Knights of Columbus work to preserve Geneva Grotto, relic from former seminary

GENEVA – A walking trail behind the Kane County Government Center in Geneva contains a hidden gem: a shrine that dates back to the 1930s when the property belonged to the Sacred Heart Seminary.

A German priest is thought to have built the grotto, using local rocks and colored glass, said Batavia resident Bob McQuillan.

The last time a group cleaned up graffiti, raked leaves and replanted flowers there was in 2016 as part of an Eagle Scout project, McQuillan said.

But in the past month, the Knights of Columbus Council 2191 – which includes St. Peter in Geneva and Holy Cross in Batavia – and a group of Geneva High School student volunteers have cleaned the structure of spray paint and dirt, raked leaves and debris, and planted begonias and orange canna lilies, McQuillan said.

“There’s no written record except all the stones and rocks he made the grotto out of were from the local area,” McQuillan said. “At times, we find holy cards and other memorabilia, people put their friends’ names and flowers there and prayer candles on the altar.”

In addition to the memorabilia, some people – teens most likely – spray paint RIP on it. McQuillan said they use a product called Smart Strip from Sherman Williams to remove the graffiti without damaging the grotto.

In August, the Knights of Columbus reached a three-year maintenance agreement with the Kane County Forest Preserve, which owns the land where the grotto is located, to allow them to clean and maintain the structure, McQuillan said.

The Knights of Columbus also installed a motion detection camera that has recorded 150 people who stopped by – and 18 months ago, it recorded an act of vandalism.

“We turned it (the recording) over to Batavia High School and the principal recognized kids from Batavia and talked to them,” McQuillan said.

Known locally as the Geneva Grotto, the structure spreads out about 40 feet wide and 20 feet high, a central recess with an altar flanked on each side with Christian religious images, though McQuillan said any denomination is welcome.

To the left, rays of fire descend from the sky to an image of the earth. The Latin phrase carved underneath, “Igenum Veni Mittere,” which translates to the words of Jesus, “I have come to bring fire,” in Luke’s gospel.

The right side features a lighthouse with beaming rays. The Latin phrase, “Ego Sum Lux Mittere,” is carved underneath, which translates to the words of Jesus, “I am the light of the world,” from John’s gospel.

The tops of the side pillars of the grotto show the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet – the alpha and omega – also attributed in Christian theology to Christ being the beginning and the end, from the Book of Revelation.

McQuillan said the grotto is important to maintain because of its local historical significance.

“Most people don’t know it was ever a seminary. It’s a leftover relic from the property’s past life as the Sacred Heart Seminary. Priests were trained there from the mid 1920s until 1971,” McQuillan said. “Most people happen upon it on the walking trail behind veterans memorial. It’s a very cool place. It’s along a little creek there and you can just sit there and relax.”

The structure itself also needs restoring, as some of the mosaic stones and glass pieces have fallen out. McQuillan said they are working with a local artist on that aspect.

“We hope to restore it to the point where people might renew their wedding vows there – some already did that – or have prayer services,” he said. “It’s open to any denomination.”

The Knights of Columbus Council 2191 have a website, kc2191.org, where donations in support of the grotto maintenance can be made, McQuillan said.

Supporters are also invited to join the Geneva Grotto Facebook page for updates on their progress or to see when other volunteers might want to join in the the work of cleaning and maintaining it.