Heeten – Lourdes Grotto

In the Salland village of Heeten, which belongs to the municipality of Raalte and is located in the province of Overijssel, there is a Lourdes grotto next to the Church of Mary Immaculate Conception. The three-nave hall church is dedicated to Mary Immaculate Conception and dates from 1892. The architect is Wilhelm Victor Alfred (Alfred) Tepe (1840-1920). During the Second World War (1939-1945), the church was closed for a long time due to the danger of flying bombs (V1s). In 1968, a new presbytery was built. In 1972, the old presbytery was transferred to the people of Heeten and became a cultural centre. During a visit to the grotto in June 2026, it was known that there are plans to deconsecrate the church.

The grotto with an image of Mary is a wish of pastor Bernardus Josephus Maria (Ben) Wolters (1942-2022). This wish is fulfilled by parishioners in 2007, coinciding with the church's 115th anniversary and the pastor's 65th birthday.

The grotto is a small, concrete structure from 2007 and a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes stands in the niche. The image of Bernadette is missing, making the grotto effectively a shrine to Mary. Candles cannot be lit at the grotto. Two benches for visitors are placed in front of the grotto.

On the front of the cave, at the bottom left, a plaque is affixed with the text: “115 years St Mary's Church Heeten, 8 December 2007. Donated by the parish on the occasion of Pastor Wolters” 65th birthday."

Behind the cave, on the street side, there is a sign with the text: “Thanks to the people of Heeten for their hospitality during the war years 1943-1945. The underground residents, 5 May 1995.” There is also a sign on the occasion of 125 years of the Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, 8 December 1892 – 8 December 2017.

The well-maintained grotto is on the church square, in front of the church facade and next to the churchyard.

Address: Koopmansstraat 6, 8111AP Heeten.

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