Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a prominent Roman Rite Catholic basilica located in Washington, D.C., United States of America, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the principal Patroness of the USA.The shrine is the largest Catholic church in the United States, the eighth largest church building in the world, and the tallest habitable building in Washington,Construction of this church, notable for its Neo Byzantine architecture, began in 1920 under Philadelphia contractor John McShain.It opened unfinished in 1959.An estimated one million pilgrims visit the basilica each year.