St. Mary Cathedral Basilica (Galveston, Texas)

St. Mary Cathedral Basilica
St. Mary Cathedral Basilica in 2023
St. Mary Cathedral Basilica
29°18′15″N 94°47′25″W / 29.30417°N 94.79028°W / 29.30417; -94.79028
Location2011 Church St.
Galveston, Texas
CountryUnited States
DenominationRoman Catholic
WebsiteSt. Mary Cathedral Basilica
History
StatusCathedral - Minor Basilica
DedicationBlessed Virgin Mary
ConsecratedNovember 26, 1848
Architecture
Architect(s)Theodore Eugene Giraud, with later addition by Nicholas J. Clayton
Architectural typeGothic
Groundbreaking1843
Completed1847
Specifications
Capacity400+
Length40 meters (130 ft)
Width23 meters (75 ft)
Other dimensions1 acre (0.40 ha) (grounds area)
Number of spiresThree
Spire height24.3 meters (80 ft)
MaterialsImported Belgian brick and mortar
Administration
ArchdioceseGalveston-Houston
ParishHoly Family
Clergy
ArchbishopMost Rev. Joe S. Vásquez
St. Mary's Cathedral
NRHP reference No.73001964
RTHL No.7172
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJune 4, 1973
Designated RTHL1967

St. Mary Cathedral Basilica is a Catholic cathedral in Galveston, Texas. It is the primary cathedral of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the mother church of Catholics in Texas. Along with the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, Texas, St. Mary's serves over 1.5 million Catholics living in the archdiocese.

The first church in Galveston, St. Mary, started as a small wooden building in 1842. It was replaced in 1848 by the current structure, which became a cathedral when it was dedicated. St. Mary was spared significant damage during the hurricane of 1900, but was flooded during Hurricane Ike in 2008. After six years of repairs and renovations, it reopened in 2014. St. Mary was elevated to the state of a minor basilica in 2004. St. Mary became part of Holy Family Parish in 2009.