The Cove of Crosses Shrine is situated in the stairwell of the St. Thomas Apostle Parish Center (formerly St. Thomas School) located at 406 N. 10th Street. Housed and displayed within the Cove are hundreds of Crosses that have come from all over the world.
The Cove was conceived and established on Friday, September 5, 2008 when a visitor identifying himself as “The Wandering Minstrel” offered to patch and paint the stairwell in exchange for a meal. With the assistance of parish employee John Kastelic, the work was completed and a meal was shared The Minstrel then produced a hand-crafted Cross and asked John to hang it on the newly-painted stairwell wall. Before departing, the visitor described his vision of a shrine called, “Cove of Crosses.” A few days later, a beautiful Crucifix with an attached note was received from an anonymous donor. The note was dated September 14 and it read, “To John, Keep or Discard.” The Crucifix was placed next to the Minstrel’s. Soon, dozens of Crosses and Crucifixes of every description were arriving from donors throughout the world, many having their own unique and interesting back stories to share.
The Cove of Crosses was blessed and dedicated to St. Kateri Tekakwitha by parish pastor, Fr. Mariusz Majewski on October 11, 2017 during a special celebration hosted by the Catechists and students of the St. Thomas Religious Education Program. The growing Shrine was subsequently featured as a cover story in the December 1–14, 2017 issue of the Idaho Catholic Register (Vol.60, No.15).
The Cove of Crosses Shrine is free and open to the public. To donate a Cross or to learn more about the Crosses in the Cove, please contact the Parish Office at (208) 664-9259.