The Basilica of St. Mary is a Roman Catholic Church which was the first of its kind in the area, originally called the Church of Immaculate Conception. The structure was constructed from 1907-1913. It was planned by Archbishop John Ireland and architect Emmanuel Masqueray and funded by the efforts of parishioners. One dedicated parishioner - Lawrence S. Donaldson - donated land along Hennepin Avenue and Sixteenth Street for the basilica to be built upon. In 1913, the school was opened for students and the first Mass was observed. During both world wars, improvements on the Pro-Cathedral were halted, and many men and women of the basilica put their effort into aiding the Red Cross. The Basilica was designated a “minor basilica” by Pope Pius XI in 1926 and added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1975. The Basilica of St. Mary was the first such minor basilica in the United States. Restorations began in the early 1990s to update many features, which included replacing the copper dome.
The current address of the Basilica of Saint Mary is 88 17th St N, Minneapolis. MN.