Our Lady Queen of Peace Shrine

She’s officially Our Lady Queen of Peace, but unofficially Our Lady of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, since she stands in clear sight of thousands of travelers who cross the bridge from New Jersey into Delaware every day.

Mary’s long journey to Delaware began in 1982, when local artist Charles C. Parks sculpted a giant steel Mary for Santa Clara, California. For a time, she stood outdoors in Delaware, and some Delaware Catholics really liked her. Their desire was rekindled in 1999, when Parks created a second giant Mary — this one for Chicago (which is now in Indiana)– and again stood her outdoors. Frustrated Delawareans could only look on in envy.

Spurred to act, the Catholics of Delaware spent over seven years raising funds for their own giant steel Mary. According to the campaign’s organizers, supporters contributed $500,000 and prayed more than 800,000 rosaries. One wealthy donor successfully got Mary to have the face of Our Lady of Medjugorje, a Mary who made multiple appearances in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The 34-foot-tall stainless-steel Mary was officially dedicated on May 26, 2007. Her Immaculate Heart, surrounded by a crown of thorns, is hollow, and those who contribute $100 to her maintenance fund can have their names placed inside it through a hatch in the back.