America's Church: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The Basilica of the National Shrine of the, Immaculate Conception stands in the nation's capital city as a remarkable testament to the faith and devotion..." (more)
Key Phrases: patronal church, crypt sacristy, north apse, Bishop Shahan, United States, Salve Regina (more...)

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

Product Description

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."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (February 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: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #816,953 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.