One of the most interesting styles of architecture to me is Neo-Romanesque. Throughout the United States, this style of architecture can be found on college campuses and in many Catholic Churches. One of the most prominent displays of this style can be found in the architecture of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. When I was in middle school, my family decided to spend Thanksgiving in D.C. We checked all the well-known monuments off our bucket lists and still had time to spare. My dad suggested we take a tour of the Basilica and we all jumped on that idea. Coming from a Catholic family and having attended Catholic Schools my whole life, both the history and significance of the Basilica were very interesting to me.

While walking around the Basilica, I was in awe at the beauty of its design. The high arching ceilings, granite walls and floors, and the beautifully wooden carved benches made it very clear that every last effort was taken to make it as beautiful as possible in the inside.

The Basilica was built in 1920 to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is the largest church in North America, with the ability to hold 10,000 people per service. Bishop Thomas Shahan and Father Bernard McKenna approved the design concepts and hired the Boston firm of Maginnis & Walsh to construct the national shrine, under the supervision of contractor John McShain. The elegance and fine detailing of the Basilica took 41 years to complete, and was opened in 1961.