BY THE CHRONICLE STAFF

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 pm, followed by a reception on site from 6:30-7:30 pm.

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.

The original Our Lady of Fatima Shrine at Russells Point was one of the tallest statues of the Virgin Mary in the United States. Dedicated in August 1964, the 43-foot-tall monument included a rotating 19’-6” fiberglass statue on a concrete pedestal with fountains, music and lighting.

The original 1964 shrine was destroyed when the tornado struck the Indian Lake region March 14, 2024, prior to a planned 60th anniversary celebration.

The owner has been working for over two years to design and construct a new shrine on the site.

“Our plans started the day after the tornado and a state-wide design competition in 2024 gave us lots of great ideas on what people wanted to see for the new shrine,” Quatman explained.

The new shrine will be the same height as the old one, set on a new stone base.

The American Society of Ephesus, Inc. (George B. Quatman Foundation) is a non-profit private foundation formed in 1955 and based in Lima, Ohio, whose mission is to promote a greater realization and appreciation of the teachings and wonders of God; to preserve and erect religious shrines; and to restore and preserve the burial grounds of outstanding religious leaders.

To find out more, visit www.ase1955.org.