Portland church dedicates shrine to bicyclists

By KOMO Staff

Summary

St. Stephens Episcopal Parish dedicated the Shrine of Madonna del Ghisallo on Nov. 2 - All Souls Day, honoring all bicyclists.

Story Published: Nov 4, 2009 at 5:10 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 4, 2009 at 5:10 PM PST

Portland church dedicates shrine to bicyclists
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A local church has dedicated a shrine to the patron saint of cyclists.

St. Stephens Episcopal Parish dedicated the Shrine of Madonna del Ghisallo on Nov. 2 - All Souls Day, honoring all bicyclists.

The downtown Portland church is the first in the nation to dedicate a shrine to bicyclists.

"We live in a diverse community.God loves everyone, and wants us to feel safe in our daily travels. We are trying to provide a place for blessings and remembrance. Most of us have lost someone to a bicycle accident, we hope this will give people a physical place for remembering them," said parish president Mic Fleming in a statement.

Madonna del Ghisallo was declared the patron saint of cyclists by Pope Pius XII in 1949.