Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is America's preeminent Roman Catholic Marian shrine in Washington, D.C., serving Catholic faithful through daily worship, pilgrimages, sacred music, and tours of its 80+ chapels and mosaic-covered domes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1920
- Headquarters—
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception does
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic religious nonprofit institution located at 400 Michigan Avenue NE in Washington, D.C., founded with its foundation stone laid in 1920 and formally dedicated in 1959. Designated as a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1990, it functions as the preeminent Roman Catholic Marian shrine in the United States and the national patroness shrine under the title of the Immaculate Conception. The institution serves individual Catholic faithful, ethnic Catholic communities, dioceses, religious orders, and educational/cultural visitors through daily and Sunday Mass (including Spanish-language services at 2:30 pm), confession, prayer requests, candle lighting devotions, organized pilgrimages, guided and virtual tours, sacred music programs, and devotional merchandise.
The Basilica's core physical infrastructure comprises over 80 chapels and oratories representing peoples from every corner of the globe, five major domes depicting the New Testament narrative timeline, and the Trinity Dome mosaic spanning 18,299 square feet with nearly 15 million pieces of colored glass crafted by Italian artisans. Its sacred music program is anchored by four pipe organs totaling nearly 10,000 pipes and a 56-bell carillon housed in the Knights Tower at 329 feet, supporting a Summer Organ Recital Series running since the 1970s under Director of Music Peter Latona. Digital extensions include online Mass livestreaming, an interactive virtual tour platform, a content blog, the Mary's Shrine Newsletter, and Instagram/YouTube channels that broaden reach beyond the single physical site.
The revenue model is donation-based with no admission fee for worship services. Funding flows through structured channels including the Annual Fund, 1909 Society membership program, seasonal enrollments, candle lighting donations, the Shrine Prayer Guild, and a National Shrine Shops online storefront selling devotional items. The institution is led by Rector Reverend Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, supported by approximately 51 employees across liturgical, musical, pilgrimage, and curatorial functions. It is not a commercial enterprise and has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no public funding instruments; stewardship rests with the Catholic Church's ecclesiastical authorities.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
- Legal name
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
- Website
- https://nationalshrine.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1920
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is America's preeminent Roman Catholic Marian shrine in Washington, D.C., serving Catholic faithful through daily worship, pilgrimages, sacred music, and tours of its 80+ chapels and mosaic-covered domes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Institution Services
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (81311), Historical Sites (712120)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Religious Landmarks & Pilgrimage Sites (Temples, Churches, Shrines) (THAJACAG)
Keywords
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic church and Marian shrine providing daily and Sunday Mass (including Spanish-language services), confession, and the sacraments to the Catholic faithful. It offers pilgrimage hosting, guided and virtual tours, sacred music programs featuring four pipe organs and the Summer Organ Recital Series, candle lighting devotions, prayer request services through the Shrine Prayer Guild, and sale of devotional items including rosaries, prayer cards, and enrollment cards through its online gift shop.
Product overview
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is America's Catholic Church and the preeminent Roman Catholic Marian shrine in the United States. It offers religious and spiritual services including daily and Sunday Mass (with Spanish-language services), confession, online livestreaming of Mass, virtual tours, and in-person guided tours. The shrine provides pilgrimage opportunities for various Catholic communities, sacred music programs featuring its famous pipe organs and Summer Organ Recital Series, candle lighting devotions, prayer request services through the Shrine Prayer Guild, and religious merchandise including devotional books, prayer cards, rosaries, and enrollment cards through its shops.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City): The global center of Catholic worship and the highest-profile Catholic basilica. Comparable as the apex Catholic worship site, though broader in scope and under direct Vatican authority rather than a US national shrine.
Direct peers
- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles): Modern US Catholic cathedral serving as the seat of the LA Archdiocese. Comparable as a major American Catholic worship and pilgrimage site with daily Masses, sacred music programming, and tourism infrastructure.
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes: Premier international Catholic Marian pilgrimage site in France. Comparable as a globally significant Marian shrine with heavy pilgrimage volume, devotional commerce, and large-scale liturgical programming.
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur, Paris): Major Catholic basilica in Paris functioning as both active parish and major tourist pilgrimage destination. Comparable as a basilica combining daily worship, tourism, sacred music, and panoramic-observation programming (similar to Knights Tower).
- St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York: Iconic US Catholic cathedral and major tourist destination in NYC. Comparable as a high-profile American Catholic worship site combining daily Mass, large-scale pilgrimage/tourism, sacred music, and digital outreach.
- Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima: Major Portuguese Catholic Marian pilgrimage complex. Comparable as a destination Catholic shrine drawing international pilgrims with associated basilica, devotional commerce, and recurring anniversary events.
- Shrine of Our Lady of Knock (Ireland): International Catholic Marian pilgrimage shrine in Ireland. Comparable as a destination Marian pilgrimage site with active worship, devotional programs, and visitor infrastructure.
- Holy Hill — Basilica of Mary Help of Christians: Wisconsin-based Catholic Minor Basilica and Marian pilgrimage site. Comparable as a US Catholic Minor Basilica with pilgrimage programming, tower observation, devotional retail, and year-round visitation.
- Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mexico City's Catholic basilica and one of the world's most-visited Marian pilgrimage shrines. Directly comparable to the National Shrine as a national-scale Catholic basilica centered on Marian devotion, pilgrimage flows, and sacred art/mosaics.
Regional players
- Washington National Cathedral: The Episcopal cathedral located in Washington, D.C. Comparable as a large, historic religious landmark in the same city combining daily worship, sacred music, tour programs, and national-cultural significance — although Episcopal rather than Catholic.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception social profiles
Digital presenceBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
What does Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception do?
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic church and Marian shrine providing daily and Sunday Mass (including Spanish-language services), confession, and the sacraments to the Catholic faithful. It offers pilgrimage hosting, guided and virtual tours, sacred music programs featuring four pipe organs and the Summer Organ Recital Series, candle lighting devotions, prayer request services through the Shrine Prayer Guild, and sale of devotional items including rosaries, prayer cards, and enrollment cards through its online gift shop.
Is Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception a public or private company?
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception founded?
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was founded in 1920. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Who are Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception's main competitors?
St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City) is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles), Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur, Paris), St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Shrine of Our Lady of Knock (Ireland), Holy Hill — Basilica of Mary Help of Christians and Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Washington National Cathedral is listed as a regional player.
Does Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception have an API?
No public API is recorded for Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
What industry is Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in?
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception's product category is Religious Institution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAL, Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites), with a secondary code of THAJACAG, Religious Landmarks & Pilgrimage Sites (Temples, Churches, Shrines). Its NAICS code is 81311.