Saint Mary's Basilica
Encyclopedia
Saint Mary's Basilica, officially named The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
, was founded in 1881 and staffed by the Franciscan Friars
since 1895.
The church was completed in 1914, dedicated in 1915, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as St. Mary's Church in 1978. The oldest Roman Catholic parish in the greater Phoenix, Arizona
, area, it was the only Roman Catholic parish in Phoenix until 1924 and is home to Arizona's largest stained glass windows
collection.
, transferring the weight of the roof to the pillars. The dome over the intercept point of the crossover, the nave center aisle and the apse
, is topped with stained glass and features a lantern above the dome to emit light into the nave and sanctuary. The dome located over the altar is topped with a cupola
designed to provide light to the altar.
's visit to Phoenix in 1987, the Holy Father elevated St. Mary's to a minor basilica
. St. Mary's became the 32nd basilica in the United States and remains the only basilica in Arizona. The church, a Phoenix Points of Pride
, is located at the northeast corner of North 3rd Street and Monroe in downtown Phoenix, a carillon of the burgeoning Copper Square
. Mass is celebrated every day of the week.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
-History:The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It was established on December 2, 1969 when it was split off of the Diocese of Tucson...
, was founded in 1881 and staffed by the Franciscan Friars
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
since 1895.
The church was completed in 1914, dedicated in 1915, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as St. Mary's Church in 1978. The oldest Roman Catholic parish in the greater Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, area, it was the only Roman Catholic parish in Phoenix until 1924 and is home to Arizona's largest stained glass windows
Stained Glass Windows
Stained Glass Windows was an early broadcast television program, broadcast on early Sunday evenings on the ABC network. The program was a religious broadcast, hosted by the Reverend Everett Parker....
collection.
Architecture
The church's Mission Revival—Spanish Colonial Revival structure supports four domes spanning the length of the Basilica. All the domes are compound design with the pendentives, following Roman architectureRoman architecture
Ancient Roman architecture adopted certain aspects of Ancient Greek architecture, creating a new architectural style. The Romans were indebted to their Etruscan neighbors and forefathers who supplied them with a wealth of knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics...
, transferring the weight of the roof to the pillars. The dome over the intercept point of the crossover, the nave center aisle and the apse
Apse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
, is topped with stained glass and features a lantern above the dome to emit light into the nave and sanctuary. The dome located over the altar is topped with a cupola
Cupola
In architecture, a cupola is a small, most-often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome....
designed to provide light to the altar.
Basilica
Prior to Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
's visit to Phoenix in 1987, the Holy Father elevated St. Mary's to a minor basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
. St. Mary's became the 32nd basilica in the United States and remains the only basilica in Arizona. The church, a Phoenix Points of Pride
Phoenix Points of Pride
The Phoenix Points of Pride are 33 landmarks and attractions within the Phoenix, Arizona, city limits that are claimed to represent the best features of the city for both residents and visitors...
, is located at the northeast corner of North 3rd Street and Monroe in downtown Phoenix, a carillon of the burgeoning Copper Square
Copper Square
Copper Square, the 90-block core of downtown Phoenix, is the business, cultural and governmental heart of the city. It comprises the original Phoenix historic town site. Copper Square’s boundaries extend from Fillmore to south of Jackson Street, 7th Street to 3rd Avenue...
. Mass is celebrated every day of the week.