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.
April 15, 2009 at 2:09 am
You might also enjoy these “painted churches” in Central Texas. http://www.klru.org/paintedchurches/churches.html
If you ever come through Austin I’ll take you on a tour (with the obligatory stop at a great bbq joint tacked on the end.)
April 15, 2009 at 3:12 am
Nice to see my Luxembourgian ancestors do good with their time and money!
April 15, 2009 at 1:32 pm
This place is truly worth a visit. Not only is the Field of Dreams site wonderful (especially in early fall/late summer), but the basilica is truly a marvel. And it’s a papal basilica, so if the Pope, you know, happens to be in the neighborhood, this is his church. I will say the EF Mass they have here is uninspiring, done by old priests who obviously are doing this not out of love for the form but for love of the people who want it. If you’re spoiled by how well the FSSP or the ICK do the old Mass, then this will be a letdown. Still, better than not at all, I suppose.