National Shrine of St. Thérèse, Juneau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Shrine of St. Thérèse |
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| Location | 21425 Glacier Hwy Juneau, Alaska 99801 |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | National Shrine |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Founder(s) | Bishop Crimont, S.J. Father LeVasseur, S.J. |
| Consecrated | 1941 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St. Paul the Apostle |
| Archdiocese | Anchorage-Juneau |
The National Shrine of St. Thérèse is a special place overlooking the Lynn Canal in Juneau, Alaska, United States. It sits on a large property of 46 acres. This peaceful site includes a stone chapel, a crypt, a labyrinth (a maze-like path), a columbarium (a place for ashes), a lodge, a cabin, and a retreat center. It's a place where people can go to pray, reflect, and find peace.
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History of the Shrine
The story of the National Shrine of St. Thérèse began in the 1920s. In 1925, St. Thérèse of Lisieux became the special patron saint of Alaska. This meant she was chosen to protect and guide the region.
Building the Shrine
In the 1930s, a Jesuit priest named Father William LeVasseur had an idea. He wanted to create a quiet retreat center named after St. Thérèse. Bishop Joseph Raphael John Crimont supported this idea. He helped by buying federal land for the shrine.
Many volunteers worked hard to build the chapel and other buildings. They gathered thousands of stones to construct these structures. The very first church service, called a Mass, was held here in 1941. Bishop Crimont, who helped start the shrine, passed away in 1945. He was buried in the shrine's crypt, a special underground burial place.
Keeping the Shrine Alive
Over the years, the shrine faced some challenges. In 1953, Bishop Robert Dermot O'Flanagan started a group called "The League of the Little Flower." This group aimed to help the shrine become financially stable.
However, in the 1960s, the shrine began to fall apart and stopped offering retreats. Luckily, Father James Manske led a big renovation project from 1968 to 1969. This helped fix up the shrine.
In 1985, the shrine had to close its doors because of money problems. But the next year, 25 local people came together to save it! Thanks to their efforts, the shrine reopened in 1986.
New Additions and National Status
After reopening, the shrine continued to grow. In 1998, a columbarium was built. This is a place where the ashes of people who have been cremated can be kept. It is open to all Christians.
In 2000, a new cabin was built to celebrate the Great Jubilee, a special holy year. The next year, in 2001, the Merciful Love Labyrinth was created. This labyrinth is a walking path designed for prayer and meditation.
A very important event happened on October 1, 2016. Bishop Edward J. Burns announced that the Shrine of St. Thérèse had been given a new, higher status. It was officially recognized as a national shrine. This means it's a very important place for people of faith across the country.
