Flags flying on this breezy afternoon, overlooking Keweenaw Bay with the good Bishop. We noticed the leaves are leaving, and brother Frederick has his snowshoes ready for another U.P. winter on Superior's shore.

There's a good information page about the shrine over at a Golden Pasty Award site, Exploring the North.

I keep the good Bishops prayer card tucked in my visor of my car. I have been to the shrine, and also St. Peters in Marquette. The more one learns about him, the more amazing he is.

Maybe it's just my imagination, but the Bishop struck me as looking just a little bit sad about this month.

Another beautiful place with a link to Bishop Baraga is the church at Rockland, which he founded over one hundred years ago. The stained glass windows are a true work of art on this sinple white church.

If there are any questions on the construction of the statue they can be addressed to alchaput@up.net was the model for the statue and also the welder for the Jack Anderson Studio at the time it was built.

I have a memory as a child, of going to Lake Linden, to the studio where the statue was being constructed, and seeing it...anyone else remember? I forgot the year.

Thanks for the pic of one of my favorite places! Their web site http://www.baragashrine.com/ has some links which may be of interest.

I can remember seeing it being constructed when I was younger also. I don't remember when it was- but I don't think we were living in the UP at the time. One of the landmarks to watch for and you know you are getting close to home!

Baraga's life story is impressive. His efforts have left a lasting imprint in the U.P. and the lower peninsula as well. "The Shepard of the Wilderness" written by Benard Lambert (a L'Anse native) will give you an excellent insight of his achievements.

My husband, Art Chaput, was the co-sculptor of the Bishop Baraga Statue - Jack Anderson designed the statue on paper. Art worked on the statue from the beginning in 1969, and was there when it was erected in 1972. The statue sustained fire damage when workers from Yalmer Mattila were setting the statue on it's base of clouds. My husband completely refinished the statue by stripping the laquer off, and re-laquering it which gave it a softer patina. Bernard Lambert always said that if it was not for my husband, the statue would not be standing there today. Sincerely, Claire Chaput

By Daryl Laitila on Tuesday, October 16, 2001 - 03:36 pm:

Hope you don't mind another view or two.

One word says it all and that is WOW I have never seen that statue before very impressive!

We need to give credit where credit is due. My father Art Chaput is the co-sculptor of the Bishop Baraga statue and we are very proud of him!

Your loving daughter, Judy

My parents purchased a very interesting wall hanging from that studio in Lake Linden back when the statue was being made. As I remember it the hanging was originally to be made of copper but was actually made out of scraps from the statue. It still hangs in their foyer.

What I want to know is how did the fire start? Was there an earthly reason or did it spontaniously combust as if by the wrath of God?
If anyone knows please send me an e-mail. thanks

Chuck,

Are you referring to the flash fire in 1972?