The Basilica of Saint Mary continually strives to make the church and campus facilities accessible to all parishioners and visitors. If you encounter barriers, or have suggestions, please let us know.
Arriving at The Basilica
Construction Update - Fall 2025
The Basilica is currently undergoing several exterior restoration projects. The church remains open during this time. Please note that some sidewalks and entrances may be temporarily closed as work continues around the campus.
East Accessible Door (Door #24):
- Sidewalk south of Cowley (16th to east door) closed during this time.
- Use alternate sidewalks from Cowley lot.
- East door will remain open but accessed under scaffolding.
Accessible parking
- West side of the church (N. 17th St). Enter the west ground level doors of the church (handicapped accessible entry) Take the elevator up to the sanctuary.
- There is a ramp on the east side of the building.
- Please display your permit. Violators may be towed.
- The Cowley Center lot on east side of the church, enter on N. 16th St. Currently closed due to construction.
(only reserved for handicapped parking on weekends.)
Blue curb marking accessible parking on 17th Street
Cowley lot entrance
Accessible Entrances
- East and west ground level entry doors (under the Hennepin Avenue main stairs) equipped with automatic door openers.
- Church elevator located near west Hennepin entrance for access to all levels of the church.
- Church center east bronze door is equipped with automatic door opener.
Accessible Restrooms
- Located on the church’s ground level and lower level.
Wheelchair availability
- Wheelchairs are available for use in the church located near the Hennepin entrance. Please ask an usher for assistance.
Wheelchair Placement in Church
- The best locations are in front of the first row of pews on the east side of the church or at the break in the pew rows, referred to as the crossing.
Teresa of Calcutta Hall – Lower Level
- Enter through the ground level doors and take the elevator to the Lower Level. From the elevator go through the Gallery to the Teresa of Calcutta Hall.
Accommodations Available
- American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are available for the Sunday 9:30am Mass and other Masses as noted. Please sit in the first pew near the pulpit to view the interpreter. You may request an interpreter for a specific event by calling the parish office at 612.317.3400.
- Hearing assist devices are available from the sound board technician. Please visit the sound board, located near the main entrances, to sign out a hearing device for use during the Mass or service. The devices are connected to our sound system through radio frequency. They do not connect to a hearing aid. If you have questions call the parish office at 612.317.3400.
- Large print worship aids for Mass and special liturgies.
- Tour guide materials in braille.
- Braille-labeled signage in all lower level spaces
- Low-gluten hosts (0.01%) are available by request by speaking with an usher. The recipient will receive the host from the priest.
- Mother’s Room available to nursing women in the Anne and Joachim Room (Bride’s room) on the church’s ground level. Please request access to this space from an usher or custodian. The room is equipped with a sound system to hear Mass by pressing *202 on the telephone (*302) to turn off.
- Marked service animals accompanying their owners are welcome in all Basilica spaces.
Designated Metro Mobility Locations
Please carefully note locations. Metro Mobility must have exact the exact addresses for pick-up and drop-off.
Church
1600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Access at Circle drive on N. 17th St.
Rectory
88 N. 17th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Access at Driveway on N. 17th St. (between Rectory building and small garage)
Cowley Center
15 N. 16th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Access at Parking lot on east side of the church, enter on N. 16th St.
For more information contact Metro Mobility.
Other Campus Buildings
Rectory
Handicapped Entrance with ramp on north side
Elevator offers access to all levels.
Handicapped Restrooms available on all levels. (Not equipped with automatic door openers.)
School
Handicapped Entrance located on west side off of 17th Street.
Elevator offers access to all levels.
Handicapped Restrooms available on all lower level, 1st and 2nd level. (No restroom on 3rd level, Great Hall)
Cowley Center
- Handicapped Entrance on west side
- Public meeting rooms are located on ground level are fully accessible.
- Handicapped Restrooms available on the ground level.
(No Elevator to 2nd level at this time.)
Access and Inclusion Ministry (AIM)
The Access and Inclusion Ministry's mission is to remove barriers that prevent the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and their families in parish life and in the community at large. We do this by ensuring that the Basilica is a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
The Basilica’s AIM:
- We AIM to make our faith accessible
- We AIM to remove barriers
- We AIM to include more people in the work we do
- We AIM to always work to make things better
- We AIM to ensure that everyone feels included regardless of who they are or where they are on their personal and faith journey
We believe that all persons have multiple gifts to share. We also believe that a measure of spiritual and personal growth can come from the purposeful engagement of persons with apparent or with hidden disabilities. This engagement begins with opportunities to increase awareness leading to a realistic understanding of the nature of disabilities--it does not come from pre-conceived notions or from stereotypes portrayed in the media.
A barrier can be defined as anything:
1) serving to obstruct passage or to maintain separation, such as a fence or gate;
2) that prevents or obstructs passage, access, or progress; or
3) that separates or hinders union.
If you have any questions or would like to join our Accessibility and Inclusion Committee, please contact:
Julia Buege-Freeman
Coordinator of Outreach
Julia joined the Basilica staff in 2007. She is a graduate of Mankato State University and has…
MoreAccessibility
Accessibility Access for all
The Basilica of Saint Mary continually strives to make the church and campus facilities accessible to all parishioners and visitors. If you encounter barriers, or have suggestions, please let us know.
Arriving at The Basilica
Construction Update – Fall 2025The Basilica is currently undergoing several exterior restoration projects. The church remains open during this time. Please note that some sidewalks and entrances may be temporarily closed as work continues around the campus.East Accessible Door (Door #24):
- Sidewalk south of Cowley (16th to east door) closed during this time.
- Use alternate sidewalks from Cowley lot.
- East door will remain open but accessed under scaffolding.
Accessible parking
- West side of the church (N. 17th St). Enter the west ground level doors of the church (handicapped accessible entry) Take the elevator up to the sanctuary.
- There is a ramp on the east side of the building.
- Please display your permit. Violators may be towed.
- The Cowley Center lot on east side of the church, enter on N. 16th St. Currently closed due to construction.
(only reserved for handicapped parking on weekends.)
Blue curb marking accessible parking on 17th Street Cowley lot entrance
Accessible Entrances
- East and west ground level entry doors (under the Hennepin Avenue main stairs) equipped with automatic door openers.
- Church elevator located near west Hennepin entrance for access to all levels of the church.
- Church center east bronze door is equipped with automatic door opener.
Accessible Restrooms
- Located on the church’s ground level and lower level.
Wheelchair availability
- Wheelchairs are available for use in the church located near the Hennepin entrance. Please ask an usher for assistance.
Wheelchair Placement in Church
- The best locations are in front of the first row of pews on the east side of the church or at the break in the pew rows, referred to as the crossing.
Teresa of Calcutta Hall – Lower Level
- Enter through the ground level doors and take the elevator to the Lower Level. From the elevator go through the Gallery to the Teresa of Calcutta Hall.
Accommodations Available
- American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are available for the Sunday 9:30am Mass and other Masses as noted. Please sit in the first pew near the pulpit to view the interpreter. You may request an interpreter for a specific event by calling the parish office at 612.317.3400.
- Hearing assist devices are available from the sound board technician. Please visit the sound board, located near the main entrances, to sign out a hearing device for use during the Mass or service. The devices are connected to our sound system through radio frequency. They do not connect to a hearing aid. If you have questions call the parish office at 612.317.3400.
- Large print worship aids for Mass and special liturgies.
- Tour guide materials in braille.
- Braille-labeled signage in all lower level spaces
- Low-gluten hosts (0.01%) are available by request by speaking with an usher. The recipient will receive the host from the priest.
- Mother’s Room available to nursing women in the Anne and Joachim Room (Bride’s room) on the church’s ground level. Please request access to this space from an usher or custodian. The room is equipped with a sound system to hear Mass by pressing *202 on the telephone (*302) to turn off.
- Marked service animals accompanying their owners are welcome in all Basilica spaces.
Designated Metro Mobility Locations
Please carefully note locations. Metro Mobility must have exact the exact addresses for pick-up and drop-off.
Church
1600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Access at Circle drive on N. 17th St.
Rectory
88 N. 17th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Access at Driveway on N. 17th St. (between Rectory building and small garage)
Cowley Center
15 N. 16th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Access at Parking lot on east side of the church, enter on N. 16th St.
For more information contact Metro Mobility.
Campus BuildingsOther Campus Buildings
Rectory
Handicapped Entrance with ramp on north side
Elevator offers access to all levels.
Handicapped Restrooms available on all levels. (Not equipped with automatic door openers.)
School
Handicapped Entrance located on west side off of 17th Street.
Elevator offers access to all levels.
Handicapped Restrooms available on all lower level, 1st and 2nd level. (No restroom on 3rd level, Great Hall)
Cowley Center
- Handicapped Entrance on west side
- Public meeting rooms are located on ground level are fully accessible.
- Handicapped Restrooms available on the ground level.
(No Elevator to 2nd level at this time.)
Access and Inclusion Ministry (AIM)
The Access and Inclusion Ministry’s mission is to remove barriers that prevent the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and their families in parish life and in the community at large. We do this by ensuring that the Basilica is a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
The Basilica’s AIM:
- We AIM to make our faith accessible
- We AIM to remove barriers
- We AIM to include more people in the work we do
- We AIM to always work to make things better
- We AIM to ensure that everyone feels included regardless of who they are or where they are on their personal and faith journey