The Basilica of Saint Mary
Founded in 1795, the Basilica of Saint Mary, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is the first Catholic parish in the Commonwealth of Virginia and West Virginia, which were one state territory up until 1863. President George Washington made the first contribution for the creation of a Catholic parish in Virginia in the late 1700s, equivalent to approximately $1,200 today. A donation was made for a portion of land at the sound end of the city on Church and South Washington Streets. It was here that the first brick structure known as the Church of Saint Mary was built under the guidance of the Very Reverend Francis Ignatius Neale, S.J. in 1795. The land later became, and still remains today, the Basilica of Saint Mary’s cemetery, the first Catholic cemetery in Virginia.
In 1810, the parish moved to its present location in the heart of the city at 310 South Royal Street. By 1826, Pastor Fr. Joseph Fairclough erected the Sanctuary and the major portion of the present-day church, which was for
Fr. Hathaway's Welcoming Remarks at Our 230th-Year Anniversary Gala
The Basilica's Schola Cantorum Performs during Our 230th-Year Anniversary Gala
Basilica School Students Sing as Part of Our 230th-Year Anniversary Gala
A Conversation between Gen. Washington and Col. Fitzgerald at Our 230th-Year Anniversary Gala
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events (Nov. 14-18, 2025)
Fr. Royston Price Shares an Overview of the Parish Mission He's Leading from Nov. 12-14, 2025
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Nov. 1-November 12, 2025
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Oct. 17-November 7, 2025
Spotlight on the Legion of Mary
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Oct. 10-Oct. 30, 2025
Basilica of Saint Mary Oktoberfest 2025
Basilica's Music Director Invites All to Attend a Concert Featuring Grammy Award-Winning Organist
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Oct. 3-Oct. 24, 2025
Basilica of Saint Mary's Pilgrimage to Port Tobacco, Maryland
Spotlight on Vocations and the Serra Club of Arlington, Featuring Basilica Parishioner Mary Petrino
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Sept. 26-October 24, 2025
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Sept.19-Sept. 27, 2025
Father Searby Shares about His Five-Part Series on Beauty, Which Begins Sept. 16, 2025
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Sept.12-Sept. 20, 2025
Celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Basilica Courtyard
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Sept. 5-Sept. 13, 2025
Beautiful New Mosaic Tiles Installed at the Basilica's Queen of Heaven Columbarium
Basilica Parishioner Shares Background History about the New Mosaic Tiles at the Parish Columbarium
The Basilica Priests Play Basilica-opoly & Encourage Parishioners to Buy the Anniversary Board Game
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Aug. 29-Sept. 6, 2025
Faith Matters for August 21, 2025, Featuring Father Hathaway
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Aug. 22-Aug. 30, 2025
The Basilica of Saint Mary's Upcoming Events from Aug. 15-Aug. 23, 2025