Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

The Basilica of Saint Mary
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

The Basilica of Saint Mary in 2016
Location in Minneapolis–Saint Paul Show map of Minneapolis–Saint Paul Location in Minnesota Show map of Minnesota Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	1600 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Area	2.5 acres (1.0 ha)
Built	1907–1914
Architect	Masqueray, E.L.
Architectural style	Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.	75000985
Added to NRHP	March 26, 1975

The Basilica of Saint Mary is a large Catholic church in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is a special type of church called a minor basilica, an honor given by the Pope. In 1926, it became the very first basilica in the United States.

The church is also a co-cathedral. This means it shares the role of being the main church for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis with the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Before it was called the Basilica of Saint Mary, its name was the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

History of the Basilica
Architecture and Design
Music at the Basilica
- Choirs and Musicians
- The Grand Organ
Basilica Block Party
Gallery
See also

History of the Basilica

The beautiful interior of the Basilica of Saint Mary

A New Church for Minneapolis

The Basilica of Saint Mary was built to replace an older church from 1871. That church was being surrounded by new warehouses, so a new location was needed. Archbishop John Ireland announced the plans for a new church on Christmas Day in 1903.

A large piece of land near Loring Park was donated for the new building. The design was created by a famous French-American architect named Emmanuel Louis Masqueray. He also designed the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Masqueray chose a grand style called Beaux-Arts, which was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings.

Construction began on August 7, 1907. The cornerstone, a special stone laid at the start of construction, was placed on May 31, 1908. It was a huge event with 30,000 people, including bishops and priests.

Building a Masterpiece

As the church was being built, people were amazed by its design. A magazine called American Architect said that it and the Saint Paul Cathedral would be some of the most splendid churches ever built in the United States.

The church opened for services in 1914, but it wasn't completely finished. The detailed work inside, like the plaster, decorations, and windows, was completed after World War I. In 1926, Pope Pius XI gave the church the special title of "minor basilica," making it the first one in the country.

The building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It is considered important for its beautiful architecture, its role in Minnesota's religious history, and for being the first basilica in the U.S.

Repairs and Restoration

Over the years, the building needed repairs. In 1991, a new copper roof was installed to stop leaks that were causing damage. In 2011, the basilica won a $100,000 grant in a public vote. This money was used to fix parts of the entrance and to restore the beautiful paint and gold leaf inside.

In 2020, the church had minor fire damage during a time of public unrest in the city. Two pews were burned, but the damage was quickly repaired.

Architecture and Design

The basilica is a stunning example of classical architecture. The foundation is made of strong Rockville granite, and the walls are built from white Vermont granite.

Exterior: The main entrance has a large porch with tall columns, called a portico. On each side, there are two towers that are 116 feet (35 m) high.
Interior: Inside, the main hall, or nave, has a high, curved ceiling that is 82 feet (25 m) tall. This is even taller than the ceiling at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
The Dome: Above the main altar, a huge dome rises 138 feet (42 m) from the floor. On top of the dome is a lantern and a bronze cross, making the total height 200 feet (61 m).
The Altar: The marble altar sits under a grand canopy called a baldacchino, which is held up by marble columns.

Music at the Basilica

Music is a very important part of the Basilica of Saint Mary. The church is known for its excellent choirs and organ.

Choirs and Musicians

The Basilica Cathedral Choir is a large volunteer choir that sings at Sunday services. They perform a wide variety of music from different time periods. A smaller, professional choir called the Schola Cantorum sings for special services.

The basilica also has an artist-in-residence program. This means it hosts talented musicians and groups, such as:

The Basilica Brass Ensemble
The Minnesota Sinfonia
The Rose Ensemble

The Grand Organ

The basilica's pipe organ was installed in 1949. It was renovated in 2008 and now has 82 sets of pipes, called ranks, played from a console with four keyboards. One of its most powerful stops is the Herald Trumpet, which is known for its commanding sound.

Basilica Block Party

Since 1995, the basilica has hosted the annual Basilica Block Party. This popular summer music festival features many well-known bands and artists. The event helps raise money to preserve and restore the historic basilica building.