View source for Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

{{Short description|Catholic church in Washington, D.C.}}
{{For|the parish in the D.C. neighborhood of Shaw|Immaculate Conception Church (Washington, D.C.)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox church
| denomination     = [[Catholic Church]]
| sui iuris church = [[Latin Church]]
| name             = Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
| other name       = {{br list| National and Patronal Church | of the United States of America}}
| img              = Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington.jpg
| image_upright    = 1.13
| caption          = View from south in <!--February-->2010
| imagealt         = Tree-lined entry road leading to the main façade, showing the entry with the great rose window, dome, and bell tower attached to the left of the main structure
| pushpin map      = United States Washington, D.C.
| pushpin label position = none
| pushpin map alt  = Map of the city of Washington, D.C., with a red dot on the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception<
| coordinates      = {{coord|38|56|0|N|77|0|02|W|display=inline,title}}
| map caption      = Location of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in [[Washington, D.C.]]
| country          = United States
| address          = 400 Michigan Avenue [[Northeast (Washington, D.C.)|NE]]
| location         = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| tradition        = [[Roman Rite]], various [[Eastern Catholic liturgy|Eastern Catholic liturgies]]
| website          = {{URL|nationalshrine.org}}
| status           = {{hlist|[[Basilicas in the Catholic Church|Minor basilica]]|[[National&nbsp;shrine]]}}
| dedication       = [[Immaculate Conception]]
| consecrated date = {{Start date and age|1920|9|23|br=y}}
| dedicated date   = {{Start date and age|1959|11|20|br=y}}
| architect        = [[Maginnis & Walsh]]
| architectural type = [[Basilica]]
| style            = [[Byzantine Revival architecture|Byzantine Revival]] and [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]]
| groundbreaking   = {{Start date and age|1920|5|16|br=y}}
| year completed   = {{Start date and age|2017|12|8|br=y}}
| capacity         = 3,500
| length           = {{convert|459|ft}}<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica">{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalshrine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica.pdf |title=Architectural Details of the Basilica |website=Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception |date=March 15, 2019 |access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715172331/https://www.nationalshrine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
| width            = {{convert|240|ft|0}}<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/>
| width nave       = {{convert|157|ft}}<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/>
| height max       = {{convert|329|ft}}<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/>
| dome height outer = {{convert|237|ft}}<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/>
| dome height inner = {{convert|159|ft}}<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/>
| dome dia outer   = {{convert|108|ft}}<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/>
| dome dia inner   = {{convert|89|ft}}<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/>
| archdiocese      = [[Archdiocese of Washington]]
| archbishop       = [[Robert W. McElroy]]
| rector           = Walter R. Rossi
| priest           = {{ubl|Walter R. Rossi|Vito A. Buonanno|Ismael N. Ayala|Raymond A. Lebrun}}
| organist         = {{ubl|Peter J. Latona |Benjamin LaPrarie|Andrew Vu|Robert Grogan (also the [[carillonneur]])}}
| logo             = Coat of arms of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.svg
| director         = {{ubl|Peter J. Latona|Benjamin LaPrarie (associate director)}}
}}
The '''Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception''' is a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[minor basilica]] and [[national shrine]] in [[Washington D.C.]] It is the [[List of largest church buildings in the world|largest]] Catholic church building in [[North America]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=20 Largest Churches in the World |url=https://vocal.media/wander/20-largest-churches-in-the-world |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728154547/https://vocal.media/wander/20-largest-churches-in-the-world |archive-date=2020-07-28 |access-date=2020-07-28 |website=Wander}}</ref> and is also the [[List of tallest buildings in Washington, D.C.|tallest habitable building]] in Washington, D.C.<ref name="Shrine">{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/pp.asp?c=etITK6OTG&b=107986 |title=Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception |website=National Shrine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203054648/http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/pp.asp?c=etITK6OTG&b=107986 |archive-date=February 3, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/pp.asp?c=etITK6OTG&b=107986 |title=The National Shrine |access-date=July 23, 2011 |website=SkyscraperPage.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005152023/http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/pp.asp?c=etITK6OTG&b=107986 |archive-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref>{{efn|The [[Washington Monument]] is a taller structure, (though it stands at a lower elevation) but is not a habitable building.}} Its construction of [[Byzantine Revival architecture|Byzantine]] and [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]] architecture began on 23 September  1920.

The basilica is dedicated to the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]] as the [[Immaculate Conception]], designated as the principal [[Patroness]] accorded by [[Pope Pius IX]] on February 7, 1847.<ref name="Shrine" /> [[Pope Pius XI]] donated a [[mosaic]] rendition of the image in 1923. It serves as the patronal church of the Catholic Church in the United States.

[[Pope John Paul II]] raised the [[National Shrine]] to the status of [[Basilicas in the Catholic Church|Minor Basilica]] via his Pontifical decree ''Clarum Constat Templum'' on October 12, 1990.{{Efn|{{lang|la|Ioannem Paulum Secundum, Papam. Prænotanda Numerorum}} # 270–632. Signed and notarized by Secretary State of the Vatican, Cardinal [[Agostino Casaroli]].  [[Vatican Secret Archives]].}} At the shrine,  [[Pope Benedict XVI]] bestowed a [[Golden Rose]] on April 26, 2008, and [[Pope Francis]] canonized [[Junípero Serra]] on September 23, 2015.

==Details of vicinity==
Although the basilica is situated within the geographical boundaries of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington|Archdiocese of Washington]], the basilica is not a [[Parish (Catholic Church)|parish]] of the archdiocese, does not have its own parish community, and the shrine's administration does not fall under the direct authority of the local Archbishop,{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} but it serves adjacent [[Catholic University of America|Catholic University]]<!-- of America-->, which donated the land for its construction, and the [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]]. It also hosts numerous Masses for various organizations of the Church from across the United States. The basilica is not the cathedral of the archdiocese, as that title and honor belongs to the [[Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (Washington, D.C.)|Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle]], although numerous archdiocesan events are held at the basilica. As of 2025, the rector of the basilica is the Reverend Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, who holds a [[Licentiate of Canon Law]].

The basilica is served by the [[Brookland–CUA station]] on the [[Red Line (Washington Metro)|Red Line]], roughly {{convert|500|m|yd|-1|order=flip}} away.

==Architecture==
[[File:Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Sign 05.jpg|thumb|left|The detail of the grand facade of the basilica]]
The basilica houses 82 Marian chapels (including the [[Our Mother of Africa Chapel]]), as well as other sacred images, flanking the sides of the Great Upper Church and the Crypt Church.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clay |first=Jennifer |date=April 2005 |title=National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-locations/national-shrine-of-the-immaculate-conception%2C792420.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420200857/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-locations/national-shrine-of-the-immaculate-conception%2C792420.html|archive-date=2012-04-20}}</ref> They were designed to reflect the origins of Catholic Americans and the religious orders whose generosity erected them.

Its Greek-styled interior is crowned with numerous domes decorated in [[mosaic]]s, similar to the [[Basilica of St. Mark]] in Venice, Italy, but much larger. The mosaics feature American renditions of traditional Catholic images. Artist [[Jan Henryk De Rosen]], who presided over the shrine's iconography committee was also responsible for much of its decor, including composing the large mosaic over the northern [[apse]].

The exterior of the basilica is {{convert|459|ft}} long, {{convert|240|ft|0|abbr=on}} wide, and {{convert|237|ft|abbr=on}} tall to the top of the cross on the dome. The exterior area of the basilica is {{convert|10234|m²|sqft|0|order=flip}}.<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/pp.asp?c=etITK6OTG&b=130927 |title=Architectural Style |website=National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception |access-date=March 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208225951/http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/pp.asp?c=etITK6OTG&b=130927 |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Trinity Dome (the main dome of the structure) is only {{convert|7|ft|spell=in}} smaller than that of the [[United States Capitol|U.S.&nbsp;Capitol]]. The interior area of the basilica is {{convert|7097|m²|sqft|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} for the Upper Level and Great Upper Church, and {{convert|12069|m²|sqft|0|order=flip|abbr=on}} for the Lower Level and Crypt Church, for a grand total of  {{convert|19166|m²|sqft|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name="BNSIC-Architectural-Details-of-the-Basilica"/>

The Trinity Dome of the basilica is covered in 47,000 gloss [[Ludowici Roof Tile|Ludowici]] shingle tiles arranged to form [[biblical]] patterns. The blue tiles represent the [[Virgin Mary]], the yellow is a reference to common architecture found on [[Hebrew]] churches, red is symbolic of [[Christ's blood]], and the grey tiles are a neutral color to emphasize the patterns. Ludowici also produced the [[roof tiles]] for the tower and lower roof.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGee |first1=Charles L. |title=About the cover |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_brick-and-clay-record_1960-07_137_1 |work=Brick and Clay Record |issue=1 |publisher=Cahners |date=July 1960}}</ref>

The shrine was built in the style of medieval churches, relying on thick masonry walls and columns in place of structural steel and reinforced concrete. It was designed to hold 10,000 worshipers and includes modern amenities such as a basement cafeteria, hidden public address speakers to carry speech at the altar to the rear of the building, air conditioning and what was the largest radiant heating slab in the world (in 1959).<ref name="dedication">{{cite news |agency=[[United Press International]] |title=National Catholic Shrine Will be Dedicated Nov. 20 |newspaper=[[Reading Eagle]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T6MhAAAAIBAJ&pg=5658,3470625&dq=basilica+of+the+national+shrine+of+the+immaculate+conception&hl=en |date=November 8, 1959 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521045633/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T6MhAAAAIBAJ&pg=5658,3470625&dq=basilica+of+the+national+shrine+of+the+immaculate+conception&hl=en |url-status=live}}</ref>

There are arches outlined with iridescent [[Pewabic Pottery]] tile, large ceramic medallions set in the ceiling, and fourteen [[Stations of the Cross]] in the Crypt Church.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bruner |first=Lousie |title=Historian, Print Specialist Begin Museum Duties |newspaper=[[The Blade (Toledo)|The Blade]] |location=Toledo |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7MYxAAAAIBAJ&pg=6927,5104317&dq=pewabic+tile+shrine&hl=en |date=July 5, 1977 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521032749/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7MYxAAAAIBAJ&pg=6927,5104317&dq=pewabic+tile+shrine&hl=en |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
===Patronage of the Immaculate Conception===
In 1792 [[John Carroll (priest)|John Carroll]], the [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Baltimore|bishop of Baltimore]] and the United States's first Catholic bishop, consecrated the newly created United States under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the [[Immaculate Conception]]. In 1846, the 6th [[Provincial Councils of Baltimore]] reiterated this episcopal choice to name the title ''Virgin Mary, conceived without sin'' as the principal patroness of the land. [[Pope Pius IX]] formalized the decision on February 7, 1847, and it was published on July 2, 1847.

===Construction (20th century)===
[[File:Basilica_Crypt_Church.JPG|thumb|left|Grave of Bishop [[Thomas Joseph Shahan]], founder of the Shrine]]
[[Bishops in the Catholic Church|Bishop]] [[Thomas Joseph Shahan]], the fourth [[Rector (academia)|rector]] of the [[Catholic University of America]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], proposed the construction of a national [[shrine]] to commemorate the Immaculate Conception in the country's capital. Bishop Shahan took his appeal to [[Pope Pius X]] on August 15, 1913.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morgan |first1=David G. |last2=Promey |first2=Sally M. |title=The Visual Culture of American Religions |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LLL28xCRM00C&pg=PA76 |year=2001 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-22522-0 |page=76 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217162547/https://books.google.com/books?id=LLL28xCRM00C&pg=PA76 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Shahan received the pope's enthusiastic support and personal contribution of US$400 (US$11,681 in 2022, adjusted for inflation).{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} Shahan returned to the United States and persuaded the board of trustees of The Catholic University of America to donate land at the southwest corner of the campus for his shrine.

In January 1914, Shahan published the first issue of ''Salve Regina'', a newsletter meant to stir enthusiasm for his project. He wrote that the shrine would be a "monument of love and gratitude, a great hymn in stone as perfect as the art of man can make it and as holy as the intentions of its builders could wish it to be." His newsletter was circulated to dioceses throughout the country and financial donations began to pour into Washington. In 1915, Shahan appointed Father Bernard McKenna of [[Philadelphia]] as first director of the national shrine. Shahan oversaw the construction of the shrine until his death on March 9, 1932. His are the only remains interred at the basilica.

By 1919, Shahan and McKenna chose architectural drawings by the [[Boston]] firm of [[Maginnis & Walsh]] for construction of the national shrine. Initially, they considered a traditional [[Gothic Revival architecture|Neo-Gothic]] architectural style, but Shahan opted instead for a Byzantine Revival–Romanesque Revival design.<ref>Morgan (2001), p. 79.</ref> On May 16, 1920, [[Archbishop]] [[Giovanni Bonzano]], [[Nunciature of the Holy See in Washington DC|Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America]], celebrated Mass and blessed the site of the future National Shrine. On September 23, 1920, [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] [[James Gibbons (bishop)|James Gibbons]], [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Baltimore|archbishop of Baltimore]], blessed the foundation stone. More than 10,000 people attended the Mass, including ambassadors, government officials, and military officers. On April 20, 1924, the first public mass ever offered at the shrine was held in the unfinished Crypt Church. In 1932, the death of Bishop Shahan and the [[Great Depression]] halted the construction above the completed Crypt Church level. The beginning of American involvement in [[World War II]] stalled plans even further, and construction was not resumed until 1954.

After the war, in 1953, American bishops under the leadership of [[John Noll]], archbishop ''ad personam'' of [[Fort Wayne, Indiana|Fort Wayne]], and [[Patrick O'Boyle (American bishop)|Patrick O'Boyle]], archbishop of Washington, pledged to raise the funds necessary to complete the Great Upper Church of the national shrine. On November 15, 1954, work was resumed on building the shrine, and on November 20, 1959, thousands of Catholics gathered with the bishops for the dedication of the Great Upper Church.

Since 1968, the [[Papal Tiara]] of [[Pope Paul VI]] has been on display inside the Crypt Church.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dugan |first1=George |title=Spellman's Surprise: Pope's Tiara Is Here |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/01/spellmans-surprise-popes-tiara-is-here.html| access-date=February 24, 2017 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 1, 1964| archive-date=June 30, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630121309/http://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/01/spellmans-surprise-popes-tiara-is-here.html| url-status=live}}</ref> On October 12, 1990, Pope John Paul II raised the national shrine to the status of a minor basilica. The [[papal bull]] was signed and notarized by Cardinal [[Agostino Casaroli]]. It is the 36th designated basilica within the United States.
[[File:Coat of arms of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.svg|thumb|The representation of the coat of arms of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.]]

==Completion (21st century)==
[[File:Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (5379784334).jpg|thumb|Interior view of the basilica's choir and sanctuary]]
In August 2006, work was completed on a [[mosaic]] covering the Redemption Dome in the Great Upper Church. Following its completion in the summer of 2007, the Incarnation Dome was blessed on November 17, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=McLaughlin |first=Moira |title=A Work of Art in Many Pieces |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062201697.html |date=June 23, 2007 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=September 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903054408/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062201697.html |url-status=live}}</ref> A small chapel on the Crypt Church level honoring [[Our Lady of La Vang]] (Vietnam) was completed in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |last=Black |first=Meredith |title=Vietnamese Catholics Gather at National Shrine to celebrate their faith |newspaper=[[Catholic Standard]] |location=Washington |url=http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/56110.htm |date=June 27, 2008 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930215755/http://www.vietcatholic.net/News/Html/56110.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, during his trip to the United States, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] bestowed the [[Golden Rose]] upon the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Pope, US bishops exchange gifts |publisher=CatholicCulture.org |url=http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=57893 |date=April 17, 2008 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=August 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817122858/http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=57893 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2011, a new chapel dedicated to [[Our Lady of Lebanon]] was erected within the basilica, commemorating the fidelity of the [[Maronite]] Church and its [[Faithful (Catholicism)|faithful]]. A mosaic of [[Saint Maroun]] and the [[Crucifixion]] was copied from the 6th-century [[Rabbula Gospels]] manuscript, and was donated by [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] [[Donald Wuerl]]. The chapel was formally consecrated by Maronite Bishop [[Gregory John Mansour|Gregory J. Mansour]] on September 23, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.archbalt.org/new-chapel-dedicated-to-our-lady-of-lebanon-at-national-shrine/ |last=Szczepanowski |first=Richard |title=New chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lebanon at national shrine |newspaper=[[The Catholic Review]] |location=[[Baltimore]] |date=September 26, 2011| access-date=September 6, 2020| archive-date=October 24, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024003000/https://www.archbalt.org/new-chapel-dedicated-to-our-lady-of-lebanon-at-national-shrine/| url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 26, 2013, the basilica held a televised thanksgiving Mass and enshrined two first class [[relic]]s of Americans [[Kateri Tekakwitha]] and [[Marianne Cope]], who were both canonized October 20, 2012.<ref name=Rio>{{cite news |title=Native Americans celebrate faith, spirituality at Tekakwitha gathering |url=http://www.catholicsun.org/2013/07/23/native-americans-celebrate-faith-spirituality-at-tekakwitha-gathering/ |last=Sparke |first=Andy |agency=[[Catholic News Service]] |newspaper=[[The Catholic Sun]] |location=[[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] |date=July 23, 2013| access-date=February 24, 2017| archive-date=February 25, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225051354/http://www.catholicsun.org/2013/07/23/native-americans-celebrate-faith-spirituality-at-tekakwitha-gathering/| url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Pope Francis]] visited the shrine on September 23, 2015, and celebrated a Mass for the canonization of Saint Junípero Serra, O.F.M., on the mall of the Catholic University of America. The altar, [[Ambon (liturgy)|ambo]], and chair used for this Mass match the existing marble in the basilica. After the Mass, the papal altar was placed in front of the [[Altar (Catholicism)|High Altar]], and is now used as the altar in the Great Upper Church.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mena |first=Adelaide |title=An altar for Pope Francis: CUA students' design to enliven DC Mass |agency=Catholic News Agency |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/32120/an-altar-for-pope-francis-cua-students-design-to-enliven-dc-mass |date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=September 1, 2018 |archive-date=September 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901215816/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/an-altar-for-pope-francis-cua-students-design-to-enliven-dc-mass-54242 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 20, 2016, the basilica was the site of the funeral Mass of US Supreme Court Justice [[Antonin Scalia]] at which his son Fr. Paul Scalia was the celebrant.<ref name=scalia>{{cite news |title=At funeral Mass, Justice Scalia eulogized as a man of faith as well as law |first1=Richard |last1=Wolf |first2=Gregory |last2=Korte |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=February 20, 2016 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/02/20/supreme-court-justice-antonin-scalia-funeral-mass/80648918/| access-date=August 5, 2017| archive-date=August 9, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809035000/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/02/20/supreme-court-justice-antonin-scalia-funeral-mass/80648918/| url-status=live}}</ref>

The final architectural element was completed with the installation of the 24 tons of [[Venetian glass]] in the central ''Trinity Dome'', one of the largest [[mosaic]]s of its kind in the world. On December 8, 2017, the [[Feast of the Immaculate Conception]], the dome was dedicated and solemnly blessed by Cardinal Donald Wuerl.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/12/09/after-century-largest-catholic-church-north-america-finally-complete/937410001/ |title=After a century, the largest Catholic church in North America is finally complete |last=Samber |first=Sharon |date=December 9, 2017 |newspaper=USA Today| access-date=December 10, 2017| archive-date=May 16, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516225927/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/12/09/after-century-largest-catholic-church-north-america-finally-complete/937410001/| url-status=live}}</ref>

==Priests of the Basilica==
* Walter R. Rossi{{snd}}Rector
* Vito A. Buonanno{{snd}}Director of Pilgrimages
* Ismael N. Ayala{{snd}}Director of Liturgy
* Raymond A. Lebrun{{snd}}Spiritual Director

==Staff of the Basilica==
* Daniel MacGregor{{snd}}Comptroller and CFO
* Geraldine M. Rohling{{snd}}Archivist/Curator Emerita
* Peter J. Latona{{snd}}Director of Music
* Benjamin LaPrairie{{snd}}Associate Director of Music
* Adam Chlebek{{snd}}Assistant Director of Music
* Robert Grogan{{snd}}Carillonneur and Organist Emeritus
* Dee Steel{{snd}}Director of Visitor Services
* Jacquelyn Hayes{{snd}}Director of Communications
* Amy Maloney{{snd}}National Shrine Shops Manager
* Valencia Yvonne Camp{{snd}}Director of Special Events and Operations Manager

==Gallery==
===Exterior===
<gallery class="center">
File:Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception from atop Washington Mnt.jpg|The basilica viewed from atop the [[Washington Monument]]
File:Basilique du Sanctuaire National de l'Immaculée Conception-2.jpg|The [[liturgical east]] end of the basilica
File:Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.jpg|The basilica viewed from the east
File:Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C LCCN2011636428.jpg|Detail of the dome
File:Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC (172660639).jpg|Bell tower
File:Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C LCCN2011636423.tif|The basilica under lighting
</gallery>
{{wide image|Mall panorama.JPG|1000px|align-cap=center|Panoramic view from the Catholic University Mall}}

===Interior===
<gallery class="center">
File:Sanctuary of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C LCCN2011635564.tif|View of the basilica's Great Upper Church nave
File:Basilica National Shrine Immaculate Conception DC 26.JPG|View of the basilica's Crypt Church nave
File:Stained-glass window at the National Shrine for the Immaculate Conception at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C LCCN2011634622.tif|Stained glass window in the basilica
File:Bishop'sVestingAltar.JPG|Bishop's vesting altar in the Great Upper Church sacristy
File:St. Margaret of Scotland.jpg|Relief sculpture of [[Saint Margaret of Scotland]]
File:Basilica National Shrine Immaculate Conception DC 25.JPG|The [[papal tiara]] of [[Pope Paul VI]]
File:NationalShrineOfTheImmaculateConceptionGoldenRose.jpg|Golden Rose bestowed by Pope Benedict XVI
</gallery>
{{wide image|Shrine interior 1.JPG|1000px|align-cap=center|Panoramic view of the nave}}
{{wide image|Apse 360.JPG|1000px|align-cap=center|Panoramic view of the apse}}

==See also==
{{Portal|1960s|Architecture|Catholic Church|United States}}
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Mary, Protector of Faith (Russo)|Mary, Protector of Faith Sculpture]] in Mary's Garden
* [[Catholic Church in the United States#Top pilgrimage destinations in the United States|Top Catholic pilgrimage destinations in the United States]]
* [[Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family]]
* [[List of basilicas]]
* [[List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States]]
* [[List of Catholic dioceses in the United States]]
* [[List of tallest domes]]
* [[Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America]]
* [[Architecture of Washington, D.C.]]
{{div col end}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Tucker |first=Gregory W. |title=America's Church: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception |date=2000-02-01 |publisher=Our Sunday Visitor |isbn=978-0-87973-700-9 |ref=none}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception}}
* {{Official website|http://www.nationalshrine.com/}}
* {{HABS |survey=DC-859 |id=dc1048 |title=Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue N.W., Washington, District of Columbia, DC}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20210306165305/https://www.catholicphotographer.com/p743698424 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Photo Gallery by The Catholic Photographer]}}
* [http://www.dcmemorials.com/Groups_Basilica.htm Sculpture on the exterior of the Basilica (more than 100 pieces)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730151304/http://dcmemorials.com/Groups_Basilica.htm |date=July 30, 2012 }}
* [http://www.stainedglassphotography.com/Basilica%20of%20the%20National%20Shrine/album/index.html www.stainedglassphotography.com]&nbsp;– images of the artwork in the Basilica

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before=[[Old Post Office Building (Washington, D.C.)]]
| title=[[List of tallest buildings in Washington, D.C.|Tallest Building in Washington, D.C.]]
| years=1959–present<br/><small>100m</small>
| after=None
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Tallest Buildings by U.S. state|state=autocollapse}}
{{RC Archdiocese of Washington}}
{{Catholicism}}
{{Washington DC landmarks}}
{{National churches in Washington, D.C.}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1961 establishments in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:20th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in the United States]]
[[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic church buildings in the United States]]
[[Category:Basilica churches in the United States|Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the]]
[[Category:Bell towers in the United States]]
[[Category:Brookland (Washington, D.C.)]]
[[Category:Catholic University of America buildings and structures|Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the]]
[[Category:Byzantine Revival architecture in Washington, D.C.|Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the]]
[[Category:Carillons]]
[[Category:Church buildings with domes]]
[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Washington, D.C.|Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic churches in Washington, D.C.|Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic national shrines in the United States|Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the]]
[[Category:Romanesque Revival church buildings in Washington, D.C.|Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic churches completed in 1961]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic churches completed in 2017]]
[[Category:Shrines to the Virgin Mary|Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the]]