When the May 8 straight line winds took down enormous cedars, among trees at the Schnurbusch Karst Window (also known as the grotto shrine at St. Joseph’s Church in Apple Creek, Perry County), parishoners were dismayed at the destruction left on the grounds. Rather than pay someone to haul off the mess, or have a huge bonfire, Russell Schumer, one of the volunteers cleaning the grounds, contacted Hank Blechle Jr.,  and Rodney Garris of G and B Sawmilling to see if they were interested in salvaging any lumber.

Garris crafted six benches from part of the wood to be installed back on the shrine grounds, including plaques dedicating them to the memory of Blechle’s father, who was a member of St. Joseph’s.

The shrine and grotto is open to the public during daylight hours when services are not being held.  The collapsed roof sinkhole behind the church is unusual because water emerges from one cave, traverses three to four hundred feet past a worship area, and then goes back underground. Only minor  surface  alterations have been made to this rare natural curiosity.