Life on the grounds features the 12 fruits of the Holy Ghost. The Sacred Heart Shrine is a recreation of the altar erected in Soldiers' Field during the International Eucharist Congress in 1926. That altar had duplicated the one in the Church of St. Paul in Rome. There are four pillars supporting the dome and were sculpted from New Mexican rock and banded with brightly colored glass. The Altar of the Holy Eucharist is a small shrine with grapes and wheat symbols honoring the Holy Eucharist. Finally, The Flower Pot is considered one of the most beautiful attractions at the site. It is a welcoming reminder of the lovely statuaries and buildings seen on the rest of the land.

The Holy Ghost Church was dedicated in 1873. More and more people began to worship there and soon it needed to be expanded. The building in use today was created in 1913 and holds worship services on Saturday and Sunday. There are also annual events held at the church including an annual picnic featuring games, prices, and a family style chicken and ham dinner.

The Grotto houses a gift shop where pilgrims and visitors can purchase religious items including gifts for weddings, baptisms, and first communions, as well as holiday items. Inventory includes crosses, statues, Nativity scenes, and a spectacular collection of rosaries in a variety of price ranges. The Dickeyville Grotto, featuring the Holy Ghost Church, is the site of typical weekly worship service for some, and a destination to explore and appreciate religion and patriotism for others.