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Black Madonna of Czestochowa
Shrine & Grottos
DESCRIPTION: The Black Madonna Shrine is a Franciscan Shrine dedicated to Poland's Black Madonna, Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Peace and Mercy. The grottos, made of Missouri tiff rock, were hand-constructed over a 22-year period by Brother Bronislaus Luszcz.
ADDRESS: St. Joseph Road, Eureka, MO 63025
LOCATION: Approximately 35 miles southwest of downtown St. Louis.
PHONE: 636-938-5361
WEB SITE: www.blackmadonnashrine.org
GETTING THERE: Take I-44 west to the Eureka exit. Turn south on Highway W and continue to Highway FF. Turn right onto Highway FF and follow it to Highway F. Make a left onto Highway F and follow it to St. Joseph Road. Continue on St. Joseph Road until you come to the shrine entrance which is on the left. The shrine is approximately eight miles from I-44.
HOURS: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., April-October; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., November-March
ADMISSION: Free
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Grottos dedicated to the Stations of the Cross, the Seven Joys of Mary, St. Francis, St. Joseph, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Sorrows, the Assumption, the Nativity and the Garden of Gethsemane.
- The grottos are constructed of Missouri tiff rock. The rocks, sea shells and costume jewelry imbedded in the walls were donated by visitors or sent from foreign missions.
- The outdoor Chapel of the Hills contains mosaics by artist Frederick Henze and paintings of the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
- Mass is celebrated at 10 a.m. Sundays and holidays in the Sacred Heart Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. The entrance to the chapel is accessible from the rear parking lot of St. Joseph Hill Infirmary. There are no public services on weekdays.
HISTORY: In 1927, Cardinal John J. Glennon, archbishop of St. Louis, invited a group of Franciscan Brothers to emigrate from Poland to establish a nursing home for men. Brother Bronislaus Luszcz, was one of those who did. As a young man, he had watched pilgrims as they made journey to the shrine of Mary in Czestochowa and the so-called black Madonna painting. Over several hundred years, the painting of Mary which was done by St. Luke was moved to Constantinople, Kiev and finally to Poland. The painting got the nickname of Black Madonna. From the dark olive features of Mary and Jesus which were further darkened by a fire which destroyed the chapel where the painting hung in Constantinople. Brother Luszcz retained the memory of the love and devotion the pilgrims had for Mary. In 1937, he began a lifetime labor of love building the grottos and a wood chapel with a painting of the Madonna above the altar. The chapel was destroyed by fire in 1958 but it was rebuilt in 1965.
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY: Partial. Ramps allow wheelchairs to enter the valley where visitors can see the grottos. However, some of the grottos have stairs while others allow visitors a closer look.
GIFT SHOP: A gift shop carries a selection of items related to the shrine.
WHERE TO GET LUNCH: The shrine will cater all-you-can-eat roast beef dinners for groups of 30 or more but there is no restaurant or snack bar on the grounds. There are several restaurants in nearby Eureka, Missouri.
WHAT'S NEARBY: Also on the 500-acre Franciscan Mission site is Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, Brother Matthew's Art Studio, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and small grottos dedicated to St. Francis and Christ Crucified. The Six Flags St. Louis theme park is nearby in Eureka as is Route 66 State Park. Several miles east on I-44 is Laumeier Sculpture Park and Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Sr. Mary Francis, 636-938-5361
Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com
