Throughout history, scores of people have been vilified, persecuted, and killed for standing by their religious beliefs. In 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized 117 martyrs, a representative group from Vietnam who, during the 1700s and 1800s were murdered for standing by the Catholic Church.

Few people know that just three years later on a peaceful, country road in the Upstate, a shrine was built and dedicated to the martyrs.
Google/Phil Trivilino
It's estimated by the Vatican that there are somewhere between 150,000 and 300,000 Vietnamese martyrs. When Pope John Paul II canonized the representative 117 in 1988, he also dedicated November 24th as an annual memorial to all Vietnamese Martyrs.
This lonesome and lovely South Carolina shrine that is dedicated to them is located eight miles north of Greer on SC-14.
Google local/GABRIEL CRAFT
Our Lady of Vietnam Park is as small and intimate space with various angelic statues scattered around the small park. There are also picnic tables placed under a big shade tree.
At the center of the shrine is the Virgin Mary and Christ child, each with oversized hands.
Google local/GABRIEL CRAFT

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Each side of centerpiece has a plaque of dedication. One is written in English; while the other is written in Vietnamese.
Google/Phil Trivilino
The park is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Charleston.
Google / maps [enhanced]
The modest entrance is flanked on either side by a bricked wall. The shrine is found standing at the edge of the treeline far beyond the iron gate and is open to all visitors.
Locating Our Lady of Vietnam Park and the shrine of the Vietnamese martyrs is an easy task, as long as you slow down when you're in the vicinity.
Google / Maps
There are no signs by the highway, so you'll just need to look for the brick wall and the iron gates to know you've arrived.

Did you know about this unique shrine in South Carolina? Here’s a Google map to guide you to the location of this shrine at Our Lady of Vietnam Park!

Address: 4048 SC-14, Greer, SC, 29651

For another must-see roadside attraction in this part of the state, head to Campbell’s Covered Bridge – which is fewer than four miles from this shrine!

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