About St. Mary Immaculate Conception · Norfolk, Virginia
The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a Minor Basilica and Black Catholic parish in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, located at 232 Chapel Street. Founded in 1791 as St. Patrick's Church by French refugees from the Revolution, it is the oldest Catholic parish in the Diocese of Richmond and is known as 'The Mother Church of Tidewater Virginia.' On December 8, 1991 — the 200th anniversary of the parish and the feast of the Immaculate Conception — Pope John Paul II designated it a Minor Basilica, making it the only one in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the only African American minor basilica in the United States. The current Gothic Revival church was designed by Patrick Charles Keely and built in 1857–1858 after the original 1842 structure burned. The parish is nationally significant for its deep roots in African American Catholic heritage, having absorbed the historically Black St. Joseph's parish in 1961 and now serving a predominantly African American worshipping community.
- Established
- 1791
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Rev. Sean Prince (Rector, effective July 1, 2026 — succeeding Rev. James Curran, who served 2012–2026)
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a living piece of American Catholic history: the oldest parish in the Diocese of Richmond, the only minor basilica in Virginia, and the only African American minor basilica in the United States. Worship is rich and intergenerational, with the Basilica Mass Choir singing at both Sunday Masses (the 9:00 AM Mass includes ASL interpretation), and a special observance each December 8 on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The parish feeds the wider Norfolk community through a soup kitchen and food pantry operating four days a week, offers OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) for those exploring Catholicism, and partners with Norfolk State University as a campus ministry. For anyone seeking a historic Black Catholic community grounded in prayer, music, and direct service to those in need, St. Mary's is a singular place.
Mass times at St. Mary Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
- By appointment: (757) 876-0554
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is referenced on the parish site (refer to the parish calendar for current times)
History and Heritage
Founded in 1791 as St. Patrick's Church by French Catholic refugees from the Revolution and soon joined by Irish immigrants, the parish is the oldest in the Diocese of Richmond and 'The Mother Church of Tidewater Virginia.' The current church was designed by Patrick Charles Keely and built in 1857–1858, dedicated to Mary of the Immaculate Conception on October 2, 1858 — the first church to bear that name after Pope Pius IX defined the dogma in 1854. African American Catholics are documented at the parish from 1842; in 1886 they were assigned a section of the choir loft, and in 1889 the Josephite Fathers helped found St. Joseph's Black Catholic parish nearby.
- Founded 1791 as St. Patrick's Church
- Original 1842 church destroyed by fire 1856
- Present Gothic Revival church built 1857–1858; dedicated October 2, 1858
- Designed by architect Patrick Charles Keely (1816–1906)
- First church named for the Immaculate Conception after the 1854 dogma
- 1989 rededication by Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Most Rev. Pio Laghi (November 1, 1989)
- Elevated to Minor Basilica December 8, 1991 by Pope John Paul II
- Listed on National Register of Historic Places (1979), updated 2019 with 'Ethnic Heritage: African American' significance
The African American Catholic Community
St. Mary's has been associated with Norfolk's African American Catholic community since at least 1842. In 1886 'colored' Catholics were assigned a section of the choir loft; in 1889 the Josephite Fathers helped found St. Joseph's Black Catholic parish (some 800 baptisms and 500+ converts in 25 years). Mid-century urban renewal forced the sale of St. Joseph's church and school; the congregation was merged into St. Mary's in 1961, transforming it into a predominantly African American parish. Father Walter C. Barrett became the parish's first African American pastor in 1985. Today the Basilica is the only African American minor basilica in the United States and one of only about five predominantly African American parishes in the Diocese of Richmond.
- African American parishioners documented from 1842
- Choir loft section reserved for Black Catholics from 1886
- St. Joseph's Black Catholic parish founded 1889 by the Josephites
- Merger of St. Joseph's into St. Mary's in 1961
- Father John Harfmann started Norfolk's first Catholic-sponsored Head Start program
- Father Walter C. Barrett — first African American pastor (from 1985)
Architecture and the Building
Designed by Patrick Charles Keely in the Gothic Revival style and built 1857–1858, the Basilica is an outstanding antebellum Gothic Revival church and one of the only examples of Keely's rare French Gothic (he usually favored English Gothic). The stucco-covered masonry building has a slate roof, finials, pinnacles, crockets, hooded lancet windows with stained glass, a central three-stage tower with spire, and an interior ceiling height of 62 feet with Gothic rib vaulting, stone interior columns, groined vaults, spandrels, three aisles, and a high altar separated from the nave with recessed side chapels. The stained glass is by the Franz Mayer Company of Munich, Germany (ordered 1923 and 1925, installed in the early 1920s), following the 15th- and 16th-century tradition of intense blues and brilliant reds under canopies.
- Architect: Patrick Charles Keely (1816–1906)
- Style: Gothic Revival (French-inspired)
- Construction: 1857–1858
- Materials: stuccoed masonry with slate roof
- Stained glass by Franz Mayer Company, Munich, Germany (1920s)
- Interior ceiling height: 62 feet, with Gothic rib vaulting
- Renovations: c. 1908, 1926, 1958, 1984–1989
- Contributing resources: 1954 statue of St. Mary, 19th-century cemetery, 1963 International Style school
Becoming Catholic (OCIA) and Faith Formation
Those exploring the Catholic faith are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), described by the parish as 'a guided, no-pressure process — not a class with a test, but a journey with a community.' Inquiries should be directed to Randy and Colleen Kersey via the parish office. The parish also runs a Faith Formation program for children and families, providing catechesis for the sacraments and ongoing religious education.
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Contact: Randy and Colleen Kersey, [email protected]
- Faith Formation for children and youth
Music and the Basilica Mass Choir
Liturgical music is central to the worship life of St. Mary's. The Basilica Mass Choir leads the music at both Sunday Masses — including the 12:00 PM Principal Mass — and welcomes new members. The parish describes its music ministry as one piece of a wider program of 'Liturgical, pastoral care, fellowship' ministry with room for every gift.
- Basilica Mass Choir leads both Sunday Masses
- Open to new members
Community Service: Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry
Outreach to the hungry of Norfolk is one of the defining ministries of the parish. The Soup Kitchen is served as take-out on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore lists service from 12:30 to 1:30 PM). The Food Pantry distributes groceries on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The Mentoring Future Leaders program extends the parish's commitment to neighborhood formation and youth development.
- Soup Kitchen — Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri 1:00–2:00 PM (take-out)
- Food Pantry — Mon/Wed/Thu 10:00 AM–12:00 Noon
- Mentoring Future Leaders
Parish Organizations
Among the 24 active ministries listed by the parish, the Knights of Peter Claver (the nation's oldest Black Catholic fraternal organization) and the Women's Ministry are visible lay communities that host parish celebrations such as the annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom in Fellowship Hall. The Basilica also partners with Norfolk State University as a campus ministry site.
- Knights of Peter Claver
- Women's Ministry
- Norfolk State University Campus Ministry
- 24 active ministries total
St. Mary's Academy and Norfolk State University
The parish operates St. Mary's Academy, a Catholic school whose c. 1963 International Style building stands on the same 1.53-acre block as the Basilica and is connected to the church by a c. 1984 hyphen. The parish is also home to a campus ministry that serves the students of Norfolk State University, located nearby in downtown Norfolk.
- St. Mary's Academy (associated school)
- 1963 International Style school building on the property
- Norfolk State University campus ministry
Visiting, Contact, and Pastoral Transitions
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at 232 Chapel Street, Norfolk, VA 23504 (mailing address PO Box 2100, Norfolk, VA 23501-2100). The main office number is (757) 622-4487 and the email is [email protected]. After 14 years as rector, Father James Curran is departing in 2026; the Diocese of Richmond has appointed Father Sean Prince, currently pastor of St. Pius X in Norfolk, as the next rector of the Basilica effective July 1, 2026. The parish has organized farewell celebrations for Father Curran and welcomes Father Prince to this historic Black Catholic community.
- Address: 232 Chapel Street, Norfolk, VA 23504
- Office: (757) 622-4487 · [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Rector through June 2026: Rev. James Curran
- Rector from July 1, 2026: Rev. Sean Prince
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Curran2012–2026
Rector for 14 years; led the parish through seasons of celebration, challenge and renewal; departing July 2026 to priest in residence at Sacred Heart, Covington / St. Joseph, Clifton Forge / Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Hot Springs.
- Rev. Walter C. Barrett1985–
First African American pastor in the history of the parish; had been assigned as the first African American associate pastor on May 3, 1975; succeeded Father Quinlan.
- Rev. Thomas J. Quinlanlate 1974–1985
First priest after St. Mary's returned to direct diocesan administration from the Josephites in 1974.
- Rev. Jeremiah D. Bradyuntil 1974
Last Josephite (St. Joseph's Society of the Sacred Heart) priest to serve St. Mary's.
- Rev. John Harfmann1960s
Started the first Catholic-sponsored Head Start program in Norfolk.
- Rev. Harold U. Gregoryfrom October 1963
First pastor leading the group from the merged St. Joseph's Black Catholic parish.
- Rev. Matthew O'Keefemid-19th century (pastor 1857–1858 era)
Oversaw the hiring of architect Patrick Charles Keely to design the present church.
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