17Sep

Removing Stained Glass Windows for Restoration

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A team of glaziers from Northeast Stained Glass in New Jersey carefully removed two more bays of clerestory stained glass windows this week, working from the 75-foot scaffolding structure. The meticulous, labor-intensive process will be repeated for the remaining windows in The Basilica as the historic stained glass undergoes restoration. Each bay is removed and […]

17Sep

Media Coverage – September

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WCCOSep 15, 2026 Stained glass windows removed as part of Minneapolis’ Basilica of St. Mary restoration project Minneapolis / St. Paul Business JournalSep 4, 2026 BUILT TO LAST Inside the $50 million effort to prepare the Basilica of Saint Mary for a new century The project is the most comprehensive restoration undertaken at the Basilica […]

10Sep

Moving the Interior Scaffolding

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A team of engineering and scaffolding experts designed the complex scaffolding system, which is mounted on rails. The 40,000-pound structure is moved using a system of cables and winches, which are cranked by a crew of six. This week, crews are moving the scaffolding to the north end of the nave, allowing plasterers and painters […]

14Aug

Restoring the Monumental Front Staircase

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Crews carefully removed the Vermont granite stair treads from the monumental front staircase using a massive crane. Each tread was numbered and kept in sequence to ensure it can be returned to its original position. Over time, the original support structure beneath the stairs had completely deteriorated, putting the structural integrity of the stairs at […]

13Aug

Reinstalling Stained Glass Windows

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The Basilica’s beautiful clerestory stained glass windows, which tell the story of Mary’s life, are being restored as part of the comprehensive restoration project. Each bay of windows is carefully removed and transported in crates to the Femenella & Associates studio in New Jersey, where damaged glass and leading are repaired. Every window receives a […]

05Aug

Media Coverage – August

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Thank you to KSTP and Johan van Parys for sharing the story of this historic project — a once-in-a-generation effort to preserve America’s First Basilica and its sacred beauty for the future. August 16, 2027 The restoration of the nation’s oldest basilica is at full tilt. Director of Liturgy and the Sacred Arts at the […]

04Aug

New Hardwood Floors

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Installation of the new maple hardwood floor planks, milled in Wisconsin, began in July. Crews from Duanes Floor Service began the multi-week installation process. Before the hardwood flooring was laid, the concrete subfloor was leveled and a protective underlayment was installed. The new floor is being installed in two phases. The first half of the […]

24Jul

Bringing Back the Blue

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Painters from EverGreene Architectural Arts recently brought back the first strokes of blue to The Basilica’s magnificent ceiling. This radiant blue represents Mary and restores vibrancy to the architectural details overhead. The rich blue, gold, and red details have made the ceiling a masterpiece for more than a century. Over the next nine months, skilled […]

17Jul

Cleaning the Apostles

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Crews are cleaning every inch of The Basilica, including the marble statues of the apostles that surround the Sanctuary. Carved in Italy, they are half-scale replicas of the statues in Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome. Rather than scrubbing the stone with soap and water, conservators use a specialized conservation material that […]

08Jul

Media Coverage – July

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Going inside The Basilica of Saint Mary renovation:Nearly 120 years ago, construction began on The Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis. Today, this landmark is undergoing a massive renovation. They’re working on nearly everything from the ornate ceiling to the stained glass, the pews and even the organ is getting refreshed. This project started […]

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