Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary
1908-1911
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024
1. Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary Marker
Rafael Guastavino (1872-1950), builder
Joseph Taft, New York, consulting architect
The Rev. Msgr. Christopher Dennen (1855-1939), pastor
Spanish Baroque style church built with R. Guastavino's patented brick and tile vaulting system without the use of steel or wooden beams. Dedicated as a pro-cathedral on April 12, 1912 by James Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore (1834-1921). Renamed St. Mary Church when Diocese of Raleigh was established in 1924. Designated as the Diocesan Shrine of St. Mary on December 6, 2005, and as the Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary on August 2, 2013.
Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1912.
Location. 34° 13.934′ N, 77° 56.59′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Mary Rectory (within shouting distance of this marker); Deans-Maffitt House (within shouting distance of this marker); McGary-Brown-Davis House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop's Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Tileston School (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024
2. Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary Marker
Also see . . .
1. History. The parish history started at the beginning of the nineteenth century when Bishop John England (1786-1842) from Charleston made regular visits to Wilmington celebrating Mass in private homes and sometimes in Protestant churches to a small group of believers. (Basilica of Saint Mary Church and Parish) (Submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. The Basilica of Saint Mary in Wilmington, NC. The Basilica Shrine of St. Mary is a Minor Basilica located in Wilmington, North Carolina, in the Diocese of Raleigh. Father Thomas Davis shows us around the Basilica and gives a good history about the building. its construction, and its place in the Diocese of Raleigh. (Diocese of Raleigh, uploaded June 14, 2024) (Submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
3. Guastavino, Rafael, Sr. (1842-1908).
Unknown via Wikipedia (Public Domain)
3. Rafael Guastavino, Sr. (1842-1908) (PD)
He used his patented Guastavino "Tile Arch System", based on the Catalan vault, in constructing elf-supporting arches and architectural vaults using interlocking terracotta tiles and layers of mortar.
4. Guastavino, Rafael Jr. (1872-1950). Rafael Guastavino, Jr., was born to Rafael Guastavino y Esposito in Barcelona in 1872. Long overshadowed in the public mind by the achievements of his father, Rafael Guastavino, Sr. the younger man has gained scholarly and public attention in recent studies, which depict an important and prolific national career, including some landmarks in North Carolina. (Catherine W. Bishir, North Carolina Architects & Builders biographical dictionary, 2022) (Submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
5. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
6. Wilmington Historic District Boundary Expansion and Additional Documentation (PDF). National Register nomination that expanded the district in 2003. (Prepared by Sherry Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
