Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a Gothic church at the heart of the university campus with soaring stone walls, pointed arches, and an ornate exterior. Inside, 44 large stained glass windows contain roughly 1,200 glass panels that depict biblical scenes and stories.

Construction of this building started in 1870 and concluded in 1888, replacing an earlier log chapel from 1843 that had served the community. This expansion shows how the Catholic university grew larger and more established over the decades.

The name reflects the Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which has been central to the university's identity since its founding. Visitors can see this faith expressed throughout the interior in artwork and religious symbols.

Visitors can enter the church during daytime hours to view the windows and interior spaces. The best time to look around is outside of service times so you can walk through at a leisurely pace without disrupting worship.

Inside sits the Murdy Family Organ, a large musical instrument with more than 5,000 pipes crafted using Dutch craftsmanship traditions. This organ is the fifth one installed in this space, reflecting a long history of musical practice in this sacred building.