Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a landmark in Northeast Washington. The very large Catholic church is not a cathedral or a parish church. It was begun as a center for Catholic worship in the USA--a national church--and as a shrine to Mary. Regular daily services are held.

Construction began in 1920 but was interrupted by the Great Depression and World War II. Construction resumed in 1954 and the church was completed in 1959. (The Shrine is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2009.)

The architectural style is a mix of Romanesque and Byzantine influences. (Gothic architecture had already been claimed by the Episcopal Church's Washington Cathedral.) Everything is on a grand scale here and the Shrine is noted as one of the ten largest churches in the world. It is 459 ft (140 m) in length, 240 ft (73 m) wide at the transept, and the dome 108 ft (33 m) in diameter.

The interior is colorfully decorated in marble and Byzantine influenced mosaics. Dominating the ceiling of the apse is the mosaic titled Christ in Majesty. Numerous side chapels celebrate Mary in many manifestations and diverse ethnic traditions ranging from African to Vietnamese.

A cafeteria and gift shop are on the lower level as is a separate Crypt Church modeled after the Catacombs. The 329 ft (100 m) campanile houses a 56 bell carillon. Carillon recitals are given on Sunday afternoons.