From concept to completion
The timeline:
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• Begin initial construction of the upper driveway area (Federal St. side)
• Scrape & Remove blacktop driveway
• Inspection of sewer areas to determine any extensive undertakings or costly challenges
• Lay Base materials
• Button up for Winter
• Bid requested for Phase 1 by close of September 2024
• Note: Bids will be requested from all contractors (electrical, security, sewer work—if needed, etc.). We expect the other contractors outside of excavation to have limited work during this phase
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• Paver Sales and Inscriptions
• Focused Fundraising
• Order Statues Benches, Fencing, Front Gate, Railings etc...
• Change out construction products for back Grotto area for cost savings on less expensive fencing and retaining wall, dry stack wall in Grotto
• No physical construction work needed at this time
• Any required winter meetings needed from contractors may be billed for time invested.
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• Complete Construction of Front Courtyard
• Installation of Front Gate & Security
• Installation of Pavers, Benches, Florals and Bedding, Shrubbery, St. Peter Statue in Courtyard
• Installation of all Electrical & Security for Front Courtyard
• Bid requested for Phase III by early 2025 based on requested work needed
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• Construct Back Grotto
• Granite Steps to Back Parking Lot
• Install “La Pieta” Statue, Stone Benches, Pavers, Fencing, Granite Steps, Florals and Bedding, and Shrubbery
• Signage
• Bid requested for Phase IV by early 2025 based on requested work needed
The Committee
A group of St. Peter’s Parishioners identified a need and took action
One parishioner had “a little tiny idea about using the final green space behind the church to bring back the old Italian grotto that we once had.” His vision began with his own grandfather who came from Italy to become one of the original stone masons involved in building the church.
When he shared his vision with other parishioners a spark of enthusiasm ignited that culminated in the creation of the Grotto Committee. During the last year, the Committee spearheaded fundraising initiatives, secured the necessary permissions and permits, and obtained quotes for the many aspects of the project design and build.
“. . . . I’d like to thank the members of the Committee for their leadership and their vision. I think they have a wonderful project and I’m very grateful for their initiative to continue beautifying this beautiful church.”
After many months of hard work, the Committee was finally able to break ground on August 10, 2024 during the annual St. Peter’s Bazaar celebration.
The Original Idea
The idea for this grotto came from the history of our very own St. Peter’s Parish
Portland Press Herald; July 30, 1930
Monsignor Teresio DiMingo in front of the "Grotto" which was a special outdoor place for the adoration of the Blessed Mother Mary. This was a unique feature of St. Peter's that was constructed at the direction of Monsignor DiMingo. This outdoor "Shrine" was constructed by two parishioners who donated their bricklaying and stonework skill. The "Grotto" was in the walkway between the original rectory and the original "Little" church and just before the entrance to the older church hall. The "Grotto" was later removed to make way for the new rectory that was constructed in 1963.
The Original Shrine
Portland Press Herald; July 30, 1930
The outdoor shrine, the only one of its kind in the state of Maine at the time, to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and called the "Shrine of our Lady Help". It was constructed by two parishioners who donated their time and talent along with the help of the congregation who collected the stones bit by bit from numerous walks along southern Maine beaches from Portland to Scarborough.
“. . . . The church always wants to extend beyond the walls. This Grotto is a wonderful opportunity to do that and to give our community a place to come and pray.”
The New Grotto and Shrine
The Grotto design will include a roaming courtyard where the driveway is right now. It will be built with memorial pavers and lined with memorial stone benches from the Committee fundraising efforts.
Behind the church, down the stairs to the left between the garage and the back of the sacristine there’s an area that has been left in disrepair for many years. This will be the location of the new sunken Grotto. The main statue at the back will be La Pieta. La Pietà translates to "The Pity" in English. It is a famous sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti that depicts the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus Christ on her lap after his crucifixion.
A statue of St. Peter will also be placed in the Grotto, and there is also a plan to include an outdoor display of the stations of the cross.
The entire area will be gated and well-lit in order to provide a safe area to meditate and pray.
Many local contractors will be working on this project and we thank them for their participation.
St. Peters Grotto Site Plan Flipbook
Site plans courtesy of Aceto Landcsape Architects, Portland ME
“This has been a ton of work for a lot of different people—a lot of behind-the-scenes work.
. . . . We had a couple of major hills we had to get over and we’ve done that and we’re ready for the next phase.”