Central City in Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Saint Mary's Basilica

Photographed By Bill Kirchner

1. Saint Mary's Basilica

Phoenix's First Catholic Church

Inscription.
Phoenix's First Catholic Church
City of Phoenix Monument
Arizona Historical Site
National Landmark

Mother Church of Phoenix

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion.

Location. 33° 27.034′ N, 112° 4.193′ W. Marker is in Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa County. It is in Central City. Marker is on North 3rd Street near East Monroe Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 North 3rd Street, Phoenix AZ 85004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pope John Paul II (within shouting distance of this marker); Father Edouard Gerard (within shouting distance of this marker); Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rosson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Phoenix Union High School World War I Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); The Carriage House (approx. ¼ mile away); Hotel San Carlos (approx. ¼ mile away); First Latter-day Saint Chapel in Phoenix (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phoenix.

Regarding Saint Mary's Basilica. Saint Mary's is the oldest Catholic Church in the Valley founded in 1881 and staffed by

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the Franciscan Friars since 1895. The Basilica sits over the site of the original adobe church. The present church was dedicated in 1915, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, and designated as a Basilica in 1985 by Pope John Paul II.

Also see . . .
1. St. Mary’s Basilica. Wikipedia article on St. Mary’s which includes interior photos. (Submitted on February 21, 2010.)

2. Saint Mary's Basilica Homepage. (Submitted on December 2, 2019, by Tony Gutiérrez of Phoenix, Arizona.)

Saint Mary's Basilica Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner

2. Saint Mary's Basilica Marker

Rectory and marker are located at 231 North 3rd Street.

Saint Mary's Basilica, Phoenix AZ image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael D Martin, November 30, 2010

3. Saint Mary's Basilica, Phoenix AZ

Saint Mary's Church<br>Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 12, 2014

4. Saint Mary's Church
Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission

St. Mary’s Church
1903-1914
Has been placed on the Phoenix Historic
Property Register and the National
Register of Historic Places

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 12, 2014

5. Saint Mary's Basilica

Photo at Top of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

6. Photo at Top of Marker

Original Old Adobe Church
Built 1881

Photo at Bottom of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

7. Photo at Bottom of Marker

Mission Revival Style
Upper church built 1915

St. Mary's School Students Marker image. Click for full size.

8. St. Mary's School Students Marker

[Previously located on the church grounds was St. Mary's School.]
Dedicated with great pride to thousands of children who attended St. Mary's School from 1893-1994; to the positive effect they have made on their community; to their educators who molded them into young Catholic adults, and to their parents who sacrificed for them.

In Honor of The Sisters of the Precious Blood Dayton, Ohio image. Click for full size.

9. In Honor of The Sisters of the Precious Blood Dayton, Ohio

Whose dedicated service to the spiritual and educational formation of the children of St. Mary's School will be forever remembered 1903-1994

The St. Mary's School Entrance Arch and Doors image. Click for full size.

10. The St. Mary's School Entrance Arch and Doors

Teacher's Marker is on left wall, student's on right

His Holiness John Paul II Marker image. Click for full size.

11. His Holiness John Paul II Marker

Presented to the people of Arizona to commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II and honor his quest for world peace.

Donated by Eddie Basha • Herman Chanen • Tom Chauncey • Daniel Cracciolo • Dr. Edward B. Diethrich • Gary Driggs • William P. Gresser • Peter A. Lendrum • James E. Patrick II • Gene E. Rice • Jerry J. Wisotsky and Conley Wolfswinkel.

His Holiness John Paul II Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Thomas Chris English

12. His Holiness John Paul II Sculpture

Photographed By Bill Kirchner

13. Saint Mary's Basilica

Entrance of Church is on East Monroe Street.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner

14. Saint Mary's Basilica

Novatus Benzing Memorial Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 12, 2014

15. Novatus Benzing Memorial Plaque

In Memoriam
1869-1939
The Very Reverend
Novatus Benzing O.E.M.
Priest of God • Educator of Youth
Shepherd of Souls
This Church and these Schools are
His Monuments
St. Mary’s Does Not Forget

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,926 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on April 28, 2013, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 17, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3. submitted on January 14, 2011, by Michael D Martin of Gig Harbor, Washington. 4, 5. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6, 7. submitted on February 18, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on February 16, 2010. 13, 14. submitted on February 17, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 15. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.