SALEM, Ohio — An up-and-coming destination is attracting groups of travelers from across the nation to the small town of St. John, Indiana. Located less than an hour’s drive from Chicago and just off Interstate 90, the Shrine of Christ’s Passion welcomes nearly 200,000 visitors a year and charges no admission fee.
“Shrine of Christ’s Passion is like walking the actual hills of Jerusalem, with over 40 life-size bronze figures depicting Christ’s journey,” said shrine manager Paul Anderson.
The shrine includes a walking path called the Way of the Cross, and each station is designed to be self-guided, with a personalized audio presentation.
“I had the pleasure of taking a tour of the Shrine of Christ’s Passion with the visionary developer of the attraction, Frank Schilling,” said Charlie Presley of The Group Travel Family. “It was the most moving experience of my tourism career.”
Schilling is a developer in the Chicagoland area who has made the development of the Shrine of Christ’s Passion a lifelong mission, and he intends to keep admission free to everyone. His emphasis on “everyone” is intentional. Schilling’s vision, although inspired by his faith, is not connected to any denomination or even limited to people of faith.
In many ways, the Shrine of Christ’s Passion seems to have been created through divine intervention. Schilling decided that the story should be told in life-size figures to deliver a visual impact and last 1,000 years, but could not locate an artist to create the sculptures. On a road trip to New Mexico with his wife, Shirley, he passed a 200-foot roadside cross and was impressed with its artistic construction. Schilling contacted the artist, Mickey Wells of Amarillo, Texas, and that chance meeting has resulted in 40 bronze figures that depict the last days of Christ’s life.
Groups will know they have arrived at the Shrine of Christ’s Passion when they are welcomed by a 33-foot stainless-steel statue of Mary. The sculpture is called “Our Lady of the Millennium,” and has been blessed by the pope.
“This is a must-see destination for your group,” Presley said. “It is a wonderful sightseeing attraction, great rest stop, and the price can’t be beat.”
