Central City in Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Pope John Paul II
On September 2, 1985
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 12, 2014
1. Pope John Paul II Marker
Pope John Paul II
On September 2, 1985
Solemnly Proclaimed This Church of
The Immaculate Conception of
The Blessed Virgin Mary
To Be A
Minor Basilica
The Ceremony of Designation
December 8, 1985
Most Rev. Robert F. Sanchez
Archbishop of Santa Fe
Presiding
Most Rev. Thomas J. OBrien
Bishop of Phoenix
Rev. Warren J. Rouse, O.F.M.
Pastor
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is September 2, 1985.
Location. 33° 27.032′ N, 112° 4.17′ W. Marker is in Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa County. It is in Central City. It is on East Monroe Street east of 3rd Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on Saint Mary's Basilica, facing Monroe Street. 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and in the Tohono Oodham Nation. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Gadsden Purchase, and Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Father Edouard Gerard (a few steps from this marker); Saint Mary's Basilica (within shouting distance of this marker); Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Carriage House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Phoenix Union High School World War I Memorial
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rosson House (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Regarding Pope John Paul II. While on his American visit, His Holiness John Paul II (now Pope Saint John Paul II) visited St. Marys kneeling in prayer in the center aisle and speaking to the crowd from the balcony on September 14, 1987.
On September 6, 1976, St. Marys was named an historic site by the Arizona Historical Society. On October 17, 1977, the church was added to the State Inventory of Historic Places of Arizona. St. Marys was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 29, 1978.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 12, 2014
2. St. Mary's Basilica History
Basilica website entry
(Pope John Paul II marker, vislble on left side of the photo)
Click for more information.
(Pope John Paul II marker, vislble on left side of the photo)
Click for more information.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 12, 2014
3. Saint Mary's Basilica Franciscan Friars Plaque
(located near marker)
(located near marker)
Saint Mary's is the oldest Catholic Church in the Valley founded in 1881 and staffed by the Franciscan Friars since 1895. The Basilica sits over the site of the original adobe church. The present church was dedicated in 1915, declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978 and designated a Basilica in 1985 by Pope John Paul II.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 764 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
