Saint Mary's Basilica in Phoenix, Arizona

A short walk from Phoenix's
Historic Heritage Square is
Saint Mary's Basilica,

Its official name is The Church
of the Immaculate Conception
of the Virgin Mary.




Saint Mary's is the oldest Catholic parish in Phoenix, with services being held in a private home from 1872 to the construction of the adobe Church in 1880.  The first Church was replaced in phases, due to financial constraints.  The "basement Church" was dedicated in 1903.  Construction of the Mission Revival Style Church began in 1913 and dedicated in 1915.

Standing in the Narthex, I

admire the stained glass

above the door to the Nave.

Eric and I are happy that the Basilica is open to visitors.  

The Holy Water Font sits
in the middle of the
approach to the
aisle.

The interior design of the

Church is Romanesque.

Stations of the Cross line

the sides of the Nave.

The Confessional, where Priests
hear congregants' confessions,
give absolution & assign prayers
as penance. 

A statue of the Virgin Mary is

in one of several devotional

areas along the sides

 of the Nave.

Statues are displayed
between stained glass
windows.

A portrait of the Virgin
Mary is on the far
left.

Windows feature Mary,

Jesus & the Saints.

The Pulpit, on the left, &
the Altar.







St. Mary's Church was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1978.

Looking back toward the

Narthex.

On September 2, 1985 Pope John Paul II proclaimed Saint Mary's to be a Minor Basilica.

Pope John Paul II knelt
in prayer at this spot on
September 14, 1987
during a visit.

The window in the Narthex

shows Mary's adoration in

heaven.

Saint Mary's Basilica is a beautiful historic site.