ENDEAVOR, Wis. — A village of less than 500 people in central Wisconsin has a unique, often untold history that is now better preserved with the restoration of a Catholic shrine.

What You Need To Know

In the 1950s and 60s, migrant workers from Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean and Texas came to work the farm fields in Endeavor

The shrine included a space to hold mass, teach English and lead summer school

For many years, Father Dale Grubba dreamed of restoring the shrine. That dream came true when he took ownership of the property in 2016

With the help of private donors and volunteers, he’s been able to restore the mosaic, build two other shrines and plant gardens on the property

In the 1950s and 60s, migrant workers from Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean and Texas came to work the farm fields in Endeavor.

Sister Joeann Daley is a Dominican sister of Sinsinawa, formerly known as Sister Gratiana. She remembers first creating the mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and the Americas, like it was yesterday.

“It was hard work, but it was something that seemed to be important for that time,” Daley said.

It was 1964. Sister Daley still has an old photo of her on scaffolding in her nun’s habit as she was creating the mosaic.

Daley and another nun, Sister Lucan, worked every day for a month to get it done.

“I feel so pleased and honored to have a little hand in something that is important in people’s lives to remember that we are part of a community,” she said.

The shrine was built for the migrants who came to help on the farms in the community and found themselves in very different surroundings in Wisconsin.

The shrine included a space to hold mass, teach English, and lead summer school.

“This place has a story to it,” said Father Dale Grubba, a retired priest who now owns the property. “It’s got the Spanish-speaking people that were here to begin with.”

Grubba grew up in the area and remembers driving the bus that would take migrant children to school.

For many years, he dreamed of restoring the shrine. That dream came true when he took ownership of the property in 2016.

“God wants it done, and the Blessed Mother wants it done,” Grubba said. “I’m convinced of that, that I’m just along for the ride on this one.”

With the help of private donors and volunteers, he’s been able to restore the mosaic, build two other shrines and plant gardens on the property.

Grubba said he wants it to be a spiritual destination that honors the generations who came before.

Daley said she’s in awe of the improvements and hopes it can be a place to find comfort and prayer for years to come.

“It’s so peaceful and beautiful, and our world needs both beauty and peace,” she said.