Pacific, Missouri: Black Madonna Shrine and Grottoes
RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
- Address:
- 100 St Joseph Hill Rd, Pacific, MO
- Directions:
- I-44 exit 264 (Eureka). Turn south onto Hwy 109. Drive two miles to Hwy FF. Turn right. Drive four miles to Hwy F. Turn left. Drive one mile to St. Joseph's Rd. Turn right. Drive one mile. The entrance to the Shrine will be on the left.
- Hours:
- Summer daily 9-7, off-season 9-4 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 636-938-5361
- Admission:
- Free, donations appreciated.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Brother Bronislaus Luszcz, inspired by the Black Madonna of Poland, spent over 20 years building an impressive collection of grottoes. He died, still working, in front of one of them.
Roadsideamerica.com Report... [12/16/2012]Visitor Tips and News About Black Madonna Shrine and Grottoes
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People from all over the world have sent jewelry, figurines, trinkets and shells for use in the construction of grottos. Their small gift shop is packed with Catholic items. It's a beautiful place, a quiet spot in the middle of the country.
[Deanna B, 03/29/2023]
The Black Madonna Shrine, "Our lady of Czestochowja" During the 1930's a monk living at a nearby monastery fashioned an immense series of grottoes by hand, replicating the Way of the Cross. The property and grottoes take up several acres of land and is quite impressive. The site is located off of highway F in Jefferson County and has been a tourist attraction for years. The Brother who built the site also used any ordinary household items he could get his hands on to make 'stained glass' windows in the grottoes. The fantastic decorations are shards of broken crockery, costume jewelry, seashells and other items. It sounds absolutely bizarre, but is really beautiful. It's listed as the "Black Madonna Shrine". Small admission fee is charged. Sunrise services held at Easter.
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Oct. 2012: Photo added. Brother Bronislaus Luszcz of the Franciscan Missionary Brothers started in 1938 and spent 22 years building the Black Madonna Shrine and Grottoes.