Gift Store and Elevators to Churches
The Gift Store offers you the opportunity to obtain some remembrances of your visit, and contains a large assortment of religious articles, greeting cards and books.The proceeds of these sales help to maintain the grounds and Basilica. The elevators were installed in 1962 to enable all visitors to visit the shrine atop the Hill.
The Mercy Chapel
The Mercy Chapel was opened in 2021. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is provided in the confessionals of the Chapel during scheduled times.
The Chapel of St. Therese
The Chapel of St. Therese seats 400 people. this Chapel, located one level below the Main Church, is dedicated to St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. It is used for liturgies for special groups, and during the winter for daily and Spanish Masses.
Basilica
The Basilica has a capacity of 600 people. The floors are terrazzo, the pews are hand-carved oak, and the metal work is hand wrought iron and bronze. The Stained Glass Windows were made by the Van Treeck studios of Munich, Germany, depicting the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Platform in Front of the Basilica stands about 1 ,361 feet above sea level.
The Shrine Chapel
The Shrine Chapel houses a rare statue of Mary. The youthful Virgin Mother offers her Son, Jesus Christ, to those who kneel before her. The statue was made by the Pustet Co. of Munich, and exhibited at the 1876 World's Fair in Philadelphia.
Scenic Tower
The scenic tower is open in good weather seasonally, from May 1 - October 31. Visitors who are hearty enough to climb its 178 steps enjoy a magnificent view of the countryside. The Bell Tower, a twin to the scenic tower, contains two bells which can be seen atop this tower.
Outdoor Stations of the Cross
The Outdoor Way of the Cross ends with its fourteenth station just outside the lower church. These almost life-size figures sculptured from Bedford stone took Joseph Aszklar of Milwaukee fourteen years to complete. He finished the task in 1928.
First Station and Picnic Area
The Way of the Cross begins here and winds a half mile up the hill, ending at the fourteenth station. (Restrooms are located at the Picnic Area.)
Monastery
The Monastery of the Discalced Carmelite Friars adjoins the northwest side of the church. Over its entrance is affixed a large stone shield of the Discalced Carmelite Friars. Inside, one floor up, is the MONASTERY OFFICE.
The Lourdes Grotto
The Lourdes Grotto reproduces the scene of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France in 1858. Holy Water is available at this grotto during warmer months and at the Holy Hill Gift Store, in limited quantities, during winter months.
The Sacred Heart Statue
The Sacred Heart statue shows Christ reaching out to embrace the whole world. It stands on the site of the original farmhouse monastery.
The Shrine Replica Statue
This white Carrara Marble statue is inserted in the Lannon stone retaining wall. It was placed there in 1965 at the conclusion of the elevator expansion project. It offers visitors the opportunity to pause at the conclusion of their visit and reflect upon their time spent at Holy Hill.
