Welcome to the Basilica

Welcome Home

YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR OUR EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS

Our Parish Family, Pastoral Leadership Team and all of our Staff, want to extend a warm welcome to you.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception was founded in 1854, and was the first church named after Pope Pius IX declared the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1854 The church, however, became a victim of the Civil War, when Union soldiers sacked and burned the Church. Following the war, the growing Catholic community built another beautiful church on the same site and dedicated it in 1871. This second church would last for 32 years, when it was consumed by flames once again in the Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901. In 1910, the parishioners celebrated the opening of the third church with great fanfare. This is the beautiful House of God that now rises over downtown Jacksonville.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception has a rich history as one of the oldest Catholic Church’s in north Florida. It is without doubt a magnificent testimony to the faith of the Catholic community of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, who desired a place to worship and from which to share the Gospel. To accomplish their goals, they spared no expense an willing sacrificed for the salvation of all.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception continues to be a spiritual home, a light of Christ in the City, and a refuge to sinners seeking the mercy of God loves outpoured.

Water Pipe / Window Replacement
Fundraising Project

TOTAL RAISED AS OF May 20th, 2019 = $44,367.00
TOTAL FUNDRAISING GOAL FOR THIS PROJECT = $50,000.00

Over the past 1.5 years we have been blessed to be able to accomplish several immediate and long term financial & facility stewardship goals.

Lower overall general expenses
Lower utility expenses by 30%
Eliminate several outstanding debts
Lower current major loan for Hall Renovation
Identify and eliminate several 'maintenance' issues
Identify major 'maintenance' issues, get work estimates and engage in solutions such as: Air Conditioning Equipment major maintenance, eliminating the termite infestation of the Rectory / Office last summer; the re-piping of the Rectory; planning for the replacement of all windows (Rectory / Office)
Grow a savings account
Grow the Endowment Fund

The pipes in the Rectory were replaced in May and we are preparing to have the windows upgraded / replaced this August / September.

We are still looking for more parishioners and faithful of the Basilica to contribute to the Window / Pipe project, as we have yet to receive total funding from donations. We are hoping to avoid using funds from the savings account to complete the project.

Soon, it is hoped, we will be ready as a faith community and enjoying fiscal stability in order to begin the work of preparing and launching a Capital Campaign for the necessary Renovation / Restoration work that will ensure the Basilica stands and remains a vibrant parish community for generations to come.

Thank you for your support.