The lower portion of the armorial shield pertains to the great Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier. A chevron divides this portion of the shield. To the right is a bell such as the one Francis Xavier used to summon converts for instruction in his missionary journeys, extending from India to Japan. To the left is the galleon, typifying the missionary’s voyages over the seven seas. The Rose Window and the Organ The rose window above the organ was installed in 1959. It replaces a conventional church window on which the framework had become deteriorated. An Indian motif was selected in recognition of Indian habitation in this area 150 years earlier. The second organ in the basilica, which replaced the original one, was installed in July 1971. This 37 rank organ is a custom-made instrument designed for the basilica by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois.
The History of the Basilica
A Coat of Arms is symbolic of the special characteristics of either a person or a community. The heraldic shield of the Dyersville community, located above the pulpit, is surmounted by the Papal canopy. The chief, which is in the upper cross section of the shield, has the colors of the United States flag—red, white and blue.
Basilica Statistics • Height of each spire: 212 feet • Exterior dimensions: 70 x 175 feet • Height of the church: 76 feet • Height of the side walls: 40 feet • Base of each spire: 20 feet square • Gold leafed crosses: 6 feet, 8 inches wide and 14 feet high • Face of the clock diameter: 6 feet • Height of the main altar: 52 feet • Seating capacity: 1,200 • Parish Families: 1,800 • Parishioners: 5,000 • Original construction cost: $100,000 • Handicap accessibility addition in 1980: $130,000
Photo taken by CM Photography & Design
of Arms or Armorial Shield. Armorial insignias are of military origin and are a by-product of feudalism of the Middle Ages. Later, they were attached to documents of charters, authenticating land holdings. Finally, shields of arms were adopted by ecclesiastical dignitaries and religious communities.
St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa Open Daily. Group tours available by appointment: 563-875-7325
Photo taken by CM Photography & Design
In September 1887, construction of the Basilica began and on December 3, 1889, the new church was dedicated by Bishop Hennessy of Dubuque, with an estimated 6,000 people attending the dedication. St. Francis Xavier Basilica is one of 53 basilicas in the United States.
basilicas. The Major basilicas, of which there are only five, and are all in Rome. The best known is St. Peter’s. The Basilica of St. Mary’s in Minneapolis was the first church in the United States to be raised to the rank of a Minor basilica in 1926. St. Francis Xavier was the twelfth church in the country to be honored as a Minor basilica. This is unique because it is one of three in a rural area; all the others are in metropolitan areas.
Photo taken by CM Photography & Design
Basilica Honors Bestowed In the centennial year of the first mass in Dyersville, the church was raised to the rank of Minor basilica by Pope Pius XII, on May 11, 1956. This was done in recognition of the architectural attributes of the church and the fervent faith of the congregation. The formal conferring happened on November 8, 1956, amid great solemnity and with a large number of parishioners and distinguished guests.
The pavilion or the umbrella, is so constructed that it cannot be fully opened since it is not expected that the Pope will ever visit here. The origin of the pavilion dates back to a period when a sun shade was held over oriental potentates when they appeared in public ceremonies. Eventually, the church adopted the use of the umbrella, in the early days restricting its use only to Rome. Later the pavilion tradition was extended to Minor basilicas outside of Rome. The origin of the bell is not so clear. It was probably used for announcing the beginning of a clerical procession to meet the Pope at the basilica doors. The bell, which is small and elaborately mounted, is symbolic of a portable belfry. The Papal insignia, namely the key and the tiara, are surmounted on the bell arch. Both the pavilion and the bell are carried during all processions, inside and outside of the church. When not in use, they are placed in open view in the sanctuary.
Basilica – Origin and Significance The term basilica is a Greek derivation from “basileus”, meaning a royal or kingly building. In the days of the pagan Roman Empire, most cities had a large building of special architectural design to accommodate large audiences for orators, called basilicas.
Sanctuary Ceiling A masterpiece of special interest is on the ceiling over the main altar, which was done in 1905, by a Milwaukee brother and sister. The central figure, representing the radiant Lamb of God, is surrounded by celestial angels. To the right are saints of the Old Testament and to the left are saints of the New Testament. The design and colors are original.
Consecrated Church The 12 candle brackets and gold painted crosses at eye level along the interior walls signify that this is a consecrated church. The candles, brackets and crosses, are symbolic of the teaching of the Twelve Apostles. To qualify for consecration of its church, a parish must be debt-free and the main altar must be based on a solid foundation resting on the ground. Also, before a church can become a basilica, it must have the status of a consecrated church.
The basilica is often referred to as the Pope’s church for his use in the event he should ever visit the area. There are Major and Minor
Pavilion and Bell The Basilica rank of a church is identified by the pavilion and bell located in the sanctuary.
Coat of Arms By virtue of its rank as a basilica, the church is given the distinction of having its own Coat
Original Basilica masons