Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk, Virginia

The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception is in Norfolk, Virginia. Begun in 1791 as Saint Patrick's Church, at first it served French Catholics fleeing the French Revolution, then Irish Catholics. After a fire in 1856, a new church was built and named after the newly approved title "the Immaculate Conception," having been proclaimed dogma by Pope Pius IX. African American Catholics began worshipping here in 1886 when part of the choir loft was reserved for them. The Josephite Fathers came soon after and established a St. Joseph's parish that served the African American community. In 1961, St. Joseph's merged with St. Mary's into one parish. In 1991, the 200th anniversary of the parish, the church was declared a minor basilica. It is a place of special pilgrimage and the only minor basilica in Virginia (there are only 33 other minor basilicas in the United States!).

The parish today is predominantly African-American and is a very active parish. We visited on Palm Sunday in 2025. We found the liturgy profoundly moving. The vibrant, ebullient faith expressed there touch my wife and I deeply, especially with the recent loss of our son to suicide. The priest's homily discussed how Peter and Judas were the same and different. They both betrayed Jesus, Peter probably being worse since he had vowed not to abandon the Lord come what may. They differed in that Judas could not see Jesus extending mercy and forgiveness to him, despairing of the love of God for himself. Peter, even though wracked with guilt, held on to hope. Things turned out alright for Peter in the end. Even though he lived a hard life, he lived a good life in the service of God.

The front of the Basilica

Side view

The nave is breath-taking, with bright light in the sanctuary drawing worshipers forward almost physically.

Nave

The altar has several pictures of holy African-Americans, include Mother Mary Lang, Father Augustus Tolton, and Venerable Pierre Toussaint. 

Main altar

Pulpit, decorated for Holy Week

As a basilica, it has an umbraculum, a ceremonial umbrella that is opened when the Pope visits. It represents his authority and the special connection the church has with the Bishop of Rome.

Umbraculum

The presider's chair

The baptismal font has a dramatic statue behind it, I think of Saint Augustine (an African saint from the 300s and 400s who is one of the greatest theologians of the Catholic Church). 

Baptismal font

This is by the font, really not sure what it represents

The left side altar is dedicated to Our Lady. The right side altar is to Saint Joseph but I was unable to get a picture since the choir was still milling around in front of it.

Mary's altar

First station of the cross

The stained glass is very dramatic and eye-catching. The basics of Christ's life are shown over the sanctuary (birth, death, resurrection). The aisles are lined with windows of Jesus, Mary, and the saints.

Over the altar

What instrument is St. Cecelia playing?

We enjoyed worshiping here very much and highly recommend visiting the basilica if you are in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach/Newport News area.