A sign of hope, faith and rebuilding after the devastating EF3 tornado of March 2024 is taking shape at Indian Lake, as the new Our Lady of Fatima shrine is nearly completed.

Construction activity has been observed for months, but the site is closed for now and only visible from the lake. The shrine property, known as “St. Mary’s Point,” is located at 261 Chase Ave. in Russells Point.

Bill Quatman, president of the shrine’s Lima-based owner, The American Society of Ephesus, Inc. (“ASE”) provided a detailed update about the shrine, noting “The project is on schedule for an Aug. 14-15 dedication weekend, and the public is invited.”

A flurry of activity was planned for this week as well, with three bronze informational plaques delivered the morning of Wednesday, July 1, and a new granite bench to replace one destroyed by the tornado arrived Thursday, July 2.

In addition, three bronze statues of the “Fatima children” are set to be installed July 8.

The 20-foot tall fiberglass Mary statue will be set July 14, after it is blessed by the pastor from St. Mary of the Woods Church.

“We are finishing the concrete around the structure this week,” Quatman said, “and the landscaping and sod will start next week.”

Construction is by Touchstone CPM LLC of Lima and the statues were created by artist Mike Major of Urbana.

“Keep in mind that this is an active construction site, so we don’t want people coming until the dedication in August, when the grass has grown back and the site is open to the public,” Quatman noted.

“Especially for the Independence Day holiday this weekend, the entry gate will be locked and we ask people to please stay off of the property. Take pictures from the water, but please don’t try to enter the property just yet.”

The public dedication is planned for Friday, Aug. 14, at 5:30-6:30 pm, followed by the return of the annual Catholic mass at the shrine on Saturday, Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption. Those events begin at 4 p.m. with a music hour and a Rosary.

Then, mass is from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a reception on site from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Note, that there is no public parking at the shrine property at St. Mary’s Point, but the owner is providing free shuttles from the St. Mary of the Woods Church parking lot at 434 Madison Ave. to the shrine.