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Building of Our Marian Grotto
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January 3, 2024In December of 2022, our pastor, Father Robert Rutledge approached our then Grand Knight, Chris Woodward, to see if the Knights of Columbus would be interested in and willing to take on a project to build a Marian Grotto in the alcove area on the side of the church near the columbarium. Chris told Father Robert we would discuss the request at the upcoming planning meeting in January 2023.
The planning meeting resulted in the Knights agreeing to give the project some thought and pray about taking it on. During the season of Lent, our Council had several very successful fish fry fundraisers, and after Easter approved the project and a budget to apply to the design and construction of a Marian Grotto.
Design Concepts
Chris asked our Recorder, Michael Beben if he would be willing to chair the project team and he agreed. Micheal built a cross-functional team of interested Knights, the landscape advisor to the Parish, and the Parish maintenance coordinator. This team discussed concepts of statues, various ways to construct the support structure for the statue, and the environment surrounding the statue. After several meetings, a statue was selected.
When the statue was chosen, the team focused on the design of the space where the statue would be placed. Keeping in line with our values of sustainability and environmental support, the decision to use local materials, local labor, and native plants was determined.
Foundation Construction
Once a final design concept was chosen, the team chose September 16th, 2023, as the day to break ground. The area was marked for the placement of the base of the statue as well as the placement of landscape plants, a cruciform walkway to the statue, and bench placement. Grand Knight, Jeff Spears, offered a prayer of thanks and guidance as we began the project. The team then set to dig a drain for the area to feed into the existing area drain. The soil was prepared for the eventual planting of native plants for pollinators and small wildlife.
Final Construction
After the basic foundation and statue base were completed, final construction began. In this phase, a stone veneer was placed around the statue base. This particular veneer was chosen because it is the same stone veneer used in the construction of the church and chapel buildings as well as for trimming the columbarium area. We hired a hardscape company to build the statue base; they then affixed the stone veneer, placed the stones for the cruciform walkway, and built the benches. Our landscape advisor and Knights planted the native plants in the perimeter area around the statue with support from the Gardening committee on placement.
Dedication & Blessing
As the construction of the Grotto was complete, we worked with our Pastor to schedule the dedication and blessing of the grotto. December 8, 2023, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, was chosen as the date for the dedication and blessing. Following the evening Mass celebrating the Holy Day, the congregation proceeded to the grotto area for the blessing. Father Robert and Deacon Tom Hill performed the dedication ceremony. Past Grand Knight Joe Devlin read the prayer of the faithful.
The Knights of Columbus Council couldn’t be prouder of the contribution to a new prayer space for the faith community of Holy Infant Catholic Church.