The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1933-09-27
ROCK CAUSEWAY|
is BUILT FOR
SHRINE ISLAND
Volunteer Crew Completes
Fine Adjunct Linking
Island to Mainland

A causeway, 400 feet long and 16
feet wide at the base, connecting
beautiful Shrine Island with the
mainland at the site of the shrine
to Saint Teresa has just been
completed, it was announced today
by Rev. William G. LaVasseur. s..
j., Chancellor of the Vicarite of
Alaska. The work was done by
volunteer labor from the local
Federal jail, under the supervision
of Guard w. Reed SEWERS.
The causeway gives the island
direct motor car connection with
Glacier Highway, as short stub
road was also built between the
Highway and the causeway which
is constructed of rock.
Voices His Appreciation
In voicing DIS appreciation to
United States Marshal Albert White
whose courtesy and cooperation
made the work possible, Father
LeVasseur, to whom credit for the
shrine project is largely due, said:
THE important work perform
ed in building the causeway will
also be appreciated by the public
spirited citizens of Juneau who
are interested in the development
of the shrine, as they recognize
its civic value, and realize that with
A nationally known shrine such as
the Shrine of Saint Teresa is des-
tined soon to be, Juneau attains
an, eminence and distinction shared
in by few American cities"
In speaking further of the
shrine to a representative of The
Empire, Father LeVasseur stated
that sit is a spiritual movement
to foster devotion to Saint Terese,
and that it also has a great civic
appeal and value Visitors to Eur
ope and Quebec know the great
interest that centers in shrines
and a city fortunate enough to have
a shrine has an attraction that
acts as a maget in drawing per-
sons from great distances"
First Shrine in ALASKA
AS this is the first shrine in
Alaska, and Juneau, the Capital
City, has been selected as its 10
cation, it is of interest and great
Importance to the city. Tourists
who have seen the site have been
delighted with the ideal location,
and persons who have travelled
extensively in the United States
and Europe have declared it Won
derfully we'll adapted for the pur-
pose intended.
Only three other shrines of ma
ton wide renown are in the Unit
ed States, the Sanctuary of Our
Sorrowed Mother, under direction
of the Servite Fathers in Portland,
Ore, the Shrine of American Mar
tyrs, Auriesville, N. Y, established
to commemorate the martyrdom
of the Jesuit priests murdered by
the Mohawk Indians in early Col
onial days, and the shrine of the
Immaculate Conception in Wash
ington, D. G.
Following a custom of increasing
popularity in the States, annual
retreats will be held there at diff
ferent times for priests and sis
tiers of the Vicarate of Alaska, and
also at separate dates for men
and women of the Territory.
Formal Dedication Next Spring
The official dedication will be
held in the early spring when the
building program is nearer compile
ton. Visitors to the grounds this
summer have been surprised at
the progress made. A year ago
the tract was covered with trees
and was in an undeveloped condi-
ton. Since then road has been
gravelled from the highway to
the grounds, beautiful little shrine
island has been made accessible
at both high and low tides by
the completion of the causeway,
and the retreat house partially
completed.
An abridged history of the Cath
Ollie Church in Alaska, published
in pamphlet form, with full ac-