If you build it, they will come.

Take a look at these pictures of a Basilica located in the U.S. and tell me if you know where it is?

Are these pictures of heaven? No. Iowa.

These are pictures of the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa. Dyersville is famous for being the settings for WP Kinsella’s famous novel “Field of Dreams.”

JB Powers of the Society of St. Barbara, where I found these beautiful pictures, writes:

Built in 1888 by German (along with Luxemborgian) immigrants, this may be the smallest town in the US with a Basilica, as it was named by Pius XII in 1956. Seating capacity is 1200 (including the choir loft). I was informed that 850 people were at mass on Saturday at 4PM vigil, which was an average crowd (for a parish holding 5 Masses). A little math, that makes 4,250 people per weekend in a town of 4,000. Give or take 10% tourists, and this is a well-uitlized parish.

4,250 people per weekend in a town of 4,000. Truly, if you build it, they will come.

Check out more about the Basilica at the Society of St. Barbara or at at the Basilica Website.