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Way of the Cross named to National Register of Historic Places

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The Way of the Cross in New Ulm, a 700 foot path with 14 stations depicting the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.

NEW ULM — The Way of the Cross shrine has been part of New Ulm’s history for 116 years but is now part of national history.

The Way of the Cross, located on the hillside behind New Ulm Medical Center Hospital, has officially joined Hermann Heights Monument,Turner Hall and the Wanda Gag House on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places is part of the National Historic Preservation Act. This official list of historic places helps coordinate and support efforts to identify and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The effort to get the Way of the Cross on the National Registry was started by Earl LaPlante, who started the Way of the Cross Committee.

“I thought it was necessary for the community,” LaPlante said. The number of annual visitors to the Way of the Cross is only a few thousand, but he said they come from all over the world. Its inclusion on the registry will likely increase the number of visitors.

It took the Way of the Cross Committee seven years to get the site on the registry. LaPlante said It required a great deal of research done by Dan Hoisington to gather all necessary information. A lot of individuals and area businesses had a hand in designing and paying for the construction of the site.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Each of the 14 stations contains statues imported from Bavaria depicting a scene from the Passion of Christ.

Construction on the Way of the Cross began in 1903 and was completed in 1904, with renovation projects taking place in 2004 and again in 2018. Its 14 stations, with statues imported from Bavaria depicting the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus, provide a quiet, reflective walk up a 700-foot brick path to a chapel dedicated to the Mother of Sorrows.

Entrusted to the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm, the historic shrine is located on the 5th North Hill, behind the New Ulm Medical Center. It rests nearby a memorial park to Fr. Alexander Berghold, an instrumental priest in the 1800s who initiated the Way of the Cross project along with Sr. Flavia of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

LaPlante said it was an unusual site and nothing like it was on the National Registry. There are not many free-standing stations of the cross displays in existence. Many are located inside a structure. In addition, this site is older than most with statues imported from Bavaria.

Although dedicated to meditation on the Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ, people of all faiths are welcome to stop at each station and read the German and English inscriptions.

LaPlante said he once saw a young couple in their 20s visit the site and enter the chapel only for the young woman to run out crying. Once she came out he learned they were tears of joy. Her boyfriend had proposed.

“I like to say it is great for everyone,” LaPlante said.

One of the benefits of joining the National Historic Registry is the site can obtain federal grant money for maintenance and repairs. The Way of the Cross does need upkeep to continue. Its location on the hillside makes it prone to erosion.

LaPlante said over the years the committee has been able to make most repairs through donations. Those wishing to contribute to maintenance can send donations to Diocese of New Ulm, Way of the Cross, 1421 6th Street North, New Ulm, MN 56073.

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