The Basilica of Saint Mary

What The Basilica of Saint Mary does

The Basilica of Saint Mary is a Catholic parish church located at 1600 Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was designated America's First Basilica by Pope Pius XI in 1926 and serves as the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which encompasses approximately 750,000 Catholics across 186 parishes. The parish delivers its core product — Catholic liturgical worship — through weekend and weekday Masses (Saturday 5:00pm; Sunday 7:30am, 9:30am, noon, 5:30pm; weekdays at 7:00am and noon in Saint Joseph Chapel), supplemented by livestreamed services via mary.online.church, faith formation programs (OCIA, sacramental prep, whole-family catechesis), pastoral care ministries (grief, mental health, prayer shawl, homebound Eucharist), and a media portfolio (BasiliCAST podcast, Basilica Magazine, archived Mass recordings).

The organization's underlying "platform" is physical rather than digital: the historic Basilica building, currently undergoing a multi-year restoration ("Restoring Upstairs, Celebrating Downstairs") through approximately April 2027 with liturgies temporarily relocated to Teresa of Calcutta Hall on the lower level. Approximately 85 active volunteer ministries span liturgy, faith formation, Christian life, and administration, generating a reported 2:1 Return on Volunteer Investment. Technology integrations are limited to standard nonprofit SaaS: Blackbaud for donations/event registration, Vimeo and YouTube for video content, and Google/Outlook/iCalendar exports for calendar subscriptions.

Its business and revenue model is a nonprofit faith-and-charitable institution. The Basilica does not publish pricing for its core spiritual services; funding flows from member donations, parish collections, planned giving and legacy gifts, the separate 501(c)(3) Basilica Landmark (formed 1993) for capital restoration, and ancillary earned income — historically including the now-discontinued Basilica Block Party, which raised over $7M over three decades, and currently including the new LUMINISCENCE immersive experience launched with Banijay Americas. Customer segments are twofold: parishioners and the broader Catholic faith community (primary users of worship and formation services) and community members in need served through St. Vincent de Paul outreach ministries, refugee/immigration services, criminal justice and restorative justice programs, and food/housing partnerships with organizations including Catholic Charities, CommonBond Communities, Habitat for Humanity, and Lutheran Social Service. Headcount is 11-50 employees, led by Pastor and Rector Fr. Daniel Griffith (concluding service June 30, 2026) and a Managing Director structure covering Parish Ministries, Parish Operations, and Communications.

Name

The Basilica of Saint Mary

Legal name

The Basilica of Saint Mary

Website

https://mary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Basilica of Saint Mary is a Catholic parish church in Minneapolis, designated America's First Basilica in 1926 and serving as Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It delivers liturgical worship, faith formation, pastoral care, and charitable outreach through ~85 volunteer ministries, currently undergoing a multi-year restoration through 2027.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Basilica of Saint Mary is a Catholic parish church that delivers liturgical worship services (weekend and weekday Masses, holy days, sacraments) both in-person and via livestream, alongside faith formation programs for children, youth, and adults, pastoral care and charitable outreach ministries (including St. Vincent de Paul services and restorative justice programs), and a suite of content products (Basilica Magazine, BasiliCAST podcast, Mass recordings). It functions as the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and as America's first basilica-designated parish (1926).

Product overview

The Basilica of Saint Mary offers a unified portfolio of Catholic parish services centered around liturgical worship, faith formation, pastoral care, and community outreach. Core offerings include regular Mass celebrations (both in-person and via livestream), faith formation programs for all ages, charitable outreach through St. Vincent de Paul ministries, pastoral care services, and volunteer ministry opportunities. The parish also provides media and communications including BasiliCAST podcast, Basilica Magazine, and archived Mass recordings. The Basilica serves as America's first Basilica (designated 1926) and Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, currently undergoing restoration with liturgies held in Teresa of Calcutta Hall on the lower level.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Liturgical Worship Services Regular Catholic Mass celebrations including weekend and weekday services, holy days, and special liturgical celebrations such as Holy Week, Easter, and other feast days; currently conducted in Teresa of Calcutta Hall on the lower level during the 2026–2027 restoration.
• Online Church Livestream Live streaming of liturgies and Mass services for remote participation, available through the online.church platform.
• Faith Formation Programs Religious education programs for children, youth, and adults including sacramental preparation, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), and whole-family catechesis.
• Pastoral Care Services Support ministries including the Emmaus Listening Ministry, Grief Ministry, Mental Health Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, and Eucharist to Homebound services.
• St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Ministries Charitable outreach programs including emergency assistance, Senior Monday, Sandwich Ministry, Side By Side Saturdays, refugee support, and housing assistance for community members in need.
• Restorative Justice Programs Restorative justice ministry including Circle Keeping, a leadership team, and a partnership with the University of St. Thomas Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing directed by Fr. Daniel Griffith.
• Mentoring Programs Mentoring initiatives including Hennepin Connections (mentoring Minneapolis College students) and the Re-entry Mentor Program (supporting individuals returning from incarceration).
• Basilica Magazine Biannual publication featuring articles on Basilica history, spirituality, community stories, and parish life, with featured seasonal themes such as 'Commitment to Next Generation' and 'Building Up and Going Out'.
• BasiliCAST Podcast The Basilica Podcast discussing modern Catholic discipleship and living an intentionally Catholic life in the contemporary world.
• Mass Recordings Recorded archive of past liturgies and Mass services for viewing and spiritual reflection, distributed via the website and YouTube channel.
• Volunteer Ministry Programs Approximately 85 active volunteer ministry opportunities across liturgy, faith formation, Christian life, and administration departments, including immigrant support, liturgical roles, mentoring, and OCIA sponsorship.
• Liturgical Ministries Volunteer liturgical roles including Acolyte, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector, Cantor, Altar Guild, and Minister of Hospitality.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Basilica LandmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized in 1993 to preserve and restore The Basilica of Saint Mary and its campus. A separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the historic preservation and restoration of America's First Basilica.
• Ascension ParishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister parish to the north, the Church of the Ascension has been a mainstay of the near north side of Minneapolis since 1890. One of the most diverse Catholic communities in the Midwest.
• Archdiocese of St. Paul and MinneapoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished as a diocese in 1850, elevated to archdiocese in 1888. Home to approximately 750,000 Catholics in 186 parishes. The Basilica serves as Co-Cathedral.
• Align MinneapoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness. A coalition of 14+ interfaith congregations educating and engaging congregants in the Heading Home Hennepin plan to end homelessness. The Basilica is a founding member.
• Habitat for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1995, The Basilica has worked on Habitat for Humanity houses throughout the community, helping families achieve home ownership.
• CommonBond CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides home, hope and community to 8,000 people with low incomes. The Basilica is working with CommonBond to develop 50 units of new mixed-income/workforce rental housing for families in North Minneapolis.
• Catholic CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides charity, advocacy, and justice programs for children, families, and adults. The Basilica volunteers serve meals at Higher Ground Shelter and Opportunity Center.
• Lutheran Social Service (Refugee Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps resettle refugees, provides low-cost immigration legal services and works with community groups. The Basilica partners to welcome and support refugee families.
• St. Stephens Human ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers housing opportunities, employment support, emergency services and outreach, and systems change work.
• Loaves and FishesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn the fourth Friday of every odd numbered month, Basilica volunteers partner to cook and serve a meal for those facing hunger in North Minneapolis.
• Agate Housing and ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to ending homelessness and relieving hunger in the community.
• University of St. Thomas School of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFr. Daniel Griffith is the Founding Director of the Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing (IRJH) at UST Law. The Basilica hosts events and dialogues co-sponsored with the university.
• St. Catherine UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for educational and community initiatives.
• College of Saint Benedict & Saint Johns UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner institution.
• Northside Achievement ZoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides support 'cradle to career' in North Minneapolis to ensure youth graduate high school college-ready.
• From Death To LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrives to end violence through healing and reconciliation between families of victims and those who have caused harm.
• Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers (MAP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of 50 peace and justice organizations pooling resources and strategies to promote peace and justice. The Basilica is a MAP member.
• Banijay AmericasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched the immersive experience 'LUMINISCENCE' at The Basilica in Minneapolis, after its success in Europe. The performance features light, music, and storytelling about the landmark's history, with proceeds supporting restoration efforts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York): Iconic historic Catholic cathedral in midtown Manhattan serving as both a tourist destination and active parish. Comparable in iconic historic building, urban Catholic identity, large-scale liturgical programming, and ongoing restoration/capital needs.
• Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption (Covington, KY): Historic 19th-century Catholic cathedral basilica in Covington serving Northern Kentucky. Comparable in scale, basilica status, historic preservation needs, and active Catholic parish programming.
• Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles): Catholic cathedral serving the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, combining historic Catholic identity with modern architectural scale. Comparable as a major-metropolitan Catholic cathedral with active parish, social outreach, and event programming.
• Holy Name Cathedral (Chicago): Historic Catholic cathedral serving as the parish seat for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Comparable as a historic urban Catholic cathedral-parish with active liturgical, formation, and outreach programming.
• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: The largest Catholic church in North America and America's preeminent Catholic basilica. Closely comparable in basilica status, large-scale worship programming, historic/ecclesiastical significance, and national visitor traffic.
• Trinity Church Wall Street: Historic Manhattan-based church operating extensive affordable housing, social services, and cultural programming. Comparable as a historic religious institution combining faith identity with large-scale community impact and digital outreach.
• Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis: Historic Catholic cathedral basilica known for its mosaic interior and active parish life. Comparable as a historic Catholic cathedral-basilica with restoration-driven capital campaigns and strong liturgical arts programming.
• Cathedral of Saint Paul: Sister Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, operating as a historic Catholic parish and cathedral in Saint Paul. Directly comparable in ecclesiastical role, scale, historic building status, and archdiocesan governance.
• Old St. Patrick's Church (Chicago): Historic urban Catholic parish in Chicago that has undergone significant capital restoration campaigns. Comparable in scale, historic preservation experience, urban Catholic parish identity, and reliance on major-gift fundraising.
• Washington National Cathedral: Large historic cathedral in the U.S. capital with active worship, education, and social outreach programming. Comparable as a high-profile historic house of worship operating extensive community programs and major capital campaigns.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Basilicampls
• Facebookfacebook.com/BasilicaMpls
• Instagraminstagram.com/basilicampls
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/basilica-of-saint-mary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Basilica of Saint Mary