A Legacy of Beauty and Inspiration | The Basilica of Saint Mary

It’s an exciting time at The Basilica. We are on the cusp of a once in a lifetime opportunity to leave a legacy of beauty and inspiration for future generations.

As a critical first step, last fall The Basilica Landmark applied for and was awarded a Minnesota Historical Society Legacy grant of $149,000 grant to conduct a structural assessment of our masonry. To receive the full grant amount, we must demonstrate our community’s support for this important work and raise $50,000 as a match toward this important project. Will you help with your donations?

Thanks to this Legacy grant, structural engineers have embarked on the initial stages of an investigation of the conditions of The Basilica’s historic masonry in its attic and building exterior. They will test materials, utilize laser scanning, and conduct a comprehensive evaluation. Funds raised from donations for the required match will help us complete this important structural assessment and receive the full grant amount.

The masonry assessment is key for the well-being and long-term stability of The Basilica and is also an important pre-project that must be completed to support critical future restoration projects.

With donations from people like you, we will continue to uphold the mission of The Basilica Landmark to preserve, restore, and advance the historic Basilica of Saint Mary for all generations.

The Landmark was organized 31 years ago by a visionary interfaith group of parishioners and community members who shared a love for beauty and a commitment to preserve historic buildings. A separate 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, its articles of incorporation spell out a clear purpose. The Basilica Landmark is “dedicated to recognizing and celebrating The Basilica of Saint Mary as an important site listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a religious and cultural symbol for all through educational programs, special events and publications and by encouraging and helping to facilitate the use of the church as a cultural center for secular and liturgical arts.”

In addition to this important work, The Landmark also works to “provide funding for the restoration, maintenance, operation, preservation and enhancement of The Basilica and its historic campus buildings

Will you help us raise the $50,000 match needed to help us qualify for the full Minnesota Historical Society grant to complete this important structural assessment?

We welcome your gifts online using this QR code or via check. We welcome gifts of stock, IRA distributions of Donor Advised Funds, and encourage you to contact the Mission Advancement Office if you have questions about the many ways to make your gift.

As I write, a team of artists from EverGreene Architectural Arts is starting work in The Basilica to test methods of stone cleaning, plaster repair and painting, stained glass restoration and lighting. Combined with what we learn from the structural assessment, the work of these artists will help us plan and develop a timeline and budget for a an exterior and interior restoration of The Basilica that will inspire future generations

“This structural assessment project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.”