Way of the Cross - Village of St. Donatus Historic District - St. Donatus, Iowa - NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings on Waymarking.com

The Way of the Cross, constructed in 1861 under the direction of Father Flammang and believed to be one of the first developed in the United States, symbolizes Christ's journey to his crucifixion. The fourteen stations, each 5' X 5' in size with open, arched entrances and gabled roofs, are situated at intervals of approximately 250 feet adjacent to a dirt foot path that gradually winds its way to the top of the bluff and the Pieta Chapel. The parish chronicle notes that the brick alcoves were designed in "typical Luxembourg" fashion.

Another of Flammang's projects was the construction on Calvary Mound of the Way of the Cross (Site 38). Blessed on August 15, 1862, the fourteen brick alcoves bear inscriptions in French, Spanish and English, Built in "traditional Luxembourg fashion' the brick structures are located adjacent to a meandering path that winds up to the top of the bluff. Sheep are allowed to graze the hillside, keeping maintenance costs to a minimum. The stations were repaired by the parishioners in 1925.