Basilica of St. Mary (Alexandria, Virginia)
| Basilica of Saint Mary | |
|---|---|
Basilica of St. Mary, in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia | |
| Location | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Sui iuris church | Latin Church |
| Website | StMaryOldTown.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1795 |
| Founder(s) | Very Rev. Francis Ignatius Neale, SJ |
| Dedication | Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Neo-Gothic |
| Completed | 1827 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Arlington |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge |
| Rector | Very Rev. Edward C. Hathaway |
| Vicar(s) | Rev. Fr. Joseph Townsend; Rev. Fr. Peter Clem, YA |
The Basilica of Saint Mary is a Catholic minor basilica and parish church of the Diocese of Arlington in the Old Town Old and Historic District, of Alexandria, Virginia, United States. The Basilica of Saint Mary is the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia. It was founded in 1795 by the Francis Neale, then the president of Georgetown University (then known as Georgetown College).
On December 6, 2017, Pope Francis designated the parish church as a minor basilica. The decision was announced on January 15, 2018, and the basilica held its inauguration Mass on September 8, 2018.
The church houses the venerated 19th century image of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, which was enthroned in 1895 during the centennial celebration as a parish. In line of the 230th founding anniversary of the church, the image was given an episcopal coronation on 8 December 2024 by His Excellency, Most Reverend Michael Francis Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington.