The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies

A shrine in the Catholic religion is a special place where people from all regions of the world may make a pilgrimage (spiritual journey) to connect with their faith. The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies is the latest such shrine to be constructed in Canada. On grassy meadows, with a backdrop of aspen and coniferous forests and resting at the base of Mt. Lady MacDonald, stands this magnificent religious architectural shrine. As the shrine comes into view in the Bow Valley, it invites and inspires a sense of awe and peace.
¶The shrine church was designed and constructed to last at least 250 years, and all materials and designs were carefully considered with such longevity in mind. The material for the exterior walls of this shrine is Rundle Rock, a local natural stone, from Kamenka Quarry. Rundle Rock has a long, enduring history throughout the Bow Valley. Many well-known Rundle Rock buildings are more than a century old. Each stands as a testament to the stone’s durability.
¶The Rundle Rock used as a full bed veneer on this shrine is 10–12 cm thick, in random shapes and sizes with a blend of earthy brown and charcoal black colours. Each stone was hand quarried, then shaped and installed on-site by local and European stonemasons. These masons were brought to the site to masterfully create the many unique stone features, such as keystones and soldiers embracing curved windows that adorn the shrine’s perimeter, allowing natural light to flow into the chapel.