The History of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria, Virginia:
Founded in 1795, the Church of St. Mary is the first Catholic parish in the Commonwealth of Virginia (they were split up into two states in 1863: the State of Virginia and the State of West Virginia). In the early days Catholics were discriminated against and worship was difficult until, in 1786, Thomas Jefferson “Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom” was passed in 1786. This disestablished the Church of England as the official religion and opened up opportunities for Catholics (and others as well) to worship openly.
A chapel was built at the south end of Alexandria in 1795, and then, in 1810 the parish moved to its current location.
Traveling to the Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria, Virginia:
Address: 310 South Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: +1 703-836-4100 Fax: +1 703-549-3605
email: use contact form on their website
Click here for the official website of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria, Virginia
