Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

History & Significance

Basilica · Est. Cornerstone laid 1929; church dedicated 1931

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower in San Antonio, Texas, was built by Spanish Discalced Carmelite friars who had come to San Antonio in 1926 after fleeing religious persecution in Mexico. Its cornerstone was laid in 1929 and the church was dedicated in 1931, during the Great Depression, as the first U.S. national shrine to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the "Little Flower." Located in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and elevated to minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1998. It remains under the care of the Discalced Carmelites.

Romanesque Revival

• •Built by Spanish Discalced Carmelite friars who arrived in San Antonio in 1926
• •Cornerstone laid 1929; dedicated 1931 as the first U.S. national shrine to St. Thérèse of Lisieux
• •Elevated to minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1998
• •Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998
• •Located in the Archdiocese of San Antonio; still served by the Discalced Carmelites