Tower Township in Buffalo in Cass County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

St. Thomas Church, Grotto and Crucifix Shrine

— Buffalo Historical Tour —

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

1. St. Thomas Church, Grotto and Crucifix Shrine Marker

Inscription. This church was built in 1900 by the Hancock Brothers of Fargo and is an example of vernacular architecture. It was named after Buffalo businessman, Thomas A. Quirk, who donated most of the lumber. The Grotto and Cross were built with concrete and instead of rebar, wheels from steam engines as well as steel bars from the city jail were used to reinforce the concrete.

Erected by City of Buffalo Historic Preservation Commission, U.S. Dept of the Interior, National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund. (Marker Number 6.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 46° 55.308′ N, 97° 32.941′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, North Dakota, in Cass County. It is in Tower Township. It is at the intersection of 3rd Street North and Bush Avenue North, on the right when traveling west on 3rd Street North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 3rd Street N, Buffalo ND 58011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Red River Valley

and in Greater Fargo Area.

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It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); More House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peterson House (about 400 feet away); 1916 Buffalo High School (about 500 feet away); Old Stone Church (about 600 feet away); Calgary Episcopal Church Rectory (about 600 feet away); Quirk Lumber Office (about 800 feet away); Bateman Drugstore (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

Full view of St. Thomas Church and Grotto image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

2. Full view of St. Thomas Church and Grotto

Front view of St. Thomas Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

3. Front view of St. Thomas Church

St. Thomas Grotto image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

4. St. Thomas Grotto

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.