The Grotto

The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, popularly known as The Grotto, is a Catholic outdoor shrine and sanctuary located in the Madison South district of Portland, Oregon, United States. Constructed in 1924, the sanctuary covers 62 acres (25 ha),[2] set both at the foot of, and atop, a 110 foot (34 m) cliff. It is a ministry of the Servite Friars, Order of Friar Servants of Mary. A large meditation hall whose main chamber is at clifftop level extends down to the foot of the cliff; the cross on the hill is visible many miles away. In addition to a church, there are several thousand feet of trails, including a trail of the Stations of the Cross, along which visitors may pass in contemplation through botanical gardens. The Grotto also features a full-service Conference Center, and a Gift Shop.

For other uses, see Grotto (disambiguation).
The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother
The Grotto
The Grotto shrine, featuring the Pietà
TypeShrine, garden, sanctuary
Location8840 NE Skidmore St
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates45.5533°N 122.5734°W / 45.5533; -122.5734
Area62 acres (25 ha)
Created1924
FounderAmbrose Mayer
Operated byOrder of Friar Servants of Mary
Visitors300,000 (annually)[1]
DesignationNational Sanctuary
Religious AffiliationCatholic (Friars of the Order of the Servants of Mary)

History

The Grotto was established in 1924 by Friar Ambrose Mayer, a native of Ontario, Canada, who was sent to the United States where he was a Servite pastor for the Archdiosese of Portland, Oregon.[3] Upon moving to Portland, Mayer found acreage located outside Northeast Portland that was at the time owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and had been put up for sale to be developed into residential property. Mayer made a downpayment of $3,000 and purchased the property in 1923.[3][4]A national campaign raised the balance of the funds needed to pay for the land.[5]

Mayer envisioned The Grotto as a natural cathedral, and construction began in September 1923. A cave was carved out of the 110-foot basalt cliff, and a statue of Mary holding Jesus's crucified body was installed.[3] Several years later, a marble recreation of Michelangelo's Pietà was also installed. Three thousand people gathered for the first mass at the Grotto on May 29, 1924.

In 1955, the Chapel of Mary was dedicated on the grounds, and in 1983 the Grotto was designated as a National Sanctuary.[3] The grounds of the Grotto include 62 acres[6] of pathways, forest, and an upper-level botanical garden situated above the cliff, which are accessed through an elevator built against the cliff wall.[7] The upper botanical gardens also provide expansive views of the Columbia River Valley, the Cascade Mountains, and Mount St. Helens.[8]

Vandalism

On November 30, 2012, unknown vandals broke into the grounds and vandalized multiple statues.[9] Statues depicting St. Joseph and baby Jesus were beheaded, and a statue of the Virgin Mary was toppled over and also had its head removed.[9] All of the statues were made of centuries-old Carrara marble.[9] Two angel statues were also damaged.[9] The statues have since been replaced or restored.

Features
See also: John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial (Portland, Oregon)
An elevator leads to the upper level botanical gardens located above the cliff.[8]
Plaza Level
  • Chapel of Mary[10]
  • The Grotto[11]
  • Stations of the Cross[12]
  • statues[13]
  • Gift Shop
  • Conference Center
Upper Level Gardens[14][15]
Saint Joseph sculpture at the Grotto.

Sculptures

The Smithsonian Institution has 23 statues and memorials registered at The Grotto:[24]

  • Glorious Mysteries
  • John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial
  • Joyful Mysteries
  • Kneeling Angels
  • Lithuanian Wayside Shrine
  • Marilyn Moyer Meditation Chapel Fountain
  • Our Lady of Lourdes
  • Peace Pole
  • Pietà with Two Angels
  • Sacred Heart
  • Sacred Heart Shrine
  • Saints in Niches
  • Sorrowful Mysteries
  • Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph
  • St. Joseph
  • St. Jude Shrine
  • St. Philip Benizi
  • Stations of the Cross
  • Statue of Mary
  • The Assumption of Our Blessed Mother
  • The Calvary Statue
  • The Christus
  • Via Matris

Events

There are various events at The Grotto throughout the year, as well as meetings and seminars. Every December The Grotto puts up a huge light display along its trails. The first annual "Festival of Lights" first took place in 1988[2] and lasted for ten nights. It has since been expanded in scope and duration, and the 2015 festival ran for 33 days. Besides the light displays, there are nightly concerts, caroling, and other family-oriented entertainment. More than 60,000 people attended the Festival each year.[2]

Monastery

The Grotto's 1936 monastery houses friars of the Servite Order.[25]

References
  1. "The Grotto". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  2. Bingham, Larry (November 23, 2012). "Grotto festival grows but preserves mission". The Oregonian. p. B2. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  3. "Our History". The Grotto. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  4. Graves, James (December 30, 2013). "Sanctuary provides refuge for seekers of peace, consolation". Our Sunday Visitor. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  5. Olson, Donald (2014). The Pacific Northwest Garden Tour. Timber Press, Inc. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-60469-451-2.
  6. Gerald, Paul (2012). Peaceful Places: Portland: 103 Tranquil Sites in the Rose City and Beyond. Menasha Ridge Press. pp. 64–65. ISBN 978-0897329385.
  7. "Spring at the Grotto. Have You Taken the Elevator Up?". The Grotto. October 20, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  8. Burgess, Ann Carol; Rutenberg, Linda (2003). Secret Portland, Oregon: The Unique Guidebook to Portland's Hidden Sites. ECW Press. pp. 105–106. ISBN 978-1550225860.
  9. Staff (November 30, 2012). "Religious statues beheaded at Portland Grotto". KGW. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  10. Chapel of Mary
  11. The Grotto
  12. Stations of the Cross
  13. Statues
  14. Upper Level Gardens
  15. Map Upper Gardens
  16. The Grotto Meditation Chapel
  17. Shrines at the Grotto
  18. The Peace Garden
  19. Mysteries of the Rosary
  20. The Monastery
  21. The Rose Garden
  22. St. Anne's Chapel
  23. Via Matris
  24. "Collections Search: The Grotto Portland". The Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  25. "The Monastery". The Grotto. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
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