The Our Lady of Sorrows Grotto in Cedar Rapids, IA is on the campus of Mount Mercy College. The grotto was built by William Lightner from 1929-1941. Over 1,200 tons of stones were used from around the world. The grotto includes a bridge surrounded by a lagoon, a ten column structure representing the Ten Commandments, and a monumental central shrine with mosaics of the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary. The lagoon was drained in 1970. By 1974, the grotto's main structure was in disrepair and it was replaced with college apartment housing. In 2006, when these photos were taken, the lagoon had been refilled and restoration was in progress. For more, see their website.
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