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From the 50th Anniversary (1924–1974) pictorial book of The Grotto:
The First Step
About ten miles east of his parish area, Father Mayer found his dream locale. To the undiscerning eye it didn’t look like much. “A mess,” he reported, “of almost impenetrable undergrowth, fallen rocks, thickets and debris.”
But Father Mayer saw beyond its cluttered primitive condition. He saw the statuesque firs and cedars, the maples, dogwoods, oaks and blooming hawthorns, and the emerald carpet of native fern. In the background was a sweep of perpendicular stone reaching some 150 feet into the sky. Shrubs and vines grew in the fissures of the rock and moss spread like velvet across the bare spots in the rocky wall.
From atop the cliff, Father Mayer marveled at the view of superb dimension. An expansive panorama of two states, the wide Columbia Valley, transversed by her mighty river and the snow capped peaks of Mt. St. Helens cut distinctively into the blue Washington horizon.
Here was a natural cathedral. All it needed was a thorough clean-up job.
With Archbishop Christie’s enthusiastic approval, authorization for the construction of the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother was obtained. The 50 acres of land at the eastern edge of Portland was purchased for the price of $48,000.
On May 29, 1924, the first Mass was offered at the spot where the Grotto, envisioned by Father Mayer, was to be.
Below: The cliff one hundred years later.
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