Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist

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Basilica of Saint John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic church in Stamford, Connecticut. It serves as a parish church and a minor basilica. The parish began in the 1850s as Stamford’s Catholic community grew.

Origins and buildings
- The first Saint John the Evangelist church was built on Meadow Street after 1849, dedicated in 1851. It was a small wooden building, about 60 by 40 feet, with a bell and a small steeple.
- By 1854, Saint John’s became an independent mission with Father Edward J. Cooney as its first pastor.
- To meet the growing congregation, a larger stone church was built and completed in 1868. It was designed by architect James Murphy and interior work was done by John Ennis.
- The church was consecrated on May 30, 1886, by Bishop Lawrence Stephen McMahon and was then the largest church in the state. It is known as “The Mother Church of Stamford.”

People and programs
- Two convents were built on the site. Saint John’s School opened behind the church in 1906, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, and operated until 1973.
- Saint John’s Parish helped fund Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Stamford, which opened in 1942 and served the community until 1999.
- The parish has welcomed many immigrant groups over the years, including Italians, Poles, Slovaks, Hispanics, and Haitians.
- The city named nearby affordable housing Saint John’s Towers in honor of the parish. The parish and bishop’s office are involved in the Saint John’s Urban Development Corporation.

Minor Basilica status
- On July 16, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI raised Saint John’s Parish to the status of Minor Basilica because of its sanctuary size, art, and historical importance.

Sanctuary and art
- The sanctuary features a Gothic high altar of white Carrera marble and golden Mexican onyx from 1886. The altar crucifix above the tabernacle comes from the original 1851 church.
- Three Dutch stained-glass windows above the sanctuary, dating to 1886, depict the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.

Today
- The rector is Monsignor Stephen M. DiGiovanni. Mass and confessions are held daily, with Sunday services in Latin, English, and French/Creole.
- The church seats about 1,600 people and measures roughly 100 by 180 feet. The congregation includes people from many backgrounds and languages.