May 16, 2001

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held May 30 for a $2.66 million visitors center for the proposed Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe on the southeast edge of La Crosse.
Bishop Raymond L. Burke of the Diocese of La Crosse will preside at the 11 a.m. ceremony on the Pilgrim Center site on Justin Road, off Hwy. 14-61 in Mormon Coulee.

The Pilgrim Center and a small chapel, the Our Lady of Good Counsel Votive Chapel, are the first phase of the $25 million shrine project, which is slated for completion in summer 2004.

The visitors center, chapel and parking area are expected to be completed by late fall of 2002 and will be opened to the public at that time, said Christine Engstrom, assistant administrator of the project.

Phase 2 of the project is expected to begin in 2002-2003 and will include a Shrine Church on the top of the bluff, plus a center to train catechism teachers, a rectory, convent, seating area for outdoor Masses, a Rosary Walk and Stations of the Cross.

Besides the $25 million for construction, another $5 million is being raised to set up an endowment for operations and maintenance. The 80-acre blufftop site between Justin Road and Hwy. MM was donated by Lucille Swing and her family.

About $19 million has been pledged or donated for the shrine since Burke announced the project in December 1999.

Guests for the groundbreaking will be transported by bus to and from the site from the Holy Cross Diocesan Center parking lot, 3710 East Ave. S. A reception will be held in the diocesan center after the groundbreaking.