About Saint Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix:
The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Phoenix was built from 1902 to 1914. Architecturally, it is a combination of the Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. Saint Mary’s was the only parish in Phoenix until 1924 and is home to Arizona’s largest stained glass windows collection and a 26-rank pipe organ built by the Schantz Organ Company.
Since it was staffed by Franciscans, and you will find windows depicting the images of popular saints of the Franciscan Order and of the heritage of the cultures represented in the community at the time: German, Spanish, and Irish. You can see the German influence in the two bell towers with onion shaped domes, which were typical of the churches of Bavaria and Austria, from which Novatus Benzing, the pastor at the time, and Leonard Darscheid, the architectural consultant, both originated.
The towers house four bells which ring daily
John Paul II bestowed the title of minor basilica on the church in 1985.
The church has a gift shop, called Via Assisi with quality items and also featuring “one of a kind” gems that are created by Artists who reside and create in Arizona.
Finding Saint Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix, Arizona:
Address: 231 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, Arizona
Click here for the official website of Saint Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix, Arizona.
