December 27, 2012: Cooks Creek Grotto in winter

History of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Miracle at Lourdes in 1958, a number of Manitoba priests led by Father Philip Ruh built replicas of the famous French grotto “Our Lady of Lourdes” in the current rural community Cooks Creek, northeast of the City of Winnipeg. By 1962, when the priest died, it still hadn’t been completed. The cave-like structure, made of cement shaped to look like rocks, was ultimately finished and is the province’s largest Lourdes Grotto replica.

Immaculate Conception Church’s Grotto is located in a tiny community Cooks Creek, east of Bird Hill Provincial Park. Other nearby attraction is Cook’s Creek Heritage Museum, located 1.5km north of this church. See map below for driving direction.

December 27, 2012: Immaculate Conception Church

December 27, 2012: Immaculate Conception Church viewed from a different angle

December 27, 2012: Not sure what this is...either a bell tower or tower for the dead?!?! ò.ó

December 27, 2012: Grotto ruins

December 27, 2012: the Grotto was fenced off and could not be entered. :-(

December 27, 2012: This grotto is pretty big.

December 27, 2012: Tried a different location, but still couldn't see past the annoying fence. :-(

December 27, 2012: Trying to see the grotto through the fence.

December 27, 2012: through the fence

December 27, 2012: amazing grotto, finally!!!

December 27, 2012: two thumbs up!!

December 27, 2012: Bye, bye, Cooks Creek.

Map and Driving Direction

Exact location of the Cooks Creek Grotto is indicated by Green Arrow on the following map (click EXTERNAL LINK below to view map).