The Last Supper
A highlight in the St. Joseph Center and Museum is the impressive 22 foot-long wood sculpture of the life-size Last Supper, one of only three in-the-round design wood sculptures in the world.
The Last Supper was completed in 1995 by award-winning carver Jerry Traufler of Le Mars, Iowa after seven years of work. He started with a pencil outline and then took the unique approach of shaping the characters based on his wife and friends, who posed for photographs dressed as individual apostles.
While Traufler based his outline on the Leonardo Da Vinci painting, his use of friends gives the sculpture a special look. At the Last Supper Jesus announced to His disciples that one among them was about to betray Him. Traufler worked to capture the apostle's various expressions conveying attention, questions and discussion.
There are 12 apostles and Jesus in the Last Supper sculpture -- with James and Andrew sculpted as one unit. Each figure weighs 200 to 300 lbs. The work of art also includes individually carved goblets and unleavened bread on a massive table. The wood is basswood and pine.
Thanks to the artistic skill and dedication of Jerry Traufler, you can view the Last Supper today in the beautiful octagon room of the St. Joseph Center-Museum where it is now on permanent display.
About the Sculpter
Jerry Traufler and his wife, Arlene, wanted to have this religious work on display in the Midwest and donated the sculpture to Trinity Heights in 1995. The work was a great achievement after nearly 20 years of woodcarving that began in 1975.
Traufler, a postal employee, had entered and won numerous national and international competitions including, the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto; International Woodcarvers Congress, Davenport; Fur Rendevoux, Anchorage, Alaska; Iowa Woodcarvers Show, Waterloo, Iowa; and the California Woodcarvers Competition.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace
The 30-ft stainless steel sculpture of Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace is a cornerstone at Trinity Heights. She reaches Her left hand out to visitors welcoming them in, and with Her right hand shows them the way to the 33-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Her Son. Unknown to planners and perhaps by Divine intervention, She was placed precisely on the spot where the Trinity College Chapel had been located years before.
Surrounding Mary are pathways leading to the 20 decades of the Rosary. A short distance away is the Circle of Life Memorial to the Unborn and Trinity Gardens.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
On the opposite side of the grounds of Trinity Heights stands the 33-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mary's Son, which dominates the western portion of the grounds. Jesus Looks over the Outdoor Cathedral, including the Stations of the Cross, the Way of the Saints, the Eight Beatitudes, along with the Apparitions of Mary and the Veterans’ Memorial Tribute.
The Statues of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus were created by world-famous sculptor Dale Lamphere.
Veterans’ Memorial Tribute
This tribute to all of our servicemen and women, past and present, is located in front of the statue of Jesus. This God Bless America rock was placed in the center of our Veteran's Memorial by Beanie Cooper after 9/11. We owe so much to these great veterans who gave so much of themselves for all of us.
Six Apparitions of Mary
Come share in the Six Apparitions of our Blessed Mother Mary.
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Way of the Saints
Statues of Mother Teresa, Saint Padre Pio, Saint Therese the Little Flower, Saint Peregrine, and Saints Peter and Paul, grace the interior of The Way of the Saints. Along the exterior sidewalk are six "clusters" of saints where plaques — honoring a total of 60 saints — inform visitors about their lives. Benches and a shady gazebo offer respite from the sun and a place to rest.
Marian Center Gift Shop
Visit the premier Catholic gift shop. Visitors will find an array of products in our 1500 sq. ft gift shop.
View Shop
St. Joseph Center & Chapel
Last Supper
The Last Supper life-sized wood carving gives artistic testimony to the love Jesus has for mankind.
Trinity Museum Exhibits
St. Joseph Center houses photos, graduation photos, scrapbooks, yearbooks and other records of Trinity College and Trinity High School and Prep Seminary. It also includes photos and records of The St. Joseph and St. Vincent School of Nursing, also now closed.
Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel
Feel free to kneel or sit in His Holy Presence. All are welcome to join us in praying the daily 4 p.m. Rosary.
Masses are held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and every first Saturday at 9 a.m. Stop in to venerate numerous relics in our vast collection, including the relic of St. Faustina.
Relic of St. Faustina
St. Faustina was born in 1905 in Poland into a religious family of peasants, the third of ten children. She was drawn to the religious life in her early years, but initially worked as a housekeeper to support her family. After a call by God in a vision, she was accepted at the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925.
St. Faustina's extensive writings and diary shed light on the mystery of the Divine Mercy. She suffered with tuberculosis and died at the young age of 33 in 1938. She was canonized in 2000.
In 2009 Father Leroy Seuntjens led a team from Trinity Heights to Poland to obtain a relic of St. Faustina, and placed the relic in the St. Joseph Center Chapel during the Divine Mercy Novena led by Bishop R. Walker Nickless.
Heaven’s Special Children
This memorial is dedicated to those wonderful “special” people whom God has chosen to reveal many of his own attributes.
We honor their dedicated parents, relatives, friends and caregivers who have given exemplary witness to the love of God made visible in these dear ones.
Circle of Life
Rachel Weeping is the central focus of the Circle of Life Memorial to the Unborn. Dedicated to the victims of abortion, it is a place to inspire reflection, forgiveness, prayer, and hope. You are invited to the National Day of Remembrance on the 2nd Saturday in September at 11 am for the National Day of Remembrance Prayer Service.
Donations
We rely entirely on donations to operate Trinity Heights. You can make a memorial or recognition gift to honor a loved one or make a general donation to help us maintain our grounds and facilities for visitors. All gifts support Trinity Heights as a sacred destination for prayer, praise and reflection.
We welcome your calls regarding plaques and other ways of giving that provide you with financial benefits. All gifts are tax-deductible. We also invite you to volunteer. When you support Trinity Heights, you benefit persons of faith by contributing to a place of prayer for thousands of visitors a year.