Saint Joseph in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

1. Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes Marker (Side A)

Inscription. The Grotto (D.X. Murphy & Bros., Architects) was dedicated in 1927 as a place for contemplation on St. Joseph Infirmary grounds. Two-story, half-domed, concrete apse is faced on inside with stones and rubble. Modeled on natural grotto at Lourdes, SW France, where Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.

Their statues adorned Louisville Grotto. Masonry walls enclose Grotto’s Garden. Fourteen arched niches, since filled in, held mosaics of Stations of the Cross, events from end of Jesus’ life. Dwane Beckhart painted modern replacements. Named state landmark by Ky. Heritage Council, 2001.
Given by St. Joseph's Area Association, Inc.

Erected 2005 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2179.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 38° 12.831′ N, 85° 44.87′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson

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County. It is in Saint Joseph. It is at the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Presidents Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Bradley Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisville KY 40217, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Joseph Infirmary (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heroism at Little Big Horn / Saddler Sergeant Otto Voit (approx. half a mile away); National Pan-Hellenic Council (approx. half a mile away); Kappa Alpha Psi (approx. half a mile away); Alpha Kappa Alpha (approx. half a mile away); Alpha Phi Alpha (approx. half a mile away); Iota Phi Theta (approx. half a mile away); Omega Psi Phi (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all

Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

2. Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes Marker (Side B)

markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . Secret Spot: Louisville’s Secret Garden. From Urban Explorer. Posted February 5, 2019. (Submitted on December 2, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

3. Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes Marker

Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

4. Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 941 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on December 2, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.