Churches: Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

A while ago, we visited the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (pictured below), which is located in Northeast D.C. next to Catholic University.  

 

It's time for a pop quiz:  True or False?

• The basilica is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States.

• The basilica is the tallest habitable building in D.C.  

• Construction of the basilica began in 1920 and was completed on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2017.

• One of the builders of the basilica was also the general contractor for the Pentagon, Jefferson Memorial and the White House reconstruction. 

• The architectural style of the basilica is Neo-Byzantine.

• Three popes have visited the basilica:  John Paul II (1990), Benedict XVI (2008), Francis (2015).  

If you answered "true" to all six statements, then give yourself an A+.  

The basilica is immense.  The exterior of the basilica measures 459' long, 240' wide and 237' feet to the highest point.  The basilica has 70 side chapels in the upper and lower church.  The church is filled with sacred art in the form of mosaics, sculptures and stained glass windows.

Here is a photographic tour that gives some idea about how large and beautiful the church is.  Enjoy.

The facade of the basilica

The bell tower, 329' tall to the top of the cross

The nave of the basilica 

The rose window and pipe organ over the entrance to the basilica

The Trinity Dome (dedicated December 8, 2017, marking the basilica's completion)

Detail of The Trinity Dome

The Rose Window above the altar

A large mosaic, Christ in Majesty, behind the altar. The mosaic reminds us of similar mosaics we saw during Year 2 while visiting Palermo, Sicily.  (If the image were not religious, the figure might be saying, "I caught a fish this big!"

The baldachino altar

One of the many beautiful mosaics in the basilica. 

Another beautiful mosaic, Our Lady of Guadalupe 

In the Our Mother of Africa chapel, a sculpture of St. Luke, with the winged ox symbol.  The sculpture is intended to resemble a man of African origin.     

Saints Clare and Francis (stained glass windows)

Our Lady of China (mosiac)

St. Dominic

Thanks for visiting the basilica with us.