Description of Historic Place

The Grotto and Calvary is a place of pilgrimage and of assembly located in the heart of the Village of Saint-Louis-de-Kent, on the hillside on the south bank of the Kouchibouguacis River beside Principale Street (Route 134).

Heritage Value

Since 1878 and 1882 respectively, the Grotto and the Calvary have served as a place of pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the Acadians. Each year, on occasions such as Corpus Christi in June, the Feast of St. Anne on July 26, and the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, a procession or a mass is held near the Grotto.

Nestled on the hillside overlooking the river and surrounded by mature Acadian forest, the Grotto and Calvary present an arrangement of monuments, original statues, and stone walls. This location was chosen for the raising of the Acadian flag during the first Acadian World Congress in 1994. There were 3000 people in attendance, including many dignitaries. Since that day, the Acadian flag has flown on the wharf near the Grotto.

Source: Saint-Louis-de-Kent Municipal Building, File Number 01 07.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to location and context of the Grotto and Calvary include:
- access from Principale Street;
- fieldstone wall running the full length of the lot forming the clearly visible boundary;
- the trail, in the shape of the letter “M” for Mary, leads to the Calvary on top of the hill;
- three statues (Jesus on the cross, Mary and St. John) mounted on concrete pedestals, decorated with fieldstones;
- prie dieu;
- groomed trail, adorned with floral arrangements, leading to the wharf near the Grotto;
- spacious lot bordered with a fence on the river side;
- low wall of fieldstones in the shape of a star;
- three flagpoles;
- grotto forming the statue niche;
- bronze statue of the Virgin Mary;
- a wall of dressed stones with stars carved into two of the stones;
- statue of St. Bernadette kneeling at the feet of the Virgin Mary;
- freshwater spring;
- staircase leading to Principale Street.