Basilica of Saint Mary

Primary Source Set
by Abigail Raper, Intern, Minnesota Digital Library

Architecture Religion

Basilicas, originally a public building for markets, courthouses, and meeting halls, transformed into a church linked to a significant person or event by the 4th century. In general, basilicas are grand, rectangular structures with long halls, side aisles, and a raised platform at one or both ends. In later years, an additional aisle was added to evoke a cross. Basilicas typically have a plain exterior paired with a decorative interior. In 1926, the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis became the first basilica in America, and has remained a prominent cultural and architectural presence.

Sister to the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the Basilica of St. Mary’s originally was called the Pro-Cathedral of Minneapolis. Catholicism came to Minnesota in the late 1600’s, as French missionaries and explorers brought it to the region. The practice of Catholicism in Minnesota grew with the influx of immigrants in the 1850s, resulting in a need for bigger churches. Archbishop John Ireland was key to getting some of these churches built. He moved to America at age eleven and began studying for priesthood by age fifteen. He became the first archbishop of Saint Paul in 1888. Ireland’s vision for a wide worship space and influence led to commissioning the Twin Cities’ two major Catholic churches. Final costs were estimated to have been between 700,000 to one million dollars.

Construction on the basilica began in 1907. Both the cathedral in Saint Paul and the basilica in Minneapolis were designed and led by French architect, Emmanuel Louis Masqueray. Inspired by Renaissance and Baroque-style, he laid out a modified Greek cross for the floor plan of Saint Paul's church and a Roman cross for the Minneapolis structure. Materials such as steel and concrete, copper, marble, and stained glass were used in the construction. Despite the basilica’s first mass held in 1914, the interior would not be completed until after World War I—after the deaths of Ireland and Masqueray. During both World Wars, it supported the war effort through housing the Red Cross and women volunteers making clothes.

Although declared sacred by the National Eucharistic Congress in 1941 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, neglected maintenance led to a temporary closure in the early 1990s due to moisture damage. A block party was held in 1994, which become tradition since to raise money to fund restorations, helping encourage regular repairs. Another challenge occurred when Interstate 94 was constructed adjacent to the basilica in the 1960s. The freeway’s presence improved access but disrupted nearby residential neighborhoods while increasing noise and pollution, causing a decline in church membership. By 2000 however, membership had expanded and community engagement increased.

The basilica has been a feature of downtown Minneapolis landscape for nearly 100 years. It is one of Minnesota’s most architecturally significant churches and has added to the cultural heritage of the Twin Cities.