St. Mary's Basilica (Phoenix)

Coordinates: 33°27′03″N 112°04′10″W / 33.4507°N 112.0694°W / 33.4507; -112.0694
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St. Mary's Basilica, Phoenix
)

St. Mary's Basilica
Style
Mission Revival/Spanish Colonial Revival
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Phoenix
St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's Basilica (Phoenix) is located in Arizona
St. Mary's Basilica (Phoenix)
Location231 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, Arizona
Coordinates33°27′03″N 112°04′10″W / 33.4507°N 112.0694°W / 33.4507; -112.0694
Area0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built1902–1914
NRHP reference No.78000551[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 29, 1978

St. Mary's Basilica – officially The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – is a church of the

minor basilica by Pope John Paul II
in 1985.

The oldest

Schantz Organ Company
.

Architecture

The church's structure supports four domes spanning the length of the basilica. All the domes are compound design with the pendentives, following

Roman architecture, 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. The two bell towers are topped with onion shaped domes, typical of the churches of Bavaria and Austria, where Novatus Benzing, the pastor at the time, and Leonard Darscheid, the architectural consultant, both originated. The towers house four bells which ring daily. The large upper windows depict scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, while the lower nave and transept windows depict images of popular saints of the Franciscan Order and of the heritage of the cultures represented in the community at the time (German, Spanish, Irish).[citation needed
]

According to its National Register nomination, "All stained glass was done by Emil Frei Art Glass Company of St. Louis. The Stations of the Cross, cast in high relief on gold background, were made by Andrew Kaletta Company of St. Louis. The woodwork and pews, all of oak, were made by Theodore Kuntz of Cleveland."[2]

The design for the church was developed while it was under direction of the Franciscan Fathers of the Sacred Heart Province of St. Louis, Missouri.[2] One source describes its architecture as Mission Revival with some Romanesque features;[2] that source and another indicate that plans for the church evolved from Gothic Revival sketches by pastor Novatus Benzing.[3] Upon request for consulting, Franciscan Father Leonard Darscheid of St. Louis "added a number of features, including the design for the baptismal font, to what at that point was a gothic plan".[2] In its detail it was designed by parishioner and architect George Gallagher (architect) and design was completed by Gallagher's partner R. A. Gray (architect). It was built, at least partially (including its basement), by contractor W. J. Ripley.[3][2]

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, deemed significant for its architecture, as "St. Mary's Church".[2] The building was deemed architecturally significant "as the largest, earliest, and most impressive Mission Revival structure in Arizona."[2]

Basilica

Copper Square.[clarification needed
]

Clergy and staff

Until 2023, the basilica was staffed by the

Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Barbara, whose coat of arms and various symbolism can be found displayed prominently throughout the building. On September 13, 2022, the Franciscans announced they would be withdrawing from the basilica, due to falling numbers of clergy and a national change in governance structure. On July 1, 2023, the Diocese of Phoenix officially took over leadership of St. Mary's from the Franciscans when the Franciscans presented and handed over the keys of the basilica to Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix.[4]

On October 15, 2023, Fr. John Muir of the Diocese of Phoenix was officially installed as rector of St. Mary's Basilica by Bishop Dolan.[5] Fr. Muir also serves as the Moderator of the Curia and Vicar General of the Diocese of Phoenix.

Due to the centrality of its location and its historical importance, many of the important liturgical events of the

Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude
, with the bishop of Phoenix as the principal celebrant.

Gallery

  • Interior of St. Mary's Basilica
    Interior of St. Mary's Basilica
  • Bishop Thomas Olmsted celebrating Mass in the Basilica
    Bishop Thomas Olmsted celebrating Mass in the Basilica
  • Celebrations for the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe outside the Basilica on December 12
    Celebrations for the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe outside the Basilica on December 12
  • Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Mary's Basilica
    Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Mary's Basilica
  • Palm Sunday Mass taking place outside Saint Mary's Basilica
    Palm Sunday Mass taking place outside Saint Mary's Basilica
  • Holy Week/Semana Santa services at the Basilica
    Holy Week/Semana Santa services at the Basilica
  • Pipes inside the Basilica Organ
    Pipes inside the Basilica Organ
  • Latin inscription on the bell dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    Latin inscription on the bell dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Pope John Paul II visiting St. Mary's Basilica in 1987
    Pope John Paul II visiting St. Mary's Basilica in 1987
  • The Basilica Rose Window
    The Basilica Rose Window
  • Pipe Organ, Choir and Rose Window
    Pipe Organ, Choir and Rose Window
  • Stained glass

See also

  • Basilicas in the United States
  • List of historic properties in Phoenix, Arizona

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Marjorie H. Wilson (April 17, 1978). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: St. Mary's Church". National Park Service. Retrieved March 26, 2023. With accompanying 14 photos from 1977
  3. ^
    SAH Archipedia
    . Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Sun, The Catholic (July 2, 2023). "Diocese of Phoenix assumes leadership of St. Mary's Basilica in transition ceremony". The Catholic Sun. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Service, Catholic News (October 17, 2023). "NEWS BRIEF: Fr. John Muir installed as pastor of St. Mary's Basilica". The Catholic Sun. Retrieved October 19, 2023.

External links