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Introduction
The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception began construction in 1920 and finally opened unfinished in 1959 it was delayed due to the Depression and World War II and did not resume construction until 1954. the shrine was built in honor of the virgin Mary. the Basilica reached a stunning size of 77,500 square feet the largest Roman Catholic Church in the US The Basilica is known for its stunning architecture and sacred art and brings in over 1 million people each year.
Video
Pictures
History/ Interesting Facts
There are three windows on the church called the rose windows. Each of these windows is dedicated to an angel for example the window on the south end of the Basilica is dedicated to the angel Gabriel.
The Great Upper Church is the main attraction to the Basilica. It holds the largest mosaic of Jesus in the world. On the sealing of the Great Upper Church there are three domes called the Trinity, Redemption, and Knights of Columbus dome. The Trinity Dome is the largest dome in the Basilica and remains unfinished today. The Redemption Dome represents the four redeeming acts of Jesus the temptation in the desert, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension into heaven. The Knights of Columbus Dome mosaic depicts the incarnation, the annunciation, the nativity, and the transfiguration of Jesus.
In the Basilica there is a special church called the Crypt. in this church there is an altar made of translucent gold and onyx. this altar weighs two and a half tons and in it is carved a picture of Jesus and his twelve disciples.
At the back of the Basilica there is a path that leads to Mary's Garden which features a life size statue of marry , a reflecting pool, and fountain. This garden is tended to three times daily.
bibliography
www.natinalshrine.com
Links
virtual tour
Link 1