The shrine at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights was dedicated in June of 1965, it stands 15 feet above ground level with a five-foot-six-inch statue made of Carrera marble.
The statue incorporates a good deal of symbolism in its design. The twelve stars surrounding the figure of the Blessed Virgin refer to the verse in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 12, Verse 1: “A great sign appeared in the sky; a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” This verse also explains the crescent moon at her feet. The earth-like globe and the serpent coiled around it refer to the verse in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 3, Verse 15: “The Lord God said to the snake: ‘I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers. They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.’”
The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in December of 1973.
At the base of the shrine is a monogram of the Immaculate Conception with letters entwined that spell out the word "Maria".