Marvel At Man's Ingenuity At The Fascinating Geode Grotto In Indiana
By Tori Jane|Published April 28, 2021
×
Tori Jane
Author
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.
Let’s face it: we, as humans, are drawn to the strange and unusual, whether that means roadside attractions, museums of the curious, or tours through strange places. It means being totally fascinated by others’ creativity and ingenuity, especially when it’s unorthodox, and in this case, one Indiana man went above and beyond for his faith. The Geode Grotto in Indiana is an incredible testament to faith, patience, and creative devotion that you can visit to this day.
The styling of the Geode Grotto, tucked inside Jasper, Indiana, is meant to be an homage to the world-famous grotto at Lourdes.
What had started as the idea of a local pastor soon turned into a modern marvel, spanning four city blocks and filled top to bottom (literally) with sparkling geodes.
Advertisement
You can walk among the walls, crevices, and rooms, admiring the geodes in the walls, as well as the occasional use of shells.
Also a part of the mix are bits of limestone, marble, and plenty of "found" objects to keep it interesting. You'll want to get up close to every section you encounter to get a closer look - in no two places is it the same.
Grottoes are a common symbol of the Catholic faith, and there are established grottoes all over the world, but this particular one is special - because it's ours.
The Geode Grotto was built during the 1960s, and construction was overseen by the minister whose idea it had been birthed from. With his gentle guidance, volunteers from nearby towns as well as folks who worked on the grounds poured their heart and soul into the project.
It's not every day you come across a four-block dedication to man's creativity and faith. There are two shrines at the Geode Grotto; on the south end, there is the Mother of God Shrine, and on the north side is the Saint Joseph Shrine.
Both shrines are well worth a visit, as they're each beautiful in their own rites.
You won't find another grotto like this one anywhere in the United States. Also on the grounds, you'll find peaceful gardens which, during the warmer months, are lush and green.
The entire grounds are cared for with the same amount of adoration as they always have been, ensuring that this strange and beautiful landmark will be around for generations to come.
You can find the grotto in Jasper, Indiana, on the grounds of the Providence Home. It sits on Bartley Street and spans from 6th to 9th. Below, you’ll find the address to help you plan your trip!
Have you ever visited the Jasper Geode Grotto at Providence Home? Tell us what you thought about it in the comments!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
