The Grotto, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. A major influenza epidemic spread across the United States in 1918 causing many deaths. Under the leadership of Father J.M.J. Wack (d.1927), who served Saints Peter and Paul Church for 38 years, members constructed this grotto to commemorate an end to the disease-related deaths in the parish. Modeled after the Lourdes Grotto in southwestern France, it was built of native rock gathered from area ranches. Aided by parishioners, J.J. Scholz of Nebraska completed the stonework. The congregation dedicated the shrine during a celebration on June 29, 1921. (1980)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When the catastrophic 1918 influenza pandemic swept the country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, the parish of Saints Peter and Paul in New Braunfels answered with faith. Led by Father J.M.J. Wack, parishioners built this stone grotto — modeled on the famous shrine at Lourdes, France — from rock gathered off area ranches, dedicating it in 1921 in thanksgiving that the deaths had ceased. A stonemason from Nebraska completed the work with the congregation's help.
Why it matters
The grotto is a rare and tangible memorial to the 1918 flu, the deadliest pandemic in American history, built by an immigrant German-Catholic community out of grief and gratitude.
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Related people
- · Father J.M.J. Wack
Related events
- · 1918 influenza pandemic
Themes & tags
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