CHESTERTON – St. Patrick Cemetery, located near St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chesterton, was established in 1853. In 1933, a grotto featuring the Blessed Mother holding the Infant Jesus was built, quickly becoming the central focus of the property. Just before 2010, the head of the Infant Jesus was vandalized. As the parish tried to determine the best way to repair the grotto, it remained in its damaged state – until this year.
In July of 2026 a total restoration was directed by Very Reverend Jon J. Plavcan and Berglund Construction. It was the first time the grotto underwent restoration work.
Father Plavcan explained that since his arrival at St. Patrick, he was looking for the right person for the project, especially when it came to the replacement of the young Jesus' head. One day he was in a meeting with local property investors. The pastor mentioned the status of the grotto and the work that needed to be done, and a conversation began.
“I was able to find the right company and then they had a vendor that was able to produce a replacement head for the infant of Jesus,” he said.
That company was Berglund Construction, a business with several office locations around the Midwest. Father Plavcan noted the grotto has welcomed people for 93 years at St. Patrick Cemetery and, “It was important to restore the grotto to the beauty that it was many years ago.”
Father Plavcan always had a desire to learn more about those who are laid to rest in cemeteries. He finds it interesting to conduct genealogy work and find out as much history as he can on family members and those buried there.
The history of the grotto at St. Patrick begins with William F. Ray who passed away at age 63. He was president for 25 years of the Ray Vogue Schools in Illinois and was a prominent fixture in the textile industry before coming to Chicago. He was born in Massachusetts. His wife, Ruth Wade Ray, was born in Colorado.
The couple lost their daughter Lydia at one year old. When she died, her father erected the grotto in her memory. As of 2026, the grotto is 93 years old.
“Soon everyone will be forgotten in this world and if I can preserve some history for years to come, then I have done my offering of a gift,” said Father Plavcan. “We know that ultimately, we are never forgotten by God.”
Parishioner Jeff Wozniak said he thought the grotto was beyond repair, with parts falling apart, and he was pleased with the project's results.
“These guys that did the construction did a phenomenal job,” he said. “I was very, very impressed and a lot of other people were too.”
Wozniak lives next door to the cemetery and is on the grounds about every day. He has served as the sexton, or official caretaker, for 10 years and has witnessed upgrades, including the addition of statues, a shelter and benches.
For Wozniak, maintaining the cemetery is personal. He has family buried within the graveyard and plans to be laid to rest there too. He is very proud of the cemetery and strives to keep it as clean as possible.
“I want to make it presentable for visitors,” he said. “We have people who come in from other states who want to see their loved ones or who are looking to do some research.”
Wozniak added the cemetery suffered some storm damage in August. The property lost some trees due to the weather, but with the help of local Boy Scouts and other groups, it has been restored..
“I think we got it looking pretty good,” he commented.
The parish is currently conducting its traditional fall cleanup of St. Patrick Cemetery. The process removes seasonal items and artificial flowers to allow for a final leaf blowing in preparation for winter holidays.. On Saturday, Nov. 14, new items can be placed at the graves.
