Glass Churches, Cathedrals, and Shrines
This is rather an unusual topic for a travel blog, but it is Sunday and I do love glass churches, so here we are. I love buildings of all faiths created with prayer and worship in mind - historical ones, creative modern ones, and especially those designed to take advantage of a beautiful outdoor setting. Well, maybe with the exception of the one my sister convinced me to go to in France up a steep hill in the middle of the country wearing heavy plastic ponchos in sticky, humid conditions and getting scared half to death because a GIANT scary bug landed on my shoulder and I screamed (loudly) and danced around frantically trying to get it off. Let’s just say I put on quite a show. 🙄 This was many years ago. I have still not lived that one down. 🙄🤪😂 Incidentally, that was LeCorbusier’s Ronchamp, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so I am glad I saw it, in retrospect. It took about 10 to 15 years for me to be grateful for it though. I can still envision how hot, sticky, hungry, thirsty, exhausted, broke-feeling (and crabby) I was that day plus the stupid scary bug about made me have a heart attack on the spot - no exaggeration. 🪲😳😬🤯😲(More info about that church here). But, anyway, I digress.
Last week my husband had Friday off so we decided to pay a short visit to the Holy Family Shrine just west of Omaha off of I-80, exit 432. Note: You will need to drive about a mile down a gravel road to get there.
I have been to the shrine several times but we had a rare occurrence of having the place all to ourselves until we were leaving. It was so peaceful, even though the leaves and flowers were starting to fade. I just love the location on top of a bluff overlooking the area around it. I was also pleased to see they had built a lovely stations of the cross pathway at the bottom of the hill nearest the shrine. There is a gravel walkway gently sloping down the hill to the stations of the cross. I will have to go back in the Spring and do that, as I greatly appreciate spiritual experiences in nature - formal or not. I’d like to go back this Winter when there is snow covering the ground, as I think that be inspiring and gorgeous as well.
The shrine consists of a small but beautiful in-ground visitor center housing restrooms, a few places to relax, and a few gift items. As you head out the back door, you see the glass cathedral in front of you with a narrow little stream trickling between the stone/cement walkway to the church. Obviously when it is cold, as it was that day, the stream is not running outside, but it continues inside the cathedral and I love to listen, pray, and reflect inside. Hearing the water trickling is very peaceful and soothing, whether inside or outside.There is also a beautiful garden with Mary amid flowers and plants and a covered bench or two on which to relax. While the flowers and plants are starting to prepare for the Winter now, it is gorgeous three seasons of the year.
The first thing that will strike you about the cathedral is the view, as it is almost all glass except for the ceiling and wall supports. There are benches on two sides with water trickling underneath them to an area towards the front. The front of the cathedral has an altar and pulpit area (Forgive me if I am using the wrong terminology. Send me a message or comment so I may correct it. I don’t wish to offend). It looks like they are repairing two front glass panels at the moment, but it does not detract.
The cathedral experience is nearly silent and peaceful, save for the trickling water and other folks possibly entering or leaving quietly. I have always been here with a family member and hope to go there solo so I can take however long I want. I find I enjoy this type of worship and reflection way more than most people.
If you would like to visit a quiet, serene, and spiritual place, I highly recommend the Holy Family Shrine and other places like it. I have included a video photo collage below. I’ve also included a link with an article on other glass places of worship if you are not from the Omaha area or are interested in exploring more.
Holy Family Shrine near Greta, Nebraska
Click on the [ ] button on the lower right side of the video to enlarge