Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, National Catholic shrine at Michigan Avenue, Washington, D.C., United States.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a national shrine and architectural structure in Byzantine Revival style in Washington, D.C., built from brick. The church covers roughly 7,200 square meters (77,500 square feet) and stands as the largest Roman Catholic church in North America, with a structure that draws on Byzantine architectural elements.
The foundation stone was laid in 1920 after American bishops declared the Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception as patroness of the United States. Construction continued over decades, with the building gradually expanded and completed only in the second half of the 20th century.
Over 80 chapels and oratories inside display religious artworks from Catholic communities of different origins who have made this a spiritual home. Each chapel reflects the traditions and customs of a particular immigrant group, from Irish to Polish, from Filipino to Latin American congregations.
The church offers six daily masses, five hours of confession times, and guided tours, with free admission and shops plus a cafeteria on site. The nearest Metro station sits four blocks away, from where you can reach the building on foot in a few minutes.
The church received the Golden Rose, a papal honor, and holds one of the most extensive collections of modern ecclesiastical art worldwide. The interior can accommodate up to 2,500 visitors in a theater-style arrangement, making it a venue for large gatherings and celebrations.
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