The Basilica Landmark

09/04/2026

Construction crews are deep into the $50 million effort to restore the iconic Basilica of Saint Mary, revitalizing the historic structure on the edge of downtown Minneapolis.

The project is the most comprehensive restoration undertaken at the Basilica since the church at 88 N. 17th St. opened in 1914. The project team, led by the Minneapolis office of J.E. Dunn Construction Co. and Minneapolis-based architecture firm HGA, is working to restore the decorative and structural elements of the church to sustain it for future generations.

Construction crews are deep into the $50 million effort to restore the iconic Basilica of Saint Mary, revitalizing the historic structure on the edge of downtown Minneapolis.

08/26/2026

Restoring the Monument Front Stairs: Crews carefully removed the Vermont granite stair treads using a crane. Each tread was numbered and kept in sequence to ensure it can be returned to its original position.

Over time, the original support structure beneath the stairs had completely deteriorated, putting the structural integrity of the stairs at risk. The underlying support structure will be completely rebuilt, and the original granite treads will then be carefully reinstalled.

08/17/2026

The restoration of the nation's oldest basilica is at full tilt. Director of Liturgy and the Sacred Arts at the Basilica of Saint Mary, Johan van Parys, talks about the progress with Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield on WCCO Sunday Morning at 7 a.m.

The restoration of the nation's oldest basilica is at full tilt. Di...

08/13/2026

Reinstalling Stained Glass Windows: The Basilica’s beautiful clerestory stained glass windows, which tell the story of Mary’s life, are being restored as part of the comprehensive restoration project. Each bay of windows is carefully removed and transported in crates to the Femenella & Associates studio in New Jersey, where damaged glass and leading are repaired. Every window receives a detailed inspection and thorough cleaning before being shipped back to Minneapolis.

Once repaired, glaziers from Northeast Stained Glass carefully reinstall each panel from the 75-foot scaffolding structure. This meticulous, labor-intensive process is repeated for each window throughout The Basilica.


Stained Glass, LLC

08/07/2026

Installation of the new maple hardwood floor planks, milled in Wisconsin, began in July. Crews from Duanes Floor Service began the multi-week installation process. Before the hardwood flooring was laid, the concrete subfloor was leveled and a protective underlayment was installed.

The new floor is being installed in two phases. The first half of the nave is currently being completed, while the second half will be installed after the scaffolding is moved in September.

The next steps include sanding the entire floor to create a smooth, uniform surface. Once sanding is complete, crews will cut openings for the ventilation ducts and apply the stain and protective finish.

08/06/2026

Thank you to KSTP and Johan van Parys for sharing the story of this historic project — a once-in-a-generation effort to preserve America’s First Basilica and its sacred beauty for the future.

07/24/2026

Bringing Back the Blue: Painters from EverGreene Architectural Arts recently brought back the first strokes of blue to The Basilica's magnificent ceiling. This radiant blue represents Mary and restores vibrancy to the architectural details overhead.

The rich blue, gold, and red details have made the ceiling a masterpiece for more than a century. Over the next nine months, skilled craftspeople will work high above the nave, carefully restoring every detail.

As layers of paint are uncovered throughout the restoration, original decorative details continue to emerge. Each discovery helps guide the restoration, bringing the ceiling back to the beauty seen at the first Mass in 1914.
EverGreene Architectural Arts

07/17/2026

Cleaning the Apostles: Crews are cleaning every inch of The Basilica, including the marble statues of the apostles that surround the Sanctuary. Carved in Italy, they are half-scale replicas of the statues in Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome.
Rather than scrubbing the stone with soap and water, conservators use a specialized conservation material that is applied to the marble. Once it cures, the latex-like layer is carefully peeled away, lifting decades of dirt and grime while preserving the marble's original finish. The process is labor-intensive and takes significant time to complete all 12 apostles.
(Saint Thomas sprayed with cleaning product that will be peeled off.)
Photos: Ken Fournelle

07/11/2026

The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis is undergoing a massive $50 million restoration.

07/08/2026

It's been three months since construction started at the oldest Basilica in the country. The $50 million renovation is a total refresh to the Minneapolis church that was built in 1914. They are touching every square inch with a hard deadline of Easter 2027. Much to the surprise of the parish, they unearthed a treasure along the way. Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield and Photojournalist Drew Schingen go to great heights to show you what they discovered. It's a story you'll see only on WCCO.

It's been three months since construction started at the oldest Bas...