Lourdes Grottos in Illinois
(beautiful 1930s photo from Dominican University archives)
Numerous Lourdes grotto replicas were built in the state of Illinois: around 120 at current count. Since this is far too many to detail on one page, I have grouped them by diocese, and will try to slowly add descriptions and links to diocese pages.
A list of all the grottos I’ve found in the state of Illinois is shown below the diocese map and links. It can be sorted by clicking on any of the column headers.
Archdiocese of Chicago Diocese of Belleville Diocese of Joliet
Diocese of Peoria Diocese of Rockford Diocese of Springfield
Type of Institution Key:
C=Church S=School M=Convent/Monastery H=Hospital O=Orphanage/Old Home I=Independent Pilgrim Site T=Cemetery R=Retreat P=Private Residence X=Other
| State | Diocese | City | Institution | Type | Name | Date(s) | Extant? | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Springfield | Alton | St. Mary’s Church | C | Lourdes Grotto | c.1946 | yes | 519 E 4th St, Alton, IL 62002 |
| Illinois | Springfeld | Alton | Ursuline Convent | M | Old grotto | c.1910 | no | 4th st, now site of Marquette HS |
| Illinois | Springfeld | Alton | Ursuline Convent | M | New Grotto | 1935 | no | convent moved 1926 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Arlington Heights | St. James Convent & School | S | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1954 | no | 831 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 |
| Illinois | Rockford | Aurora / Marywood | Annunciation Church | C | Lourdes garden | 1910 | yes | 1820 Church Rd, Aurora, IL 60505 |
| Illinois | Rockford | Aurora | Private residence: Kroeger | P | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1952 | prob not | Church Rd, Aurora, IL |
| Illinois | Rockford | Aurora | St. Mary’s Church | C | 1910 | no | 430 E Downer Pl, Aurora, IL 60505 | |
| Illinois | Rockford | Aurora | St. Nicholas Convent | M | Lourdes Grotto | 1934 | no | 426 Liberty St Aurora, IL |
| Illinois | Joliet | Beaverville | St Mary’s Church / Holy Family Academy | S | 1911 | yes | 308 St Charles St, Beaverville, IL 60912 | |
| Illinois | Belleville | Belleville | Notre Dame Convent / old Immaculate Conception Academy | M | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1897 | no | 3rd & Harrison Sts, Belleville, IL 62220 |
| Illinois | Belleville | Belleville | Notre Dame Academy (new location) | S | bef. 1931 | no | 6401 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62223 | |
| Illinois | Belleville | Belleville | Glen Addie Orphanage | O | Lourdes Grotto | 1931 | no | Lebanon Ave & St. John Dr, Belleville, IL |
| Illinois | Belleville | Belleville | National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows | I | Lourdes Grotto | 1960 | yes | 442 S Demazenod Dr, Belleville, IL 62223 |
| Illinois | Belleville | Belleville | St. Mary’s Parish | C | Lourdes Grotto | 1946 | yes | 1706 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62226 |
| Illinois | Belleville | Belleville | St. Vincent’s Hospital | H | Grotto | c.1905 | no | 211 S 3rd St, Belleville, IL 62220 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Bloomington | Lucca Forest | I | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1948 | no | Deer Ridge Rd, Bloomington, IL |
| Illinois | Peoria | Bloomington | St. Joseph’s Hospital | H | Moratz Grotto | 1912 | no | Jackson & Morris, Bloomington, IL |
| Illinois | Chicago | Blue Island | St. Donatus Convent | M | Lourdes Grotto | 1956 | no | 1939 Union St, Blue Island, IL 60406 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Blue Island | St. Isadore the Farmer Church | C | Lourdes grotto and WWII plaque | 1946 | partial | 1811 Burr Oak Ave, Blue Island, IL 60406 |
| Illinois | Joliet | Bourbonnais | Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1915 | yes | 308 E Marsile St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 |
| Illinois | Belleville | Breese | John H. Huelselmann Home (private) | P | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (small shrine in backyard) | 1954 | 801 N Main St. Breese, IL | |
| Illinois | Belleville | Carlyle | St. Mary’s Catholic Church | C | Grotto | 1900 | no | 1171 Livingston St, Carlyle, IL 62231 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Champaign | St. Matthew Catholic Church | C | Grotto | 2023 | yes | 1303 Lincolnshire Dr, Champaign, IL 61821 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Bohemian Catholic Church (indoor?) | C | Lourdes Grotto | 1908 | no | Canalport Ave & 18th St |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Convent of Helpers of the Holy Souls | M | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | by1939 | no | 1300 South St. Louis Avenue Chicago |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Daughters of St. Mary of Providence | M | Lourdes garden | yes | 4200 N Austin Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Felician Sisters Provincial House, Congregation of the Sisters of St.Felix of Cantalice | M | Lourdes garden; Staions/Cross; Fatima | 1921-1927 | yes | 3800 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Holy Cross Church | C | yes | 1740 W 46th St, Chicago, IL 60609 | ||
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Holy Trinity Polish Catholic Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1933 | yes | 1118 N Noble St, Chicago, IL 60642 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Longwood Academy of Our Lady School, Sisters of Notre Dame/Chicago Public Schools Charter School | S | Grotto of Lourdes | 1908 | yes | 9833 S Throop St, Chicago, IL 60643 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Monastery of Poor Clares | M | Grotto of Lourdes, cloister garden with Stations and another grotto | no | 5245 Laflin St. Chicago, IL | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Mundelein College (women’s) | S | Lourdes Grotto in Little Green House conservatory | bef.1930 | no | 6367 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Notre Dame de Chicago Church (lower church?) | C | Grotto of Lourdes | 1896 | no | 1334 W Flournoy St, Chicago, IL 60607 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Our Lady of Lourdes Church (indoor, old) | C | small Grotto of Lourdes, next to altar | 1892 | no | 4641 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Our Lady of Lourdes Church (indoor) | C | Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1917/42 | yes | 4640 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | Resurrection High School, Ascension Living Resurrection Village, Sisters of the Resurrection | S | Lourdes garden | 1922 | yes | 7262 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60631 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Agnes Church | C | by1907 | no | 38th & Washtenaw (old); 2651 S Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Anne’s Hospital | H | 1910s? | no | 4950 W Thomas St, Chicago, IL 60651 | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Casimir Convent, Sisters of St. Casimir, Marquette Park | M | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1909 | yes | 2601 W Marquette Rd, Chicago, IL 60629 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Cecilia Convent | M | Lourdes garden? — angel statue, not Mary | no | 4539 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60609 | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Elizabeth’s Hospital | H | Grotto of Lourdes | 1890s? | no | 1431 N Claremont Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Genevieve Church | C | no | 4835 W Altgeld St, Chicago, IL 60639 | ||
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. George Lithuanian Church | C | no | 3230 S Lituanica Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 | ||
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Hedwig Church | C | yes | 2226 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 | ||
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Mary’s Church (basement) | C | Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1897 | no | Wabash Ave and Eldridge Ct |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Peter’s Church?, grotto park outside downtown | C | Grotto Gey, c.1906 postcard | 1906? | no | unknown |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Procopius (indoor) | C | Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1906-08 | yes | 18th St. & Racine Avenue |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Raphael Parish, Sisters of Christian Charity (closed) | C | Lourdes Grotto | bef.1958 | partial | 6011 S Justine St, Chicago, IL 60636 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Stephens Church (Old) | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1928 | no | 923 W Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60642 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Turibius Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1928 | 5646 S Karlov Ave, Chicago, IL 60629 | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Xavier Academy, Sisters of Mercy | S | Grotto of Lourdes | 1913 | no | 4930 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60615 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Chicago | St. Xavier College | S | Grotto | c.1906 | no | 4930 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60615 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Cicero | St. Dionysius Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1899 | no | 4860 W 29th St, Cicero, IL 60804 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Coffeen | St. John’s Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1940 | no | 400 Jefferson St. Coffeen, IL 62017 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Cullom | St. John Catholic Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1954 | no | 113 W Van Alstyne St, Cullom, IL 60929 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Des Plaines | Casa Iskali / St. Frances Cabrini Retreat Center | R | c.1958 | yes | 9430 W Golf Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016 | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Des Plaines | St. Mary’s School Orphanage/Maryville | O | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1946 | 1150 River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016 | |
| Illinois | Belleville | East St. Louis | St. Elizabeth’s Parish | C | Lourdes grotto | 1959 | yes | 2501 Ridge Ave ESL |
| Illinois | Belleville | East St. Louis | St. Teresa Academy | S | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1915 | no | 510 N 25th St, East St Louis, IL 62205 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Edwardsville | St. Mary’s Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1958 | no | 300 West Park St Edwardsville, IL |
| Illinois | Springfield | Edwardsville | St. Mary’s Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 2010-11 | yes | 1802 Madison Ave, Edwardsville, IL 62025 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Effingham | HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital | H | 1960s | yes | 503 N Maple St, Effingham, IL 62401 | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Evanston | St. Francis Hospital | H | Grotto | 1938 | no | 355 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202 |
| Illinois | Rockford | Freeport | St. Francis Hospital | H | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1926 | yes | 1209 S Walnut Ave, Freeport, IL 61032 |
| Illinois | Belleville | Germantown | St. Boniface Church | C | Grotto of the Immaculate Conception | 1952 | yes | 306 Munster St, Germantown, IL 62245 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Germantown Hills | St. Mary of Lourdes Church, Lourdes (Germantown Hills, Metamora), IL | C | Lourdes Grotto | 1928 | yes | 424 Lourdes Church Rd, Germantown Hills, IL 61548 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Gillespie | Sts Simon and Jude Church | C | 1943 | no | 304 N Macoupin St, Gillespie, IL 62033 | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Glenview | Redemptorist Retreat House | R | Lourdes Grotto | pre-1938? | no | 1111 Milwaukee Ave, Glenview, IL 60025 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Harvey | St. John the Baptist / Lord of Mercy Church | C | Lourdes Grotto | 1927 | yes | 15746 Union Ave, Harvey, IL 60426 |
| Illinois | Belleville | Hecker | St. Augustine of Canterbury Church | C | Lourdes Grotto (between church & convent) | 1930 | no | 310 N Main St, Hecker, IL 62248 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Hillside | Queen of Heaven Cemetery (indoor) | T | Grotto of Lourdes | 1957 | yes | 1400 S Wolf Rd, Hillside, IL 60162 |
| Illinois | Joliet | Hinsdale | Mayslake Retreat House | R | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | aft.1927 | no | 1717 31st St, Oak Brook, IL 60523 |
| Illinois | Rockford | Johnsburg | St. John’s Church and Cemetery | T | Lourdes Grotto | 1920 | yes | 2302 W Church St, Johnsburg, IL 60051 |
| Illinois | Joliet | Joliet | Guardian Angel Home/University of St. Francis | O | Lourdes Grotto | 1935 | yes | 1550 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, IL 60435 |
| Illinois | Joliet | Joliet | St. Joseph Cemetery | T | Grotto | 1947 | yes | 1500 N Raynor Ave, Joliet, IL 60435 |
| Illinois | Joliet | Joliet | University of St. Francis, Franciscans of Joliet (to be senior housing) | S | The Grotto | bef.1939 | yes | 500 Wilcox St, Joliet, IL 60435 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Kickapoo | St. Patrick’s Cemetery | T | Grotto of Our Blessed Mother (w/ Lourdes statue) | 1931 | yes | 8401 N Voorhees Rd, Brimfield, IL 61517 |
| Illinois | Chicago | LaGrange Park | Bethlehem Woods Ret, Srs of St. Joseph, OL of Bethlehem Academy, Nazareth Acad, Alexine | M | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1914 | yes | 1209 Ogden Ave, La Grange Park, IL 60526 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Lake Forest | Convent of the Sacred Heart | M | Grotto of Our Lady | bef.1945 | no | 760 E Westleigh Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Lake Zurich | Mount St. Joseph (care facility for mentally challenged women) | O | The Grotto | 1930s | yes | 24955 N U.S. Hwy 12, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 |
| Illinois | Peoria | La Salle | St. Mary’s Hospital | H | Grotto | 1951 | no | 1015 Oconor Ave, La Salle, IL 61301 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Lemont | St. Mary’s Slovenian Catholic Mission | M | Lourdes Grotto | 1930s | yes | 14246 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Lemont | Mount Assisi Convent and Academy | M | Grotto of Lourdes | 1932 | 13900 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439 | |
| Illinois | Chicago | Lemont | Our Lady of Victory Convent, Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago | M | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1946 | yes | 11400 Theresa Dr, Lemont, IL 60439 |
| Illinois | Belleville | Lincoln | St. Clara Hospital | H | grotto | no | 200 5th St, Lincoln, IL 62656 | |
| Illinois | Joliet | Lisle | Villa St. Benedict, Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart | M | Lourdes garden | aft. 1919 | yes | 1920 Maple Ave, Lisle, IL 60532 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Litchfield | St. Francis Hospital | H | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1922 | no | State Street, Litchfield, IL |
| Illinois | Joliet | Manteno | Our Lady Academy / St. Joseph Church | S | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1924 | yes | 207 S Main St, Manteno, IL 60950 |
| Illinois | Joliet | Momence | St. Patrick’s Catholic Church | C | Grotto | 1926 | yes | 119 Market St, Momence, IL 60954 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Mundelein | St. Mary of the Lake Seminary | S | Lourdes garden; Stations/Cross garden | 1926 | yes | 1000 E Maple Ave, Mundelein, IL 60060 |
| Illinois | Joliet | Naperville | Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery | T | Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto | 1920 | yes | 911 North Ave, Naperville, IL 60540 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Niles | Notre Dame College Prep | S | Our Lady of Notre Dame Grotto | 2009 | yes | 7655 W Dempster St, Niles, IL 60714 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Normal | Epiphany School | S | Grotto | 2010s | yes | 1002 E College Ave, Normal, IL 61761 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Normal | St. John Paul II Catholic Newman Center | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 2020 | yes | 501 S Main St, Normal, IL 61761 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Pana | St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (indoor) | C | Shrine of Lourdes | 1929 | yes | 303 S Locust St, Pana, IL 62557 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Peoria | Peoria Notre Dame High School | S | Fountain of Grace Grotto (w/Lourdes statue) | 2022 | yes | 5105 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria, IL 61614 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Peoria | St. Francis Hospital | H | Lourdes Grotto | 1929 | no | 530 NE Glen Oak Ave, Peoria, IL 61637 |
| Illinois | Joliet | Plainfield | St. Mary Immaculate Cemetery | T | Lourdes Grotto | 2012 | yes | 14176-14314 Naperville Rd, Plainfield, IL 60544 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Quincy | St. Mary/Notre Dame Academy | S | The Grotto | bef.1917 | no | 8th & Vermont, Quincy, IL |
| Illinois | Springfield | Quincy | St. Mary’s Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady | bef.1917 | no | 1119 S 7th St, Quincy, IL 62301 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Raymond | Route 66 | I | Our Lady of the Highways | 1959 | yes | 22353 W Frontage Rd, Raymond, IL 62560 |
| Illinois | Chicago | River Forest | Rosary College /Dominican University, Dominican Sisters | S | Lourdes Grotto and garden | 1929 | yes | 7900 Division St, River Forest, IL 60305 |
| Illinois | Rockford | Rockford | Poor Clare Colettines of Corpus Christi Monastery | M | Lourdes Grotto | bef.1961 | yes | 2111 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61102 |
| Illinois | Rockford | Rockford | St. Mary Oratory (indoor/outdoor grotto) | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1928 | yes | 517 Elm St, Rockford, IL 61102 |
| Illinois | Belleville | Ruma | Convent Sisters of the Most Precious Blood | M | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1892 | yes | 2 Pioneer Ln, Ruma, IL 62278 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Schaumburg | St. Matthew’s Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1999 | yes | 1005 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Springfield | Blessed Sacrament Church (indoor) | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1930 | yes | 1725 S Walnut St, Springfield, IL 62704 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Springfield | Sacred Heart Academy, Dominican Sisters Convent | S | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | by1922 | no | 1200 W Washington St, Springfield, IL 62702 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Springfield | Springfield College / Ursuline Sisters Convent | S | Grotto of Lourdes | 1934 | no | 1500 N 5th St, Springfield, IL 62702 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Springfield | Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, Franciscan Convent | M | Grotto of Our Lady | 1932 | yes | 4849 Laverna Rd, Springfield, IL 62707 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Spring Valley | St. Margaret’s Hospital | H | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1944 | yes | 600 E 1st St, Spring Valley, IL 61362 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Streator | Immaculate Conception Church | C | Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes | 1922 | no | 408 N Park St, Streator, IL 61364 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Streator | St. Mary’s Hospital | H | Grotto | bef 1914 | no | 111 Spring St. Streator, IL |
| Illinois | Chicago | Summit | St. Joseph Parish | C | Lourdes garden, | 1934 | yes | 5634 S 72nd Ct, Summit, IL 60501 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Techny | Holy Ghost Academy, Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit | S | Lourdes garden | aft.1914 | no | 2700 Summit Dr, Glenview, IL 60025 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Techny | Provincial House, Society of the Divine Word | M | Lourdes Grotto | 1938 | yes | 1985 S Waukegan Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062 |
| Illinois | Springfield | Teutopolis | High School | S | Lourdes grotto | 1954 | yes | 309 E Main St, Teutopolis, IL 62467 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Washburn | St. Elizabeth Church | C | Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes | 1959 | yes | 411 E Parkside Dr, Washburn, IL 61570 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Waukegan | St. Therese Hospital | H | Shrine of Our Lady | by1946 | no | 2615 Washington St, Waukegan, IL 60085 |
| Illinois | Peoria | Wedron | St. Joseph’s Health Resort | H | Lourdes Grotto | by1952 | no | 2026 N 3372nd Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Wilmette | Maria Immaculata Convent (Mallinckrodt), Sisters of Christian Charity/Wilmette Park District | M | Lourdes garden | 1914 | 1041 Ridge Rd A, Wilmette, IL 60091 | |