In Heinkenszand, Zeeland, an impressive Lourdes grotto stands at Kerkdreef 6, in the garden of the St. Blasius Church.
The memorial stone by the grotto reads that the first stone was laid by pastor J. Teule on 13 September 1911. This great devotee of Mary took the initiative to build the grotto. The Rotterdam contractor H. Fünnekotter realised the grotto. Pastor Teule's idea was to make a replica of the Southern French grotto in Lourdes so that people could visit a Lourdes grotto closer to home to pray, reflect, give thanks, and be present. However, pastor Teule did not consecrate the grotto, as he moved to another parish soon after the laying of the first stone.
On 25 March 1912, the Feast of the Annunciation, the Lourdes Grotto was consecrated by J. Boede, the dean of Goes. In front of the grotto is a fence to protect the grotto and the statues.
In 1934, the statue of Mary was replaced by a concrete Lourdes statue. This statue was a gift from the Marian Congregation. In 1980, a major restoration was carried out by J. Bos. In 1999, repair work took place again, and the grotto was secured with a glass door. Lighting was also installed in the grotto.
The Lourdes Grotto in Heinkenszand is a protected National Monument. The grotto is of cultural-historical value due to its overall style, material, and content, making it a rarity.
