America's Church: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception [Hardcover]

Gregory W. Tucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000

America's Church: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - Gregory W. Tucker

An illustrative, narrative history of the largest Roman Catholic church in the western hemisphere and the eighth largest religious edifice in the world. Through vivid photographs and engaging narrative, Gregory W. Tucker tells of the people and events which gave rise to establishing this monumental tribute to the accomplishments of Catholicism in the United States; the circumstances that nearly thwarted its completion; and the individuals who ultimately revived the greatest single undertaking by Catholics in America, described by its founder as a great "hymn in stone."

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Basilica in Washington is the largest church building in the Western Hemisphere and in the eyes of Catholics and many nonCatholics alike the "national church." Begun in 1920 after generations of prayer and planning, the Byzantine-Romanesque structure was finally dedicated in 1959. Tucker's meticulously documented text of its history and development is intricate and fascinating. Lavish photographs bring the story vividly alive.

-- Michael Pakenham -- Baltimore Sun

From the Publisher

America's Church: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate conception is a story of faith, of hope and of love. It's the story of a challenge accepted by one generation of American Catholics and then passed down to-- and accepted by -- the next and the next and the next.

Gregory Tucker's metiiculous, colorful and fascinating account of the building of this monumental "national" chuch in Washington, D.C., is a testament to the movers and shakers who made it possible. It provides a fitting and well-deserved tribute to the countless American men, women and children who were ultimately the "builders." As hundreds of photographs show, this "national church" was built with a respect for the past -- and the Catholic traditions of art and architecture. Yet it was built with an eye toward the future -- and the millions of American Catholics who would come to worship within its massive walls.

Tucker shows how the most significant single project ever undertaken by the Church in the United States traces its roots to its modest beginnings as a student chapel on the campus of The Catholic University of America a century ago. And how that promise -- and dream -- were expanded and continued to move forward despite two World Wars, the Great Depression ... and ressistance from some prominent American Catholics.

Tucker proves that this icon of the Catholic Church in the United States -- this tribute to, and reminder of, the many cultures within it -- is a national treasure. His recounting of how it was "mined, mounted, and polished" is a great American tale.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087973700X
• ISBN-13: 978-0879737009
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,380,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars America's Church, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: America's Church: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Hardcover)

Being neither Catholic nor a fan of coffee table books I was surprised to find myself reading and enjoying Gregory Tucker's America's Church., a history of The Bascilia of the National Shrine in Washington.DC., and of the numerous personalities who persisted in creating it. This is no ordinary story: It took over 60 years to build the Shrine, which is dedicated to the glory of the Virgin Mary. It is a tale of charismatic churchmen and of ordinary men and women; of near defeat, years when Shrine stood neglected and unfinished; and, finally, of splendid triumph upon its completion. As Tucker makes clear, the Shrine really is "America's Church" -- it exists because of the ordinary Catholic men, women and children who contributed to it over the years. In telling their story, Tucker furnishes us with more than a story about a building but with a history of Roman Catholicism in America. . The book is beautifully designed, with photographs -- which made me realize that the shrine is as majestic as the most beautiful of Europe's cathedrals. You don't have to be a Catholic to enjoy America's Church.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pantocrator He-Man, May 18, 2011

By 

Peter P. Fuchs (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: America's Church: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Hardcover)

The Pantocrator over the altar here has always been popular with what used to be called "confirmed bachelors." And apparently still is, if its popularity on blogs is any indication. When I was in the seminary most of the seminarians referred to the place across the street as the "National Crime". But an exception was always made for the Pantocrator in Judgment and his fabulous pecs.