The official Bishop Baraga Shrine

Welcome to the Shrine of the Snowshoe Priest

High above the Red Rocks Bluff near L’Anse, Michigan, stands a monument to one of the Great Lakes' most remarkable figures. Rising six stories over the breathtaking Keweenaw Bay, the Shrine of the Snowshoe Priest commemorates Bishop Frederic Baraga—a man who dedicated 35 years of his life to the spiritual and cultural needs of the Ottawa and Chippewa nations.

View of Shrine on cliff from lake

Explore the Shrine

Bishop Baraga painted portrait

Bishop Baraga

From his wealthy beginnings in Slovenia to his life as a missionary in North America, learn how Frederic Baraga mastered native languages and traveled over 700 miles in a single winter to serve his people.

Lake Superior scenic shrine and gift shop with statue in background in summer.

Visit the Grounds

Plan your visit to our historic, non-denominational shrine. Discover the story of the statue's 1972 dedication, explore our Memorial Grotto, and take in the views of Lake Superior.

Shrine grounds in fall with Lake Superior in background

Preserving the Legacy

The Bishop Baraga Foundation is the sole caretaker of this historic landmark. Learn how we maintain these grounds through the generosity of our donors and how you can help preserve this site for future generations.

Bishop Baraga Shrine memorial grotto with flowers in the garden. Historic shrines in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Honor a Loved One

Help support the shrine while creating a lasting tribute. Our Memorial Grotto offers opportunities to place nameplates and plaques in honor of family and friends.

"But all these hardships the missionary joyfully endures if thereby he can, through God's help and grace, save even but one soul."

Frederic Baraga, 1846