Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Church

Address: 400 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017, United States

Website: https://www.nationalshrine.org

Hours: Daily 7:00am-6:00pm (times can vary for services and special events)

Admission: Free admission (donations accepted); special events or tours may have fees

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a large Catholic basilica in Washington, D.C., located on the campus of the Catholic University of America. It is the national shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is the largest Catholic church in the United States by interior area.

The complex contains an upper church with a large domed nave and a lower crypt church, together with numerous chapels and extensive mosaic decoration. The basilica is noted for its many national and devotional chapels and its large, formal interior spaces designed for pilgrimages and liturgical ceremonies.

Construction began in the early 20th century, with the crypt church completed first and major portions of the upper church finished by the mid 20th century; additional decorative work and chapels were completed over subsequent decades. The shrine functions as both an active place of worship and a site for national religious events.

The basilica sits in Northeast Washington, D.C., a short distance from the Brookland neighborhood and the Catholic University campus, accessible by local transit and car.

• Size and construction: Construction began in the early 20th century, with major portions completed mid-century; the basilica is the largest Catholic church in the United States by interior area.
• Visiting tips: Public tours and guided visits are available; weekday mornings and early afternoons outside major feast days tend to be less crowded for viewing mosaics and chapels.

What to See#

• Great Upper Church: The Great Upper Church features the main nave, marble altars, and the large domed ceiling decorated with mosaics and artwork; it is the primary worship and visitor space.
• Crypt Church: The lower Crypt Church is an earlier, smaller worship space beneath the upper basilica that contains chapels and devotional displays used for daily services.
• Mosaics and chapels: Extensive mosaic decoration and chapels dedicated to saints and national patronages are distributed through the basilica complex and are a major draw for visitors.

The basilica is about 15-20 minutes by car from downtown Washington, DC. Metro riders can use the Brookland-CUA station on the Red Line; it’s a short walk of about 10-15 minutes from the station to the basilica’s entrance. Street parking and local buses serve the area as well.

• Attend a noon Mass or one of the organ recitals to hear the basilica's acoustics at their best
• Visit after exploring the National Mall-the basilica is a short walk from Catholic University and close to the Brookland neighborhood
• Climb the crypt area to see chapels dedicated to U.S. military chaplains and stained-glass windows commemorating national Catholic communities