Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Basilica of Saint Mary
First Catholic parish
in the
Commonwealth of Virginia
Est.
1795
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.
Location. 38° 48.119′ N, 77° 2.642′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. It is on South Royal Street just south of Duke Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 305A South Royal Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: Saint Mary's Catholic Parish (here, next to this marker); Col. John Fitzgerald (here, next to this marker); Original Manse of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Presbyterian Meeting House Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Presbyterian Meeting House Church Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Old Presbyterian Meeting House Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Major John Carlyle (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Also see . . .
this page online
The Basilica of Saint Mary is a Catholic minor basilica and parish church of the Diocese of Arlington in the Old Town Old and Historic District, of Alexandria, Virginia, United States. The Basilica of Saint Mary is the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia. It was founded in 1795 by the Francis Neale, then the president of Georgetown University (then known as Georgetown College).(Submitted on February 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
On December 6, 2017, Pope Francis designated the parish church as a minor basilica. The decision was announced on January 15, 2018, and the basilica held its inauguration Mass on September 8, 2018.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
