Staff photo by Fritz Busch Ed Stadick, left, and Tony Miller of New Ulm install a restored statuette at the Way of the Cross shrine in New Ulm Monday.

NEW ULM — Aided by donations and volunteer help, the Way of the Cross got a major facelift Monday as restored statuettes that line a 280-yard paverstone route on a shaded hillside behind New Ulm Medical Center were returned to the 14 stations that house them.

The stations, located at 1500 5th St. North, can provide a quiet, reflective walk up a gentle hill to a chapel.

Built in 1904, the shrine is owned by the Diocese of New Ulm and maintained by the Knights of Columbus. The sculptures depicting the crucifixion of Jesus were removed Aug. 23.

The statuettes were transported to St. Louis where a company called Restorations Plus LLC removed all existing paint and repainted them to match the original color as close as possible.

Aided by New Ulm contractors Glaser Painting & Decorating, LLC and Wood-N-Windows, LLC, the project was estimated to cost $34,866. Funding will be covered by donations and/or grants.

The inside and outside of each station niche was repaired, cleaned and the inside repainted, matching the existing inside niche color. Outside cement pillars and roofs had paint residue removed to recreate the original look.

All arch top windows were replaced due to weathering and wood decay. New windows replicate the original ones and provide improved weather and insect protection to the interior niche and statuettes.

“We think this is a good community project. It makes us all feel really good to do this,” said Knights of Columbus Council 1076 Grand Knight Gary Neubauer of New Ulm.

Maintenance needs continue at the shrine.

“The rain falls and weeds continue to grow here,” said Way of the Cross Committee President Earl LaPlante.

Project contributions can be sent to the Diocese of New Ulm, Way of the Cross, 1421 6th St. N., New Ulm, MN 56073.