About Shrine of St. Mary · Wilmington, North Carolina
The Basilica Shrine of St. Mary is a Catholic minor basilica located at 412 Ann Street in historic downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, in the Diocese of Raleigh. Its striking Spanish Baroque–style church, designed by the Spanish-born architect Rafael Guastavino and completed in 1912, is celebrated for its tile-vault construction and is a contributing property of the Wilmington Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The parish traces its origins to Bishop John England's pastoral visits in the early 1800s and was formally founded in 1845; today it operates as a multicultural parish anchored by the Eucharist, Catholic education (PreK–8 at St. Mary Catholic School and the forthcoming Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School), Hispanic ministry, outreach through the Sister Isaac Center, and devotion to Mary, mother of Jesus, under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
- Established
- 1845
- Patron
- Mary, mother of Jesus (Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jairo Alberto Maldonado-Pacheco
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
The Basilica Shrine of St. Mary offers the rare combination of a world-renowned piece of architecture and a living, multicultural Catholic community. Parishioners are drawn by a richly built devotional life — Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses in both English and Spanish (including a traditional incensed 11:00 a.m. Solemn Mass and an incense Spanish Mass at 1:00 p.m.), weekday Masses six days a week, Holy Hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, First Friday devotion, Saturday morning Rosary, and a devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal that gives the shrine its name. Beyond liturgy, the parish runs a PreK–8 Catholic school and is co-developing Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School, a Hispanic Ministry and faith formation program, the Sister Isaac Center for outreach, and a Youth Ministry—making it a natural spiritual home for families, Spanish-speaking Catholics, and visitors interested in historic worship on the Cape Fear coast.
Mass times at Shrine of St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 30 minutes after weekday Mass
- Wednesday: 6:30 PM (before the 7:00 PM Spanish Mass)
- Saturday: 4:00–5:00 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: Holy Hour after the 8:30 AM Mass
- Thursday: 7:00 PM Holy Hour
- First Friday: Holy Hour after the 8:30 AM Mass
Parish Overview
The Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary is the spiritual heart of a vibrant, multicultural Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Raleigh. The parish explicitly centers its identity on the Eucharist, mission to the poor, Catholic education, human rights, welcome to immigrants, and a multicultural community serving the Cape Fear coast of North Carolina. The parish complex is anchored by the historic basilica (412 Ann Street), St. Mary Catholic School (PreK3–8) on the same grounds, the Sister Isaac Center (outreach), and the Hispanic Ministry offices.
- Active Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Raleigh
- Operates St. Mary Catholic School and co-develops Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School
- Multicultural community with full English and Spanish liturgy each weekend
- Home to the Sister Isaac Center for outreach and the Hispanic Ministry office
History of the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary
Catholic life in Wilmington traces back to Bishop John England's nineteenth-century pastoral visits; the parish was formally founded in 1845 by Bishop Reynolds, with Father Thomas Murphy as its first full-time priest. After James Gibbons established the parish as a Pro-Cathedral and the Sisters of Mercy arrived in 1869, the downtown congregation outgrew its Gothic Revival home, and Monsignor Christopher Dennen's vision for a new church led to the construction of the present Spanish Baroque basilica (1908–1912), designed by the Guastavinos and dedicated on April 12, 1912. Renamed Saint Mary Church in 1924 when the Diocese of Raleigh was created, the parish and its school weathered the twentieth century, including a major 1988 renovation under Father Thomas Hadden.
- 1845: Parish founded; Father Thomas Murphy appointed first full-time priest
- 1869: Sisters of Mercy arrive; Academy of the Incarnation founded at Gibbons's request
- 1908: Cornerstone laid by Abbot Leo Michael Haid
- 1911: First Mass on December 17, 1911
- 1912: Dedicated as Saint Mary Pro-Cathedral by Cardinal Gibbons
- 1924: Becomes Saint Mary Church with the creation of the Diocese of Raleigh
- 1950s: Side entrances added; Last Supper stained glass installed
- 1988: Major interior renovation under Father Thomas Hadden and Gerald Allen & Associates
- 1994: AIA Religious Art and Architecture award
Architecture and Architectural Significance
The Spanish Baroque church is one of the signature works of the Guastavino firm. Its Greek-cross plan, central dome with copper finish, twin cupola-topped towers, and barrel-vaulted transepts and sanctuary are carried entirely in the Guastavino 'Tile Arch System' of brick and tile bonded by mortar. The firm also designed the altars, terra-cotta frieze of the apostles, and other furnishings; Reverend Patrick Marion supervised construction. The interior's traditional hard terra-cotta tiles create outstanding acoustics, and the building has been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places (1974) and the American Institute of Architects (1994).
- Spanish Baroque style, Greek-cross plan
- Designed by Rafael Guastavino y Moreno (1842–1908) and Rafael Guastavino y Exposito (1872–1950)
- Constructed without nails, wood, or steel beams
- Rusticated granite base; copper-finished dome and barrel vaults
- Last Supper stained glass window installed in the 1950s
- Marble floors, slate aisles, refinished pews, chandeliers installed in the 1988 renovation
Basilica and Shrine Designation
In 2005 the church was designated a diocesan shrine of the Diocese of Raleigh. In 2013 Pope Francis elevated it to the status of minor basilica, and the parish took on the dual title by which it is now known: the Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary.
- Diocesan shrine: 2005
- Minor basilica: 2013 (by papal decree of Pope Francis)
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor & Rector Very Rev. Jairo Alberto Maldonado-Pacheco and is served by Parochial Vicars Rev. Drew Eliot Navarro and Rev. Cong Viet Le, plus Deacon John Walsh (Director of Religious Education). Lay staff include Alex Hill (Director of Music and Liturgy), Norma Rivera (Director of Hispanic Ministries), Theresa Weissburg (Director of the Sister Isaac Center), Robert Forthman (Facilities Director), Joseph Poletti (St. Mary School Principal), Omeed Huemiller (Director of Youth Ministries), Sandy O'Leary (Administrative Assistant and Bulletin Editor), Cheryl Smith (Parish Secretary), and Irene Cruz (Assistant for Hispanic Ministries).
- Pastor & Rector: Very Rev. Jairo Alberto Maldonado-Pacheco
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Drew Eliot Navarro
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Cong Viet Le
- Deacon John Walsh, Director of Religious Education
- Alex Hill, Director of Music and Liturgy
- Norma Rivera, Director of Hispanic Ministries; Irene Cruz, Assistant for Hispanic Ministries
- Theresa Weissburg, Director of the Sister Isaac Center
- Joseph Poletti, St. Mary School Principal
- Robert Forthman, Facilities Director
- Omeed Huemiller, Director of Youth Ministries
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary is directed by Deacon John Walsh, with parallel English and Spanish tracks. The parish prepares children and adults for the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) and supports family catechesis through both classroom and family-based models. The Hispanic Ministry office (Norma Rivera and Irene Cruz) coordinates Formación en la Fe Hispana, including preparation for Quinceañera.
- Deacon John Walsh, Director of Religious Education
- English faith formation track
- Formación en la Fe Hispana / Spanish sacramental prep
- Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation
- RCIA-style inquiry resources via the parish 'Faith Formation' page
Catholic Education at St. Mary
St. Mary Catholic School is a PreK3–8 Catholic school in historic downtown Wilmington serving families from New Hanover County and beyond. Founded on the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy's 1869 Academy of the Incarnation, the school today offers religious education integrated with strong arts and STEM programming. It is the only school in Wilmington offering Suzuki violin, and middle-school students have the opportunity to take high-school courses. The principal is Joseph Poletti.
- PreK3 through Grade 8
- Suzuki violin program (only in Wilmington)
- Strong arts and STEM program
- Middle school students may take high school courses
- Principal: Joseph Poletti
Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School
Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School (FTPCHS) is a regional Catholic high school being developed by volunteer professionals, clergy, and finance councils from the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary (with St. Mary Catholic School) and St. Mark Catholic Church and School. Phase One will launch for the 2026–2027 school year in four refurbished classrooms of the historic Tileston school building on the St. Mary Catholic School campus.
- Opening for the 2026–2027 academic year
- Phase One housed in the historic Tileston building on the St. Mary campus
- Joint initiative with St. Mark Catholic Church and School
- Integrates academic rigor with faith-based values, moral development, and community service
Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano)
The Hispanic Ministry serves the Spanish-speaking Catholic community in and around Wilmington. In addition to a weekly Spanish Saturday Vigil Mass and Spanish weekday/liturgical offerings, the office coordinates Quinceañera bookings (six months in advance and requiring Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation), sacramental preparation in Spanish, parish registration, and other volunteer opportunities for Spanish-speaking families.
- Weekly Spanish Vigil: Saturday 7:00 PM
- Spanish Sunday Mass at 1:00 PM with incense
- Wednesday Spanish Mass at 7:00 PM
- Holy Day Spanish Mass at 7:00 PM
- Director: Norma Rivera; Assistant: Irene Cruz
- Quinceañera scheduling, Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9 AM–12 PM
Sister Isaac Center
The Sister Isaac Center is the parish's outreach and charitable arm, directed by Theresa Weissburg. The center carries the parish's mission to serve the poor and the stranger, providing direct assistance and connecting parishioners to volunteer opportunities in the Cape Fear region.
- Outreach/charity hub of the parish
- Director: Theresa Weissburg
- Coordination of volunteer service, especially serving the stranger and immigrant
Music and Liturgy
The basilica's Music and Liturgy program, directed by Alex Hill, takes full advantage of the Guastavino-vaulted acoustics. The 1988 renovation overhauled the sound system and rebuilt and enlarged the organ, supporting a robust sung liturgy across English and Spanish Masses, including the incensed 11:00 a.m. Solemn Mass and the 1:00 p.m. Spanish Mass.
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Alex Hill
- Renovated and enlarged organ (1988)
- Outstanding acoustics from Guastavino hard terra-cotta vault tiles
- Solemn Mass with incense at 11:00 AM Sunday
Sacrament of Marriage and Quinceañera
Couples wishing to be married in the basilica are asked to contact the parish office at 910-762-5491 or via [email protected], or for Spanish-language inquiries, Irene Cruz at 910-762-5491, ext. 122 ([email protected]). Quinceañera bookings are handled through the Hispanic Ministry on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to noon, with a recommendation of six months' advance planning. Quinceañera candidates must have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation). Funerals are arranged through the parish office.
- Marriage: contact parish secretary for booking and preparation
- Quinceañera: contact Hispanic Ministry; six months advance; requires Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
- Funerals: arranged through parish office
Youth, Faith Resources, and Other Ministries
The parish operates a Youth Ministry under Omeed Huemiller, plus resources to explore Catholicism and answer questions about the Faith through its website. A Safety and Security Ministry is being developed in cooperation with current and retired law-enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel, with the goal of having at least two volunteers at each Mass. The parish invites additional volunteers and connects ministry opportunities through [email protected].
- Youth Ministry (Omeed Huemiller)
- Safety and Security Ministry recruiting first responders and EMTs
- Volunteer coordination through the parish office
- Online Faith Formation resources via the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Thomas Murphy1845–1855
First full-time priest of the Wilmington parish; organized construction of the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle at 208 Dock Street.
- James (later Cardinal James) Gibbons1868–
Vicar-Apostolic of North Carolina; designated Saint Thomas a Pro-Cathedral, brought the Sisters of Mercy to Wilmington in 1869, and purchased the Ann Street/Fifth Avenue property that became the site of the present basilica. Later dedicated the new church as Saint Mary Pro-Cathedral on April 12, 1912.
- Monsignor Christopher Dennen1890s–
Pastor of Saint Thomas Church who in the 1890s encouraged the creation of the new downtown parish that built Saint Mary.
- Abbot Leo Michael Haid, O.S.B.1908
Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina; laid the cornerstone on May 20, 1908.
- Father Thomas Hadden1988
Pastoral leadership during the 1988 renovation overseen by Gerald Allen & Associates of New York.
- Very Rev. Jairo Alberto Maldonado-Pachecopresent
Current Pastor & Rector of the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary.