Our Mother of Sorrows Grotto Historic District, Religious memorial grotto at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Our Mother of Sorrows Grotto Historic District is a religious memorial site at Mount Mercy University featuring a lagoon and five structures. The design includes arched passageways, a bridge, and a ten-column monument that represents the Ten Commandments.
William H. Lightner constructed this site between 1929 and 1941, using 12 tons of stone and 300 varieties of Italian mosaic glass. The work emerged during an era when such outdoor religious monuments became popular across the region.
This site represents a tradition of the American Midwest where people built outdoor spaces to pray and find peace. Visitors can experience today how such places create moments for quiet reflection.
The site is open to visitors during regular hours and accommodates both personal prayer and organized religious services. The paths can become slippery in wet conditions, so sturdy footwear is recommended for safe walking.
The restoration of this site received backing from major national organizations including the Smithsonian Institution. This collaboration shows how significant the place is considered within American cultural history.
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