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A fence of concrete and glass shaped like a series of harps encloses a prayer garden.
Paul and Matilda Wenger create a monument to peace along Wisconsin Highway 71. A pulpit stands on top of the monument.
A gold star represents fallen service members from World War I. Paul and Matilda Wenger built their grotto between 1929 and 1936.
A glass church is covered in shards of broken glass and crockery.
A carnival glass bowl inset into an outside wall of a glass church is surrounded by carefully placed glass fragments.
Paul and Matilda Wenger's Glass Church welcomes all religions. Major religions are named on the outside of the structure near depictions of buildings common to each sect. Over the entrance under a Star of David an inscription reads, 'One God One Brotherhood.' Scores of weddings have taken place at the church during the decades.
Jakob's Well glistens in sunlight filtered through mature trees. Twelve steps representing the Apostles are between the Glass Church and Jakob's Well.
The Crown of Righteousness merits the reflection of visitors. The artists had no formal training but the placement and formation of each of the dozens of creations demonstrate great artistic talent.
A concrete box is covered with glass shards and shells.
A star is depicted in a mosaic of glass shards, glassware and shells.
Thousands of glass fragments top a fence around the grotto. The grotto abounds with reflections of glass and life.
A concrete stag with marble eyes greets visitors.
The steamship Bremen was inspired by a postcard; Paul and Matilda Wenger created it in two weeks. An inscription on the deck reads, 'Take Christ in your boat through life.' The Wengers came from Germany in 1885 to farm in Wisconsin.
The U.S. flag is composed of glass shards and concrete. Paul and Matilda Wenger built the grotto partly to express their love of the freedom afforded to them in the United States.
An inscription on the Peace Monument is surrounded by glass shards glistening in the sun. It leaves little doubt about the meaning of the monument.
A depiction of an anniversary cake is made of concrete and glass shards. It reflects 50 years of commitment and a life made together on the land, recorded in art.
A blue star tips on the grotto lawn. It's as if it has fallen from the heavens.
A concrete fence covered with thousands of shards of glass and pieces of stone lines the grotto.
Detailed stone, glass and broken-crockery insets make each fence post into a similar but unique work of art.
Glass shards glisten in the sunlight. Paul and Matilda Wenger built their grotto to touch the soul of each visitor. They used tons of cement and shards to create a masterpiece.
A concrete box has a mosaic of a house depicted on it in glass shards. Much of the art created by the Wengers contains meaning revealed through reflection at the grotto site.
Jason Maloney and Red
SPARTA, Wis. – Life on the land prepares some for what comes next. There’s time to reflect on the mystery of life. There’s time to become ready for transformation.
Jason Maloney is an “elderly” farm boy from Marinette County, Wisconsin. He’s a retired educator, a retired soldier and a lifelong Wisconsin resident. He lives on the shore of Lake Superior with his wife, Cindy Dillenschneider, and Red, a sturdy loyal Australian Shepherd.
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Paul and Matilda Wenger's Glass Church welcomes all religions. Major religions are named on the outside of the structure near depictions of buildings common to each sect. Over the entrance under a Star of David an inscription reads, 'One God One Brotherhood.' Scores of weddings have taken place at the church during the decades.
The steamship Bremen was inspired by a postcard; Paul and Matilda Wenger created it in two weeks. An inscription on the deck reads, 'Take Christ in your boat through life.' The Wengers came from Germany in 1885 to farm in Wisconsin.
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