Phoenix St. Mary's Basilica celebrates 100 years

Once the tallest building in downtown Phoenix, St. Mary's Basilica now stands in the shadow of the Phoenix Convention Center and Chase Field.

But to those who treasure the church, its cultural, emotional and architectural value give it great significance.

On Tuesday, hundreds gathered at the church at the corner of Third and Monroe streets to mark the centennial of the basilica's dedication, which included a Mass and reception featuring music and food.

The celebration was an echo of the original Feb. 11, 1915, dedication, when church officials aimed to honor St. Mary's service to the Catholic Church and its ministry to the Valley. The original church had been a small adobe building dedicated in 1881.

St. Mary's Basilica, which today has about 800 active members, is an everlasting beacon for parishioners as a symbol of faith and community service in Phoenix, said Jerome Doris, the basilica's parish manager. The church also donated money to help launch St. Mary's Food Bank, which today hands out about 40,000 emergency food boxes each month.

The church has been the site of momentous events, including the Sept. 14, 1987, visit from Pope John Paul II. Tens of thousands came from across Arizona and the country for the papal appearance. The crowd cheered as he stood on the balcony of the basilica and looked upon the faithful as they waved yellow-and-white papal flags below.

But more than anything, the church has been the site of everyday Christian service to its members. For many, it is where they come for Mass, for weddings and memorials, to celebrate Easter or to mark the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday.

Luci Perez, a volunteer, comes to admire the church's Romanesque design.

"It's not modern, it feels warm and gives me a sense of peace," she said. "I love the beautiful altar, the stained glass, seeing the saints. You walk in, and you know that's where you're supposed to be."

Perez is proud that the church reaches out to the community.

Over the years, the basilica has served the needy, whether passing out sandwiches to the homeless or holding a memorial for the impoverished who died in the Valley's heat.

Camela Fishgold, a pastoral associate at the basilica, said the church strives to be there for the community. "It is so welcoming to anybody," she said. "It can give a warm feeling to anyone, regardless of their faith. And it is so beautiful. It is like a gem in middle of the desert."

Doris said the church's beauty has drawn many admirers, especially for its dozens of stained glass windows, many of which depict scenes in the life of the Blessed Virgin.

When David Martinez III, chairman of the parish pastoral counsel, opens the double wooden doors of the church, he feels a connection across time. "It is an emotional connection to what the church is about," he said. "Going there on Sunday morning for Mass is like therapy for me. It is a chance to recharge for the coming week and to be at peace with myself and my community.

"The church is a symbol of a strong and prosperous church," Martinez said. "As downtown Phoenix has completely changed, the church has stood much the same for 100 years. We aim to be that beacon of light."