July 1, 2026, Press Release from the American Society of Ephesus, Inc.:
RUSSELLS POINT, Ohio – A lot of folks are asking about the status of the new Our Lady of Fatima shrine at Indian Lake. Construction activity has been seen for months, but the site is closed for now and only visible from the lake.
Bill Quatman, president of the shrine’s Lima-based owner, The American Society of Ephesus, Inc. (“ASE”), says that, “The project is on schedule for an August 14-15 dedication weekend, and the public is invited.” The Public Dedication will be on Fri., Aug. 14 at 5:30-6:30 pm, followed by the return of the annual Catholic mass at the shrine on Sat., Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption. Those events begin at 4 pm with a music hour and a Rosary. Then, mass is from 5:00-6:30 pm, followed by a reception on site from 6:30-7:30 pm.
All events are at the shrine property, known as “St. Mary’s Point, at 261 Chase Ave. in Russells Point. Note, that there is no public parking at the shrine, but the owner is providing free shuttles from the St. Mary of the Woods Church parking lot at 434 Madison Ave. to the shrine. “We are finishing the concrete around the structure this week,” Quatman said, “and the landscaping and sod will start next week. Watch for more details to come.”
Three bronze informational plaques will be delivered the morning of July 1 and a new granite bench to replace one destroyed by the tornado arrives on Thurs., July 2. Three bronze statues of the “Fatima children” are set to be installed on July 8. The 20-foot tall fiberglass Mary statue will be set on July 14, after it is blessed by the pastor from St. Mary of the Woods Church. Construction is by Touchstone CPM, LLC of Lima and the statues were created by artist Mike Major of Urbana.
“Keep in mind that this is an active construction site, so we don’t want people coming until the Dedication in August, when the grass has grown back and the site is open to the public,” said Mr. Quatman. “Especially for the Independence Day holiday this weekend, the entry gate will be locked and we ask people to please stay off of the property. Take pictures from the water, but please don’t try to enter the property just yet.”
The original 1964 shrine was destroyed by a tornado in March 2024. The owner has been working for over two years to design and construct a new shrine on the site. “Our plans started the day after the tornado and a state-wide design competition in 2024 gave us lots of great ideas on what people wanted to see for the new shrine.”
The American Society of Ephesus, Inc. (George B. Quatman Foundation) is a non-profit private foundation formed in 1955 and based in Lima, Ohio whose mission is to promote a greater realization and appreciation of the teachings and wonders of God; to preserve and erect religious shrines; and to restore and preserve the burial grounds of outstanding religious leaders. To find out more, please visit www.ase1955.org.
The Our Lady of Fatima Shrine at Russells Point, Ohio was one of the tallest statues of the Virgin Mary in the United States. Dedicated in August 1964, the 43’ tall monument included a rotating 19’-6” fiberglass statue on a concrete pedestal with fountains, music and lighting. It was damaged beyond repair by the March 2024 tornado prior to a planned 60th anniversary celebration. The new Shrine will be the same height as the old one, set on a new stone base.
St. Mary of the Woods Parish began in 1927 and promotes the ideals of Christian community through the recognition that each person is given the manifestation of the Spirit of the common good. The parish believes in fostering spiritual growth through scripture, the sacraments and through the use of each person's gifts in our family. To find out more, please visit www.queenofangelsfamily.com.
