Basilica of the National shrine of the Immaculate Conception - wikipedia Basilica of the National shrine of the Immaculate Conception Church in D.C., United States Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception National and Patronal church of the United States of America Main façade of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Location of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. 38 ° 56 ′ 0 '' N 77 ° 0 ′ 02 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 38.93333 ° N 77.00056 ° W ﻿ / 38.93333 ; - 77.00056 Coordinates : 38 ° 56 ′ 0 '' N 77 ° 0 ′ 02 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 38.93333 ° N 77.00056 ° W ﻿ / 38.93333 ; - 77.00056 Location Washington, D.C. Country United States Denomination Catholic Tradition Roman Rite Website Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception History Status Minor basilica, National shrine Dedication Immaculate Conception Dedicated November 20, 1959 Architecture Architect ( s ) Maginnis & Walsh Architectural type Basilica Style Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Romanesque Groundbreaking 23 September 1920 Completed 8 December 2017 Specifications Capacity 10,000 Length 500 feet ( 150 m ) Width 240 feet ( 73 m ) Nave width 157 feet ( 48 m ) Height 329 feet ( 100 m ) Dome height ( outer ) 237 feet ( 72 m ) Dome height ( inner ) 159 feet ( 48 m ) Dome diameter ( outer ) 108 feet ( 33 m ) Dome diameter ( inner ) 89 feet ( 27 m ) Administration Archdiocese Archdiocese of Washington Clergy Rector Monsignor Walter R. Rossi Priest ( s ) Walter R. Rossi Vito A. Buonanno Michael D. Weston Raymond A. Lebrun Laity Director of music Dr. Peter Latona Organist ( s ) Peter Latona Benjamin Laprarie Nathan Davy Robert Grogan The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception ( Spanish : Basílica del Santuario Nacional de la Inmaculada Concepción ) is a prominent Roman Catholic basilica and national shrine located in Washington, D.C., United States of America. The shrine is the largest Catholic church in the United States and in North America, and the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C. Its construction of Neo-Byzantine architecture began in 1920 with renowned contractor John McShain while the Trinity Dome mosaic marked its completion on 8 December 2017. The basilica is the national and patronal Catholic Church of the United States, honoring the Immaculate Conception as Patroness, accorded by Pope Pius IX in 1847. Pope Pius XI donated a mosaic rendition of the image in 1923. The shrine has merited several Papal visits namely the following : Pope John Paul II raised the National Shrine to the status of Minor Basilica on 12 October 1990. Pope Benedict XVI bestowed a Golden Rose on 16 April 2008. Pope Francis who canonized Saint Junípero Serra, O.F.M. on 23 September 2015. The basilica does not have its own parish community, but serves the adjacent Catholic University of America, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and hosts numerous Masses for various organizations of the Church from across the United States. The basilica is not the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Washington ( See Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle ). The rector of the shrine is the Monsignor Walter R. Rossi. Contents 1 Architecture 2 History 2.1 Patronage of the Immaculate Conception 2.2 Construction ( 1920 -- 1999 ) 2.3 Completion phase ( 2000 -- 2017 ) 3 List of rectors 4 Photo gallery 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External links Architecture The detail of the grand facade of the shrine. The basilica houses 70 chapels honoring Mary and reflecting the origins of the Catholic immigrants and religious orders whose generosity erected them. Its Greek - styled interior is crowned with numerous domes decorated in mosaics, 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 500 ft ( 152 m ) long, 240 ft ( 73 m ) wide, and 237 ft ( 72 m ) tall to the top of the cross on the dome. The diameter of the main ( Trinity ) dome of the basilica is only 7 feet ( 2 m ) smaller than that of the dome of the United States Capitol. The shrine was built in the style of medieval churches, relying on 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 the largest ( in 1959 ) radiant heating slab in the world. In all, 70 chapels and sacred images flank the sides of the upper church and crypt. It contains many works of art. There are arches outlined with iridescent Pewabic Pottery tile, large ceramic medallions set in the ceiling, and fourteen Stations of the Cross for the crypt. History A mosaic rendition of the Immaculate Conception of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez sent by Pope Pius XI in 1923, permanently enshrined at the shrine. Under this Marian title, the Immaculate conception is accorded Patroness since 1847. Patronage of the Immaculate Conception In 1792 John Carroll, the bishop of Baltimore and America 's first Roman Catholic bishop, consecrated the newly created United States under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of The Immaculate Conception. In 1847, the 7th Provincial Councils of Baltimore reiterated this episcopal choice to name the title Virgin Mary, conceived without sin as the principal patroness of the land, which Pope Pius IX formalized on 7 February 1847 and was published on 2 July 1847. Construction ( 1920 -- 1999 ) Bishop Thomas Joseph Shahan, the fourth rector of The Catholic University of America in Washington, 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 15 August 1913. Shahan received the pope 's enthusiastic support and personal contribution of $400 USD ( $10,000 USD adjusted for inflation ). 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 national shrine. 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 Neo-Gothic architectural style, but Shahan opted instead for a Byzantine Revival - Romanesque Revival design. Cardinal James Gibbons, archbishop of Baltimore, blessed the foundation stone on September 23, 1920. More than 10,000 people attended the Mass, including ambassadors, government officials, and military officers. In 1929, the Great Depression halted the construction above the crypt level. The beginning of American involvement in World War II stalled plans even further. Interior view, including the mosaics completed in 2006. After the war, in 1953, American bishops under the leadership of John Noll, archbishop ad personam of Fort Wayne, and Patrick O'Boyle, archbishop of Washington, pledged to raise the funds necessary to complete the upper church of the national shrine. On November 20, 1959, thousands of Catholics gathered with the bishops for the dedication of the Great Upper Church. Since 1968, Papal Tiara of Pope Paul VI has been in display within the crypt department. On 7 October 1979, Sister Theresa Kane R.S.M., former president of the LCWR, issued a formal plea during Pope John Paul II 's Apostolic visit to the United States at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for `` providing the possibility of women as persons being included in all ministries of the church. '' In 12 October 1990, Pope John Paul II raised the national shrine to the status of minor basilica. The papal bull was signed and notarized by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli. It is the 36th designated basilica within the United States. Completion phase ( 2000 -- 2017 ) In August 2006, work was completed on a mosaic covering the Redemption Dome in the Upper Church. Following its completion in the summer of 2007, the Incarnation Dome was blessed on November 17, 2007. A small chapel on the crypt level honoring Our Lady of La Vang ( Vietnam ) was completed in 2006. In 2008, during his apostolic visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI bestowed the Golden Rose upon the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. 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. A mosaic of Saint Maroun and the Crucifixion was copied from the 6th - century Rabboula Maronite manuscript, and was donated by Cardinal Donald Wuerl. The chapel was formally consecrated by Maronite Bishop Gregory J. Mansour on September 23, 2011. On 26 January 2013, the basilica held a televised thanksgiving Mass and enshrined two first class relics of Americans Catherine Tekakwitha and Marianne Cope, who were both canonized October 20, 2012. Pope Francis visited the shrine on 23 September 2015, and celebrated a Mass for the canonization of Junípero Serra, O.F.M. on the mall of The Catholic University of America. The altar, 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 High Altar, and is now used as the altar in the Great Upper Church. On 20 February 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. On 8 December 2017, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the final architectural element was completed with the installation of the 24 tons of Venetian glass in the Trinity Dome, one of the largest mosaics of its kind in the world. Following installation, the dome was dedicated by Cardinal Donald Wuerl. List of rectors Walter R. Rossi -- Rector of the National Shrine Vito A. Buonanno -- Associate Rector and Director of Pilgrimages Michael D. Weston -- Associate Rector and Director of Liturgy Raymond A. Lebrun, O.M.I. -- Spiritual Director Photo gallery Panoramic view of the apse Panoramic view from The Catholic University Mall Interior view of the shrine View of the baldachino altar from the rear Interior of the main dome, prior to 2016 mosaic completion Bishop 's vesting altar in the upper church sacristy Tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel Statue of Pope Saint Pius X Exterior viewed from the east Golden Rose bestowed by Pope Benedict XVI Blessed Sacrament Chapel altar Grave of Bishop Shahan, founder of the Shrine Mosaics above the nave Byzantine - Ruthenian chapel See also District of Columbia portal Catholicism portal Mary, Protector of Faith Sculpture in Mary 's Garden Tiara of Pope Paul VI Top eight Catholic pilgrimage destinations in the United States Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family List of basilicas List of the Roman Catholic cathedrals of the United States List of the Roman Catholic dioceses of the United States Category : Roman Catholic dioceses in the United States ( including ecclesiastical provinces ) Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America References Jump up ^ due to Trinity Dome being finished ^ Jump up to : `` Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception ''. National Shrine. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2011. Jump up ^ `` The National Shrine ''. SkyscraperPage.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2011. Jump up ^ The Washington Monument is taller, but is not a habitable building ). Jump up ^ `` Architectural Style ''. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Archived from the original on 8 February 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2009. Jump up ^ United Press International ( November 8, 1959 ). `` National Catholic Shrine Will be Dedicated Nov. 20 ''. Reading Eagle. Retrieved July 23, 2011. Jump up ^ Clay, Jennifer ( April 2005 ). `` National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception ''. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012 - 04 - 20. Jump up ^ Bruner, Lousie ( July 5, 1977 ). `` Historian, Print Specialist Begin Museum Duties ''. The Blade. Toledo. Retrieved July 23, 2011. Jump up ^ Morgan, David G. ; Promey, Sally M. ( 2001 ). The Visual Culture of American Religions. University of California Press. p. 76. ISBN 978 - 0 - 520 - 22522 - 0. Jump up ^ Morgan ( 2001 ), p. 79. Jump up ^ Dugan, George ( December 1, 1964 ). `` Spellman 's Surprise : Pope 's Tiara Is Here ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ McLaughlin, Moira ( June 23, 2007 ). `` A Work of Art in Many Pieces ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 23, 2011. Jump up ^ Black, Meredith ( June 27, 2008 ). `` Vietnamese Catholics Gather at National Shrine to celebrate their faith ''. Catholic Standard. Retrieved July 23, 2011. Jump up ^ Press release ( April 17, 2008 ). `` Pope, US bishops exchange gifts ''. CatholicCulture.org. Retrieved July 23, 2011. Jump up ^ Szczepanowski, Richard ( September 26, 2011 ). `` New chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lebanon at national shrine ''. Catholic Standard. Jump up ^ Sparke, Andy ( July 23, 2013 ). `` Native Americans celebrate faith, spirituality at Tekakwitha gathering ''. The Catholic Sun. Catholic News Service. Jump up ^ Mena, Adelaide ( June 8, 2015 ). `` An altar for Pope Francis : CUA students ' design to enliven DC Mass ''. Catholic News Agency. Retrieved November 25, 2015. Jump up ^ Wolf, Richard ; Korte, Gregory ( February 20, 2016 ). `` At funeral Mass, Justice Scalia eulogized as a man of faith as well as law ''. USA Today. Jump up ^ Samber, Sharon ( December 9, 2017 ). `` After a century, the largest Catholic church in North America is finally complete ''. USA Today. Retrieved December 10, 2017. Further reading Tucker, Gregory W. ( 2000 - 02 - 01 ). America 's Church : The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Our Sunday Visitor. ISBN 978 - 0 - 87973 - 700 - 9. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Official website Historic American Buildings Survey ( HABS ) No. DC - 859, `` Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue N.W., Washington, District of Columbia, DC '' Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception : Photo Gallery by The Catholic Photographer Sculpture on the exterior of the Basilica ( more than 100 pieces ) www.stainedglassphotography.com -- images of the artwork in the Basilica Preceded by Old Post Office Building ( Washington, D.C. ) Tallest Building in Washington, D.C. 1959 -- present 100m Succeeded by None Tallest buildings by U.S. state AL RSA Battle House Tower AK Conoco - Phillips Building AZ Chase Tower AR Simmons Tower CA Wilshire Grand Center CO Republic Plaza CT City Place I DE River Tower at Christina Landing FL Panorama Tower GA Bank of America Plaza HI First Hawaiian Center ID Eighth and Main IL Willis Tower IN Salesforce Tower IA 801 Grand / Principal Building KS Epic Center KY 400 West Market LA One Shell Square ME Agora Grand Event Center MD Transamerica Tower MA John Hancock Tower MI Renaissance Center MN IDS Center MS Beau Rivage Hotel Casino MO One Kansas City Place MT First Interstate Center NE First National Bank Tower NV The Palazzo NH Manchester City Hall Plaza NJ 30 Hudson Street NM Albuquerque Plaza NY One World Trade Center NC Bank of America Corporate Center ND North Dakota State Capitol OH Key Tower OK Devon Energy Center OR Wells Fargo Center PA Comcast Technology Center RI Industrial National Bank Building SC Capital Center SD CenturyLink Tower TN AT&T Building TX JPMorgan Chase Tower UT Wells Fargo Center VT Decker Towers VA Westin Virginia Beach Town Center WA Columbia Center WV West Virginia State Capitol WI U.S. Bank Center WY White Hall DC Basilica of the Nat'l Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington Churches and parishes Cathedral Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish churches Sacred Heart Church, Bowie St. Ambrose Church, Cheverly St. Francis Xavier Church, Compton St. Mary Church, Newport St. Ignatius Church, Oxon Hill St. Ignatius Church, Port Tobacco St. Mary Church, Rockville St. Ignatius Church, St. Inigoes Holy Trinity Church, Washington Immaculate Conception Church, Washington St. Aloysius Church, Washington St. Augustine Church, Washington St. Patrick 's Church, Washington St. Peter 's Church, Washington St. Stephen Martyr Church, Washington Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Solomons Chapels and shrines Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Pope John Paul II Shrine Shrine of the Sacred Heart Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart Catholic education Higher education Catholic University of America Dominican House of Studies Georgetown University John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family Trinity Washington University Washington Theological Union High schools Academy of the Holy Cross Archbishop Carroll High School The Avalon School Bishop McNamara High School Brookewood School Connelly School of the Holy Child DeMatha Catholic High School Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School Elizabeth Seton High School Georgetown Preparatory School Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School Gonzaga College High School The Heights School Our Lady of Good Counsel High School St. Anselm 's Abbey School St. John 's College High School St. Mary 's Ryken High School St. Vincent Pallotti High School Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Ordinaries Archbishops Michael Joseph Curley Patrick O'Boyle William Wakefield Baum James Aloysius Hickey Theodore Edgar McCarrick Donald Wuerl Auxiliaries John Michael McNamara Patrick Joseph McCormick Philip Hannan William Joseph McDonald John Selby Spence Edward John Herrmann Thomas William Lyons Eugene Antonio Marino Thomas C. 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Question: where is the national shrine of the immaculate conception located
Answer: Washington, D.C., United States of America