Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel (Loretto, Pennsylvania)

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The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Loretto, Pennsylvania, is a Catholic minor basilica and parish in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Located at 321 St. Mary Street, it serves as a place of worship and community for local Catholics.

History and buildings
- The parish was founded in 1799 by Rev. Demetrius Gallitzin and named for Michael McGuire, the area’s first settler in 1788.
- Four churches have stood on the site. The first was a white pine log church (1799), followed by a frame church (1817) at the same cemetery edge; the stone outline of the second remains visible.
- A brick church was built in 1854 at the present site.
- The present church began construction on January 10, 1900, using locally quarried stone and was completed in 1901. It was consecrated on October 2, 1901.

Architecture and donors
- The church was designed by Frederick J. Osterling in a Romanesque Revival style, at a cost of about $150,000.
- It was funded by Charles M. Schwab, president of United States Steel, who grew up in Loretto. The Schwab family donated the three bells, along with Pastor Rev. Ferdinand Kittell.
- Andrew Carnegie donated the pipe organ for $8,000.
- While primarily Romanesque Revival, the church features Gothic Revival touches, including Carrara marble altars imported from Italy and an altar rail of Mexican onyx with brass details. The Stations of the Cross were also imported from Italy.
- The interior includes three paintings above the Main Altar by a Chicago artist, depicting the Ascension, the Flight into Egypt, and the Nativity. The pews and wainscoting are red oak.

Status and features
- In 1996, Pope John Paul II elevated St. Michael’s to the status of a minor basilica.
- The building has one sandstone exterior, a single spire, and houses three bells in the tower.
- The church is part of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The bishop is Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak, and the rector is Very Rev. John D. Byrnes, JCL, JV.