The Grotto was built in commemoration of the church’s 150th Anniversary, which was held on October 15th, 1939. It is a replica of the famous grotto at Lourdes, France. Interesting Note: The water used by Archbishop John J. Glennon of St. Louis, in the dedication of the Grotto, came from the original Lourdes Grotto in France. The water was given by the Rev. B.J. O’Flynn, pastor of the Portageville church, who visited Lourdes in 1925 and brought the water home with him. Ground was broken at 11:00 am Thursday morning, September 21, for the Grotto being built on the Catholic School grounds by Immaculate Conception Parish. The first spade of ground was lifted by The Rev. Walter A. Riske, Pastor of the church. Sister Consulata, Mother Superior of the Immaculate Conception School, lifted the second spade and Joseph M. Jasinski, who is in charge of building the Grotto, lifted the third spade of ground.
The grotto has a 35 ton concrete base that supports 90 tons of rock. The structure is 18 feet tall and 35 feet wide at the base. The base in made of solid concrete and sunk three feet into the ground. The statue of the Immaculate Conception is about 6 feet tall and is placed in an alcove near the top of the grotto. St. Bernadette is about 3 feet tall and is located on the ground. These 2 statues were given to the Parish by Mrs. M. V. Francis and her 2 daughters in memory of her parents. The total cost of the Grotto was about $1,800.00