On Easter, thousands of worshippers packed the Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis for what will be the last upstairs Mass for about a year, as parish leaders prepare to shut the sanctuary for a major restoration. The church says the $45 million overhaul starts after Holy Week, with regular worship shifting downstairs to Teresa of Calcutta Hall while crews get to work. Parish leaders describe the project as a long-awaited push to stabilize the building and bring back its historic finishes.
“When I started here about 30 years ago, the pastor at the time said, ‘Look at this church, it needs to be restored,’ and I’ve waited for 30 years, and finally we’re going to do this restoration,” Johan van Parys, the Basilica’s director of liturgy and the sacred arts, said. He told reporters that dirt, peeling paint, and protective screens to catch falling plaster are scattered through the nave, and that conservators have uncovered decorative painting that the project is set to restore. As KSTP notes, the basilica has not seen this level of restoration work since around 1950.
What the work will do
The renovation will tackle both the inside and outside of the landmark. Plans call for cleaning the stone exterior, replastering and repainting the ceilings, repairing stained-glass windows, and replacing doors and liturgical furnishings. Father Daniel Griffith has also outlined a new altar, upgraded acoustics and audio-visual systems, and exterior fixes that include rebuilding the monumental stairs and brass doors. Those details match the scope described by WCCO.
Funding and timeline
The basilica pegs the overall price tag at roughly $45 million and says parishioners will cover most of it. The church has already raised about $35 million and is still seeking donations, according to KSTP. Van Parys told reporters crews will “touch every square inch” of the sanctuary and estimated the work will take about one year.
The campaign site notes that while the sanctuary is under construction, the Basilica’s primary worship space will be Teresa of Calcutta Hall on the lower level, and that parish communications will share details on schedules and donations as the project rolls forward: RestoreOurBasilica.org.
Why this matters
The Basilica of Saint Mary, designed by architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray, opened in 1914 and was the first building of its kind in the United States, according to the City of Minneapolis. Its soaring nave and ornate finishes make it both a religious hub and a civic landmark. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and can seat nearly 3,000 worshippers.
How culture and community are helping
To help cover the restoration costs, the Basilica has leaned on events and cultural programming. Organizers say the Luminiscence light and sound series at the church will send a share of its proceeds to the campaign, and the long-running Basilica Block Party has historically brought in millions for upkeep. Twin Cities Business and other local coverage have outlined how immersive shows and benefit events are being used to bolster the effort…