Grotto: A labor of love
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted August 1, 2002

WEST BEND - One priest's fulfillment of a promise to Mary became a true gift for the Diocese of Sioux City. Visited by thousands of people every year, the Grotto of the Redemption stands as the world's largest man-made collection of petrifaction and precious stones.

Construction on the Grotto of the Redemption began in 1912 by Father Paul Dobberstein. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the grotto.

"The reason he built the grotto was the fact that he was stricken with double pneumonia prior to ordination and he feared for his life," explained Deacon Gerald Streit, director of the grotto. "He prayed to Mary, the mother of God, for her intercession for the grace of health. He promised that if he was to receive health, he would build a grotto some time in his life in her honor."

The very first grotto he built was the Grotto of Mary. It is sometimes referred to as the Grotto of the Promise. As the priest built the grotto, he received so much inspiration from visitors that he then spent the rest of his life telling the story of God's love for the people.

"It seems as though Mary pointed Father Dobberstein to her son to tell the entire story of God's love for us through the Redemption of the Cross," said the grotto director. "It's really a labor of man's love for God, depicting God's love for man."

Streit pointed out that the reason the grotto was built in West Bend is because Father Dobberstein was assigned there as the parish's first permanent pastor.

"We know that he purchased this property some time shortly after he came to West Bend. He developed the property where the grotto sets - the lake, the picnic area, campground. People would come and they would fish and swim," said the director. "It was his personal property until he died in 1954 and at that time he gave it to the Diocese of Sioux City."

One of his best helpers was a young man named Matt Szerencse, who became a convert to the Catholic faith during the time he worked on the grotto. The priest often referred to Szerencse as his right hand man.

Father Dobberstein, with the help of Matt, did the artistic design and the general outer construction of the grotto itself. Engineers have often marveled that the priest was able to build the structure without any blueprint.

Starting in 1946, Father Louis Greving worked with Father Dobberstein for eight years. Upon Father Dobberstein's death, Father Greving cared for the property for more than 40 years. Streit became the director of the grotto in 1994 upon Father Greving's retirement, but the priest was active in its promotion until his death earlier this year.

"He was a wonderful caretaker and he continued to build also and enhance the property," said Streit.

In 1992, Father Greving erected a statue of Father Dobberstein to mark the 80th anniversary of the grotto. It was dedicated on Sept. 14, the feast day of the Exultation of the Cross that was very special to Father Dobberstein. This year, on Sept. 14, the relatives of both priests and Szerencse will be invited to the grotto for a social in order for them to take pride in what their ancestors helped to build in West Bend. It will also mark the anniversary of the grotto.

Today, about 80,000 people visit the grotto every year.

Streit became involved in the grotto in the late 1980s. At that time, the traffic wasn't as great as it was in the 60s and 70s. In recent years, traffic has picked up.

"In the last three to five years, it has held pretty steady," he explained. "We receive about 150 tour busses a year and over 50 school groups." Frequently, bus companies from areas such as the Twin Cities, Omaha and Denver include the grotto as part of their multi-day trips.

Most of the visitors are families from a 200-mile radius. Some people bring travelers from other countries.

Work continues today, mainly to accompanying structures and in relation to preservation. The grotto just received a grant from the Iowa Arts Council to help preserve the marble statues that were imported from Italy.

"The last three years we have devoted our time, energy and money to doing some outer repair and looking at the needs of preserving this wonderful gift," said the deacon. "We have repaired and used some preservatives to protect the stones and the mortar."

The grotto has a suggested donation of $5 per adult and $2.50 per child; however, if people can not afford it they are still welcome.

"The main thing that people feel here at the grotto, that I sense, is a real peace in a time of spiritual awakening," said Streit. "All the wonders I have talked about - the geological, the artistic, the engineering and the sculptures - the heart and soul of the grotto is the spiritual message that they enhance. People can come and visit the grotto and some how internalize that spiritual message into their own spiritual journey."

The grotto is open from daylight until about 11 p.m. Tours are offered on a daily basis, every hour starting at 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. from May through October. Tours are available the rest of the year, weather permitting and by request, anytime. The Grotto of the Redemption features a gift shop, café and camping grounds.

"I would invite parishes and youth groups to visit the grotto so they can cherish the wonderful gift that has been given to us here in the diocese," said Streit.