The shrine is located amidst God’s glory in a beautiful grove on the shores of Burt Lake. Several smaller shrines are located within the grounds, honoring Saint Francis, Our
Lady of the Highway, The Holy Family, St. Peregrine the Cancer Saint, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Blessed Father Michael McGivney and Divine Mercy.
The story of how the shrine came to be is fascinating.
In 1946, there were 12 Catholic families in Indian River. To serve the large number of Catholics who visited the area, they decided to build a church for them. They also thought a Catholic church would be an asset to the area bringing worshippers and tourists from lands faraway.
Indian River resident J.J. Harrington thought large, undeveloped tracys in the Burt Lake State Park would be perfect. Father LaRoux asked the Department of Conservation for
a parcel of undeveloped state land, but officials refused.
June 23, 1946, Father James Brophy became the new administrator for the planned parish. As Father Brophy drove around the area, he noticed the overwhelmingly beautiful woods.
Father Brophy often thought of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a 17th century Mohawk Indian maiden who converted to Christianity. She was revered because she would make small crosses that she would place on trees.
He thought a new church should be dedicated in her honor, but it could not be because she had not been named a saint.
Early on, Father Brophy began hosting services at the township hall while he continued to search for an appropriate location.
In 1947 Harrington visited Buffalo, N.Y. He attended an outdoor Mass for shut-ins. The faithful could participate from their cars close to the altar. He told Father Brophy about it.
Both dreamed of a local indoor church for residents and an outdoor church that would attract summer worshipers.
Their prayers were answered in 1948 when the Cheboygan County Commission agreed to give them land for the project. The cost was one dollar and a box of chocolates for the secretary!
Mr. Alden Dow, (of the famous Dow family of Midland) was a student of the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. He was particularly skilled at designing buildings blended into their natural surroundings.
Dow volunteered to work on a design. He designed a spectacular shrine based on a Native American “longhouse.” The longhouse followed the bluff above the property and blended into the woods. The church was completed in 1949.
At the dedication Mass, Father Brophy announced plans to add a Calvary Hill featuring a huge crucifix.
Donations flowed from all over the world. The goal was to build the largest crucifix in the world. At 55-feet, it would be the largest at the time, although an abstract 60-foot steel and wire cross in Kentucky was built in 1986 by a welder.
In July 1952 Bishop Babcock gave the go-ahead to build a Calvary Hill in a beautiful forest setting. The wood for the cross came from a single Redwood tree in Oregon. Large sections of the Redwood were shipped to Indian River, where it was seasoned, sanded, and polished. A large, 15-foot-deep foundation of concrete and steel was prepared. The finished cross was fitted into an iron base buried deep into the foundation.
Three thousand people attended the dedication ceremony in 1954.
Bishop Babcock then gave a model of Christ to famed American sculptor Marshall Fredericks, asking him to create a bronze version for the cross. Frederick fashioned a plaster model that was shipped to Norway. Three years later, a completed 24-foot bronze model of Christ made its return trip home. It was shipped via the St Lawrence Seaway to Detroit and then by a huge flat-bed trailer to Indian River.
Hundreds watched as the Christ figure was attached to the Cross in 1959.
Since its dedication, more than 300,000 visitors have visited The Cross in the Woods for prayer and healing.
Later the Stations of the Cross were constructed. It’s a walking route symbolizing Jesus’ suffering on his way to Calvary. It is a prayerful walk.
In 1997, a new church seating 1,000 was opened.
Today the priest is Father Patrick Mahar. The Shrine is open 365 days a year. I encourage you to visit the Nun’s Robe’s Museum and the shop which sells religious gifts.
The National Catholic Shrine in the Woods holy site has been a great blessing for Cheboygan County and the nation. Thank the Lord for the priests and local leaders who kept working to make it real.