Few People Know There’s A Mystical Grotto Hidden Along Bartley Street In Indiana
By Tori Jane|Published July 08, 2022
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Tori Jane
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Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Nestled in Jasper, Indiana, on Bartley Street between 9th and 13th streets is an impressively beautiful labor of love that took a little over a decade to create. Despite having been inspired by the famous Grotto of Lourdes in France, where numerous miracles are said to have occurred, as one builder put it: “There were no blueprints, just inspiration.” It shows. The stunning Providence Home Geode Grotto, as it’s come to be known, is to this day an amazing testament to the human spirit. This hidden grotto in Indiana must be seen to be believed, and once you’ve experienced it, you’ll no doubt want to return. Check it out:
From 1960 to 1970, Father Phillip Otav built, with plenty of help, this incredible secret geode grotto on the grounds of what is now Cathedral Health.
It contains thousands of beautiful, natural geodes collected from Heltonville, a nearby town that just so happened to have plenty of the glistening stones on hand.
The geodes were mixed with marble, limestone, and all sorts of odd, interesting, and unusual found objects to create the stunning sanctuary we know and love.
It is fascinating just how few locals - born and bred in the Hoosier State - actually know that the grotto exists. But when they learn of it, and they show up - they're in for an unusual treat.
The incredible work of art (and worship) was built lovingly not just by Father Ottavi but also by workers and residents of the Providence Home, on whose grounds the grotto was being built.
Father Ottavi's passion was powerful. On one occasion, he fell quite a distance from a platform whilst working on the main grotto, and by morning, he was right back to work.
After all, his vision wasn't going to build itself, and his co-builders required his guidance and that same vision to proceed. Despite this and several other minor setbacks, the grotto, in all its enormous, sparkly glory, was completed in 1970.
Today, it's a place of quiet and respite that, despite being hidden alongside a road, is home to abundant peace and quiet, as well as lots of room for reflection.
Other than just the geodes, the grotto is also filled with gorgeous planters, fountains, and at least two shrines. There's the Mother of God shrine, on the southern end of the expanse, and the St. Joseph Shrine on the northern end. You'll enter through the Mother of God Shrine when you visit.
The white marble Carrara statues were imported all the way from Italy. The result of this incredible effort?
Oh, nothing - just one of Indiana's most beautiful, unique hidden gems that even many locals don't know about. But now you do - and you can visit anytime.
Though the Providence Home is technically no longer a thing, the grotto still stands. It’s located on the grounds of the Cathedral Healthcare Center, a skilled nursing facility. You’ll find it on Bartley Street, between 9th and 13th streets, as we mentioned before.
Have you ever checked out this gorgeous hidden grotto in Indiana? Do you plan to? Send us all your photos and thoughts in the comments!
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