In 1867, the MEP missionaries in Puducherry wished to build a Chapel at Villianur which is 13 kilometers from Pondicherry, on the road to Villupuram.

It is said that the building of the church was sponsored by the thanksgiving offering of Dr.Lephine's family for the miraculous cure of his daughter.

Tarbes a cousin brother of St. Bernadette, the visionary of Lourdes, was appointed as the parish priest of Villianur mission.

In 1885 the archbishop Laouënan went to Rome and provided a report of the alleged miracles that took place at the shrine to Pope Leo XIII.

The archbishop received the pontifical decree on 21 February 1886 to declare the site an official shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and to canonically crown the statue.

On the archbishop's return from Rome on 8 May 1886, a pontifical high mass was held, with the celebration being witnessed by around 40,000 people.

It is believed by the people here that the pond water is miraculous and has the ability to cure the sick and bring good fortune.

Duissen built a big grotto in the garden of the church, which was consecrated by bishop Venmani S. Selvanather on 10 October 1978.

Every first Saturday in the month of August, The Holy Water from Lourdes Church, France is poured into the 'Sacred Pond' at Villianur Shrine.

It starts from Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pondicherry and ends in the shrine covering approximately 12 km.

A. Arulanandam, the Vicar General of Archdiocese blessed and officially commenced the construction work for the Church.