St. Mary's Basilica

History & Significance

Basilica · Est. Parish founded 1881; current church built 1902-1914 and dedicated 1915

St. Mary's Basilica is the oldest Catholic parish in the Phoenix area, founded in 1881, with its present church built between 1902 and 1914 and dedicated in 1915. Long staffed by the Franciscan Friars of the Saint Barbara province, it was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II on September 2, 1985 (decree Una Propemodum Voce), and the pope visited in 1987, addressing crowds from the facade balcony. It is the only basilica in Arizona and today serves the Diocese of Phoenix, which assumed its administration in 2023.

Combined Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival

• •Founded in 1881 as the oldest Catholic parish church in the greater Phoenix area
• •Present church constructed 1902-1914 and dedicated in 1915
• •Raised to minor basilica by Pope John Paul II on September 2, 1985, via decree Una Propemodum Voce
• •Only basilica in the state of Arizona; serves the Diocese of Phoenix (administration assumed 2023; historically Franciscan Friars of the Saint Barbara province)
• •Added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 29, 1978