St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church

St. Mary of the Visitation is a Catholic church in downtown Huntsville featuring Romanesque Revival style with two hexagonal stone towers. The structure uses native limestone from Monte Sano Mountain for its exterior and frames its main entrance with these distinctive towers.

Construction of this church began in 1861 but was interrupted during the Civil War, with the building finally completed in 1877. The lengthy construction period reflects the turbulent times that affected the region during this era.

This church has served the Catholic community in Huntsville for generations as a place to gather for worship and religious celebrations. It remains deeply woven into the spiritual life of North Alabama and continues to draw both parishioners and visitors.

The church opens for services throughout the week and on weekends at different times, allowing visitors time to enter and explore. Since it is an active place of worship, visitors are advised to wear respectful clothing and keep quiet during services.

The north tower rises higher than the south tower and houses the church bell, giving the structure an asymmetrical skyline. This intentional difference was part of the original design and creates a distinctive look that catches the eye of anyone approaching from downtown.

Location: Huntsville

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Address: 222 North Jefferson Street

Website: http://smvparish.org

GPS coordinates: 34.73278,-86.58722

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:05