Basilica of St. John (Des Moines, Iowa) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Basilica of St. John
The Basilica of St. John in 2022
Location	1915 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
Country	United States
Denomination	Catholic Church
History
Status	Basilica/Parish
Founded	1905
Dedication	St. John the Evangelist
Dedicated	December 4, 1927
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Maginnis & Walsh
Style	Romanesque Revival
Groundbreaking	1913
Completed	1927
Specifications
Capacity	900
Length	138 feet (42 m)
Width	80 feet (24 m)
Number of spires	One
Spire height	115 feet (35 m)
Materials	Indiana limestone
Administration
Diocese	Des Moines

The Basilica of St. John is a special Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa. It is located in the Drake neighborhood. This church is known as a Minor Basilica, a special title given by the Pope. It also serves as a regular parish church for the local community. The building itself is very important and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

History of the Basilica
- Building the Main Church
- Later Changes and Recognition
Architecture of the Basilica
- Inside the Church
Pipe Organ
Charity Work
Images for kids
See also

History of the Basilica

The school was the first building for the parish.

The St. John's Parish was started in 1905 by Bishop Henry Cosgrove. Land was bought on University Avenue for the new church. The first building they constructed was a school. A small chapel on the second floor of the school served as the church. The first Mass was held there on Christmas Day in 1905.

From 1907 to 1918, the school taught both elementary and high school students. The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary were the teachers. The high school program ended when new Catholic high schools opened in the city. In 1911, the parish became part of the new Diocese of Des Moines. A brick rectory (a house for priests) was built around 1912.

Building the Main Church

In 1913, the basement of the current church was finished. The parish used this basement as their church for many years. The original plans for the church were made by a local firm, but they were not fully built.

The architects for the main church building were Maginnis & Walsh from Boston. They also designed the famous Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The local priest, Father Martin S. McNamara, helped choose the design. He wanted it to look like St. Catherine's Church in Massachusetts and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.

The cornerstone of the church.

The cornerstone for the church was placed on September 19, 1926. The church was originally planned to be made of brick because limestone was expensive. However, Father McNamara insisted on limestone and managed to raise the money. The church cost $480,000 to build.

Bishop Thomas William Drumm dedicated the finished church on December 4, 1927. Many other bishops and priests attended the special event. The beautiful baldachin (a canopy over the altar) and the high altar were added in 1929.

Later Changes and Recognition

The church's stained glass windows were installed between 1947 and 1953. Their installation was delayed due to the Great Depression and World War II. Conrad Pickel Studio designed the 10 large windows and 36 smaller windows.

In 1964, a temporary altar was set up so the priest could face the people during Mass. St. John's was also where the first Mass in English was celebrated in Des Moines. A new altar was blessed in 1983. That same year, an addition was built to connect the church to the rectory. This addition also created a special entrance for people with disabilities.

The church was recognized as a historic place on September 8, 1987. This means it is important for its history and architecture. On October 4, 1989, Pope John Paul II gave St. John's Church the special title of a Minor Basilica. A dedication ceremony for this new title was held on December 31, 1989.

Architecture of the Basilica

The Basilica of St. John is designed in the Romanesque Revival style. This style is inspired by old Roman buildings and churches in Northern Italy. The church is built from Indiana limestone, which gives it a grand look. The stone is laid in a special pattern on the outside.

The church is about 138 feet (42 m) long and 80 feet (24 m) wide. It has a tall bell tower, called a campanile, on the back-west side. This tower is 115 feet (35 m) high and holds a large bell. Above the main entrance, there is a beautiful sculpture of Christ and angels. The building has a red tile roof, and the tower is topped with a bronze cross.

Inside the Church

The inside of the basilica is decorated with plaster and travertine marble. The ceiling is a barrel vault (curved like a barrel) and has carved sections called coffered ceiling. It is covered in gold leaf and rises 50 feet (15 m) above the floor. The main area where people sit, called the nave, has side aisles.

A Des Moines artist named Dominic Damiani painted a mural of Christ the King in the curved area behind the altar, called the apse. This mural also shows symbols of the Four Evangelists. The columns of the baldachin are made of Bescia marble, and the high altar is made of Botticino marble.

The upper windows, called clerestory windows, show images of the sacraments and the cardinal virtues of the church. Below these windows, there are quotes from the Bible and from the prayer Hail Mary. There are also marble disks that represent the church's worldwide reach. The church can seat up to 900 people.

Pipe Organ

The basilica has a large pipe organ built in 1963 by Casavant Frères. The organ is located at the back of the church. Some of its pipes are visible and frame a beautiful rose window. This organ has many different sounds and features, making it a very impressive instrument for church music.

Charity Work

In 1992, the Basilica of St. John joined with seven other churches in Des Moines. Together, they created the Churches United Shelter. This shelter, now called the Central Iowa Shelter, helps people who are experiencing homelessness in the area.