Basilica of Saint Mary Museum
Visit the Basilica of Saint Mary Museum!
Discover the rich history of the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
From Our Collection
Current Exhibition: Catholic England
Ongoing at the Basilica of Saint Mary Museum is a temporary exhibit on “Catholic England.” This exhibit offers an overview of the rich history of Catholicism in England, as well as the country’s eventual separation from the Church in Rome. Learn more about the religious persecutions endured by Catholics in England, and why many of them sought the promise of religious freedom in the new American Colonies.
The Basilica in Print
Following the launch of the new parish history book, Brick Chapel to Basilica: A History of Virginia’s Oldest Catholic Parish, the Basilica of Saint Mary Museum hosted a special temporary exhibit on the “History of Saint Mary Histories.” It explored the various history books and written accounts of the parish’s long and fascinating story, from the first history book written in 1874 to its application for the title of minor basilica in 2017. Hosted throughout January and February, 2025, the exhibit is no longer on display.
