By Abigail Vannatta
Newman students walking on campus the past several weeks may have noticed a construction crew and equipment outside DeMattias Hall. It turns out, the Mary sculpture and grotto that now sits behind Sacred Heart Hall are being relocated.
Bob Beumer, Newman’s vice president for institutional advancement, worked alongside President Kathleen Jagger on the project, which is just a small part of the larger renovations planned for Newman’s oldest building, Sacred Heart Hall.
Renovations of the building, led by a task force of 10 Newman faculty, began in fall 2024 with the installation of much-needed new windows to the 100-year-old building, Beumer said.
“The remodeling project features a new west side entrance … which would require the grotto to be relocated elsewhere on campus,” he said.
The original grotto, still in place behind Sacred Heart Hall, is a cave-like structure with Mary at the center of a built-in stone wall that has steps leading up to it. The stone was taken from the first building ever built on campus, which was demolished in 1923.
Beumer said the purpose of the new grotto remains the same as the old one: to provide a space for prayer or reflection.
“Historically in the Catholic church, the grotto is a shrine, usually dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, where quiet time for prayer, meditation and devotion can occur,” Beumer said. “The grotto serves as a space where the individual can have a closer encounter with the Mother of Jesus.”
Beumer and Jagger spent months determining where the new grotto should go.
“Sites were either qualified or disqualified because of several factors including weather, foliage, drainage, foot traffic, accessibility and more,” he said. “It was determined that the area outside of DeMattias Hall was the best location.”
Beumer said that he and Jagger spoke with several campus groups, including Campus Ministry and the president’s leadership team, to determine the best spot for it.
“The grotto is a powerful way to foster authentic Marian devotion,” said Father Ed Herzog, director of Campus Ministry. “Her entire mission is to lead us to her son … A grotto on campus would provide a place where we can encounter this same maternal guidance.”
Beumer said the new grotto will differ in appearance from the original but will still incorporate elements of Newman’s history, even reusing some of the same stone.
The stone will be used to create a free-standing, rounded wall with Mary placed against the inside curve, as well as engraved benches facing her. Her sculpture will face towards Sacred Heart Hall.
“The design was created by a team at Dondlinger Construction, a great university partner who is led by Newman alumni,” he said. “There will be seating available to Newman community members and visitors to sit and pray or just relax.”
The sculpture of Mary itself has also been refreshed for the project.
“A local artist gave new life to the Mary sculpture with her wonderful detailed restorative work,” Beumer said.
The new grotto should be complete by early summer.
PHOTO: Abigail Vannatta, Staff Writer
