Crystal Shrine Grotto

Useful Information

Location:	Memphis. I-240 Poplar Ave. exit west. Memorial Park Cemetery.
Open:	All year daily 10-16. During open hours of the cemetery. [2007]
Fee:	free [2007]
Classification:	Grotto
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Crystal Shrine Grotto, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, Tel: +1-901-767-8930.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1924	Memorial Park Cemetery founded by E. Clovis Hinds.
1935	artist Dionicio Rodriguez starts to construct the grotto.
1938	grotto finished.

Description

Crystal Shrine Grotto is located at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee. This artificial grotto contains artwork which depicts Biblical scenes, especially Christ’s Journey on the Earth from Birth to Resurrection. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for Tennessee.

The grotto was built of limestone, speleothems, quartz, and semiprecious stones. However, basically it was built of concrete, reinforced with steel and copper bars. The artist was Dionicio Rodriguez (*1893-✝1955). He specialized in creating cement sculptures simulating natural wood and stone.