Portage des Sioux in St. Charles County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Our Lady of the Rivers
Monument to a memory
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 22, 2019
1. Our Lady of the Rivers Marker
On the rear side of the statue
Back in 1951, raging flood waters threatened to destroy Portage des Sioux. The community pulled together and prayed to Mary, who was given the title, Our Lady of the Rivers. The flood waters receded and the community was saved. This shrine is dedicated to the memory of that event and serves as both a reminder of the tremendous power of nature and a tribute to its incredible beauty.
The fiberglass statue rises 25 feet high and is mounted on a 20-foot concrete pedestal. It was designed by Norma McClory and was dedicated on October 13, 1957.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Disasters. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.
Location. 38° 55.86′ N, 90° 20.319′ W. Marker is in Portage des Sioux, Missouri, in St. Charles County. Marker can be reached from River View Drive, 0.1 miles north of Le Sieur Street, in the median. When entering the town of Portage des Sioux, there are signs that point where to go to find it. There is free parking and the statue is just a short walk from the lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portage des Sioux MO 63373, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Francis of Assisi Church (within shouting distance of this marker); St Rose Philippine Duchesne (within shouting distance of this marker); 1815 Treaty
this page online
More about this marker. It is not known when this marker was placed, or the organization/group behind it.
Regarding Our Lady of the Rivers. Putting the story, as mentioned on the marker, in great detail: when flood waters threatened to ravage the town of Portage des Sioux in 1951, Father Edward B. Schlattmann, pastor of St. Francis Church, asked his parish, Legion of Mary, to pray to the Blessed Virgin for protection, calling her "our lady of the rivers" (because of the town being nearby the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers). The town was spared, and in appreciation, the parish decided to erect a statue. Donations had poured in from throughout the world, as news spread about the
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 22, 2019
2. Our Lady of the Rivers Marker
With a feedback sign below
In addition to this marker, there are three other plaques - each on all sides of the statue. One is a quote from Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, another is a map showing historical sites along the Illinois, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, and the other is about the volunteers/donors who have maintained the grounds.
Please keep in mind that this marker, while accessible 24/7 throughout the year, can be vulnerable to floods. There have been times where this marker, as well as the bottom parts of the statue, have been underwater because of high water.
via TripAdvisor, unknown
3. Our Lady of the Rivers
Shrine website homepage
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 22, 2019
4. Our Lady of the Rivers statue
The back part, with the marker in distance. Mississippi River, and bluffs in Illinois are seen in the background
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 651 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 23, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on February 20, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on September 23, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
