About Basilica of Saint Mary · Alexandria, Virginia
The Basilica of Saint Mary is a Catholic minor basilica and the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia, located at 310 South Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria. Founded on April 10, 1795 by Fr. Francis Ignatius Neale, S.J., it serves a parish of more than 8,900 registered families within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington. On December 6, 2017, Pope Francis designated the parish church a minor basilica, and it was formally inaugurated on September 8, 2018. The basilica is renowned for its historic Neo-Gothic limestone structure, its eight solid mahogany doors, its venerated 19th-century image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and a flourishing liturgical music program.
- Established
- 1795
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Very Rev. Edward C. Hathaway (Rector since 2015)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
The Basilica of Saint Mary offers a rare combination of deep historical roots and active parish life: it is the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia (founded 1795) with George Washington among its earliest donors, and its liturgical calendar is anchored by a daily Mass schedule, multiple daily confession opportunities, perpetual-style Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, the annual Forty Hours Devotion on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and a professional eight-voice choir that produces an annual Lessons and Carols and a recorded album each year. The parish runs a thriving PreK–8 school (St. Mary School, founded 1869, ~717 students), a robust K–8 CCD/religious education program, an RCIA led by Dominican seminarians, a Knights of Columbus council, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Saint Katharine Drexel Society (founded 2020), active service to Christ House and Carpenter's Shelter, a youth and young adult ministry, and a children's choir school. For anyone seeking a historically significant yet vibrantly engaged Catholic community in Old Town Alexandria, Saint Mary's combines the gravitas of a minor basilica with the warmth of a working parish of more than 8,900 families.
Mass times at Basilica of Saint Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: After the 12:10 PM Mass
- Wednesday: 7:00 – 8:00 PM (during Holy Hour)
- Saturday: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
- Saturday: 4:00 – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday evening Holy Half Hour & Benediction: 7:30 – 8:00 PM
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday: 7:00 – 8:00 AM (following 6:30 AM Mass)
- Wednesday: 12:45 PM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday Holy Half Hour & Benediction: 7:30 – 8:00 PM
- First Friday Nocturnal Adoration: 9:00 PM Friday – 8:20 AM Saturday
- First Saturdays: 8:00 AM (Communal First Saturdays)
Welcome & Parish Overview
The Basilica of Saint Mary is the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia and one of only a handful of Catholic minor basilicas in the United States. With more than 8,900 registered families, the parish offers daily Mass, extensive confession opportunities, perpetual-style Eucharistic Adoration, a PreK–8 school, religious education for all ages, and dozens of ministries that serve Old Town Alexandria and the wider Northern Virginia community. Its identity is rooted both in its 1795 founding — when George Washington contributed to its construction — and in the contemporary rhythms of a large, active parish led by Very Rev. Edward C. Hathaway as Rector.
History of the Parish
Catholic worship was illegal in colonial Virginia, but the 1781 Yorktown victory allowed a priest serving Rochambeau to offer the first Mass in Alexandria, and Jefferson's 1785 Act for Establishing Religious Freedom finally opened public worship. The parish traces its formal beginning to April 10, 1795, when Fr. John Thayer forwarded the Catholics' petition to Bishop John Carroll, who appointed Fr. Francis Ignatius Neale, S.J. as founding pastor. A 1788 St. Patrick's Day dinner hosted by Colonel John Fitzgerald — George Washington's former aide-de-camp — raised the seed money, with Washington making the first contribution. The first chapel was built near what is now St. Mary's Cemetery; its bricks later built the Alexandria Lyceum. In 1826, Fr. Joseph Fairclough laid the cornerstone of the present building on South Royal Street, dedicated in 1827. Subsequent pastors and architects — Fr. Blox, S.J., Fr. O'Kane, S.J., Philip Dwyer, Fr. Cutler — produced the current Gothic Revival façade and twin towers. The parish endured the 1929 lightning fire, mid-century restoration, the 2011 earthquake damage, and on December 6, 2017 was designated a minor basilica by Pope Francis.
Architecture, Art & Sanctuary Statues
The basilica is a Gothic Revival structure of Illinois limestone, with a 140-foot South Belfry Tower (1895, architect Philip N. Dwyer) and a 70-foot North Tower (1896). Eight hand-carved solid mahogany doors from Honduras (1895) form the main entries. Inside, the marble altar and tabernacle were consecrated in 1856 by Archbishop Kendrick of Baltimore. The sanctuary features Italian white marble statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the oldest continuously venerated Marian image in the Diocese of Arlington, depicted as the Immaculate Conception stepping on a serpent) and Saint Joseph, an Italian Carrara marble Sacred Heart statue, a commissioned Italian statue of Saint Thomas More (patron of the Diocese of Arlington, dedicated July 22, 2014), and an authorized shrine reproduction of the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe blessed by Pope St. John Paul II.
- Style: Gothic Revival / Neo-Gothic
- Façade and towers: Illinois limestone (same source believed used at Georgetown University)
- South Belfry Tower: 140 feet (1895, Philip N. Dwyer)
- North Tower: 70 feet (1896)
- Eight solid mahogany doors (1895, Honduras mahogany)
- Marble altar & tabernacle consecrated 1856 by Archbishop Francis Patrick Kendrick
Staff & Parish Office
The parish office at 313 Duke Street is staffed Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and supports a wide team of lay and ordained leaders. Key staff include a Director of Ministries to Youth, Young Adults and Young Families (Mariane Staron), Director of Religious Education (Susan Gray Sheehan), Sacramental Coordinator (Jackie Riordan), Director of Music (David Elliott), Director of Communications and Evangelization (Carlos Briceño), Director of Finance, Director of Facilities, Chief Stewardship Officer (Anne Mathis), Bookkeeper (Emily Liutkus), Bulletin Editor (Diane Maple), Archival Manager (Virginia Nyce), and St. Mary's Cemetery Director.
- Mariane Staron — Director of Ministries to Youth, Young Adults and Young Families
- Susan Gray Sheehan — Director of Religious Education
- Jackie Riordan — Sacramental Coordinator
- David Elliott — Director of Music
- Carlos Briceño — Director of Communications and Evangelization
- Anne Mathis — Chief Stewardship Officer
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a robust K–8 CCD program that typically prepares more than 100 students for First Communion and about 100 for Confirmation each year, with catechists certified through the Diocese of Arlington (several holding or pursuing master catechist credentials). The RCIA program is taught by priests and Dominican seminarians and supported by a team of more than ten adult volunteers who lead hospitality and discussion with inquirers, catechumens, and candidates. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin and hosts ongoing formation events throughout the year.
- K–8 CCD / Religious Education
- First Communion preparation (~100 students annually)
- Confirmation preparation (~100 students annually)
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — taught by priests and Dominican seminarians
St. Mary School
Founded in 1869, St. Mary School is the parish's PreK–8 elementary school located at 400 Green Street. It serves about 717 students with an Extended Day Care program and a Resource Program, and is led by Principal Robert Loia. The school is a focal point of parish family life and shares the basilica's commitment to academic excellence and Catholic identity.
- Founded: 1869
- Address: 400 Green Street, Alexandria, VA
- Phone: (703) 549-1646
- Grades: PreK–8
- Extended Day Care & Resource Program
- Enrollment: ~717 students
- Principal: Robert Loia
Liturgy & Music
The basilica's liturgical life is anchored by frequent opportunities for adoration, confession, and devotional prayer. Its music program under Director of Music David Elliott features a professional eight-voice choir that sings throughout the year, an annual Lessons and Carols on the third Sunday of December, and a recorded album released each fall on a sacred theme (the inaugural album was on the theme of the Eucharist). The parish also hosts a children's choir school for ages 8–12 (St. Gregory Children's Choir School) and provides extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, altar servers, and a sacristan team.
- Professional eight-voice choir
- Annual Lessons and Carols (third Sunday of December)
- St. Gregory Children's Choir School (ages 8–12)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Annual Choir Album release
Outreach, Charity & Social Ministries
Outreach is central to parish identity. The parish runs a St. Vincent de Paul conference, a Knights of Columbus council, the Saint Katharine Drexel Society (founded 2020 to pray for healing from racism and for the dignity of human life, gathering during the Wednesday evening Holy Hour), and the Institute for Faith and Public Culture. Parishioners regularly volunteer at Christ House (food pantry, Thrift Shop, evening meals) — for which the parish received the Bishop Paul Loverde Award in 2017 — and at Carpenter's Shelter, where they prepare and serve dinner once a month and stock the food pantry.
- St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Conference
- Knights of Columbus Council
- Saint Katharine Drexel Society (founded 2020)
- Institute for Faith and Public Culture
- Christ House — weekly food pantry and Thrift Shop; 2017 Bishop Paul Loverde Award
- Carpenter's Shelter — monthly dinner and food collection
Sacraments
The Basilica of Saint Mary celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Marriages, and Anointing of the Sick are scheduled through the parish office (313 Duke Street), with dedicated sacramental preparation programs. Reconciliation is offered daily with multiple sessions per week; marriage preparation requires advance coordination with the parish clergy; funerals and Catholic burial are also ministered through the parish's St. Mary's Cemetery.
- Baptism
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession) — daily
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders / Vocations support
- Funerals and burial at St. Mary's Cemetery
Devotions, Feasts & Liturgical Year
The parish's patronal feast is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, marked annually by the Forty Hours Devotion (December 6–8) with continuous Holy Hours before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Other devotions include the Angelus/Regina Caeli at noon daily, a December 12 celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph (March 19) and the Annunciation (March 25), Christmas with Vigil Masses and procession of the Christ Child figure, and Divine Mercy Sunday with Solemn Exposition and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 PM.
- Forty Hours Devotion — December 6–8 (parish patronal feast)
- Angelus / Regina Caeli — daily at noon
- Our Lady of Guadalupe / St. Juan Diego — December 12
- Solemnity of St. Joseph — March 19
- Solemnity of the Annunciation — March 25
- Divine Mercy Sunday — 3:00 PM Solemn Exposition
- Christmas Vigil Masses with procession of the Christ Child figure
Visiting, Tours & Museum
Pilgrims and visitors are welcome at the basilica year-round. The parish publishes a free Virtual Tour and Audio Tour on its website that walks through the architecture, the eight mahogany doors, the sanctuary statues, the stained glass, and the venerated image of Our Lady. The Basilica of Saint Mary Museum (museum.stmaryoldtown.org) preserves and shares the parish's 230-year history, including exhibits on construction and renovation, the founding dinner at Fitzgerald's house, and the lives of the early pastors. The church sits within the Alexandria Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District since 1966, and is steps away from other historic Old Town Alexandria sites.
- Free Virtual Tour & Audio Tour at stmaryoldtown.org/virtual-tour
- Basilica of Saint Mary Museum — museum.stmaryoldtown.org
- Located within the Alexandria Historic District (NHL District since 1966)
St. Mary's Cemetery
St. Mary's Cemetery, on the site of the original 1795 chapel, is the first Catholic cemetery in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The cemetery is ministered by the parish and remains an active sacred space adjacent to the parish school and grounds.
- First Catholic cemetery in Virginia
- Located on the site of the original 1795 chapel
- Director of St. Mary's Cemetery listed among parish staff
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Francis Ignatius Neale, S.J.1795–c.1798
Founding pastor; also served as President of Georgetown College.
- Reverend Joseph W. Fairclough1810–c.1830s
English missionary; arranged purchase of Chapel Alley Meeting House; laid the cornerstone of the present church on July 19, 1826.
- Reverend John E. Blox, S.J.1856–c.1857
Expanded the church with new marble altar, tabernacle, organ, stained glass, bell, and a 133-foot belfry (then the highest in Alexandria).
- Reverend Peter Kroes, S.J.1857–1872
Added St. Joseph's Chapel (later converted to sacristy and confessionals).
- Reverend Dennis J. O'Kane, S.J.1872–1891
Worked with architect Philip Dwyer on interior and façade improvements.
- Reverend Henry J. Cutler1891–1915
Rebuilt church with the present 140-foot South Belfry; expanded seating capacity.
- Reverend William A. McKeefryc.1920s–c.1929
Died shortly after the 1929 fire while actively overseeing restoration.
- Right Rev. Monsignor Thomas A. Rankin, V.G.1930–1942
Completed fire repairs; added ambulatory and sacristy; purchased 314 Duke Street.
- Right Rev. Monsignor Edward L. Stephens, V.F.1942–c.1950s
Re-consecrated the church in 1948; led Sesquicentennial improvements (1945).
- Reverend Monsignor Stanley J. Krempac.1980s–c.1990s
Led the extensive renovation for the 1995 Bicentennial.
- Reverend Father Dennis W. Kleinmannc.2000s–c.2014
Led 2010 Sanctuary and Nave renovation; oversaw restoration after 2011 earthquake damage.
- Very Rev. Edward C. Hathaway2015–present
Current Rector; shepherded the designation as a minor basilica in 2018.