Basilica of St. Francis Xavier — Attraction in Dyersville

Found this church accidentally on the way from Cedar Falls to Dubuque. This created curiosity as St. Francis Xavier has done missionary work in Goa, India and his mortal remains are in Goa. Saw his image with some “Red Indians” in a glass painting of the church. I was sure it was a mistake. Contacted the person, perhaps the sacristan and indicated the mistake. He informed us that when the glass painting was ordered to a company in Chicago, they mistook “India” as "Red India” (the Christopher Columbus mistake) and made images of Red Indians with St. Francis Xavier. Later the mistake was found and was corrected with...

Church dedicated December 3, 1889. Constructed under the direction of Heer and Son, well known architects from Dubuque. Named a Basilica in 1956, now one of 82 basilicas in the United States. Spires are 212 feet high. Over the altar and crucifix is a 52’ high baldachin of carved butternut. All the decorative painting in the church was done 1904-1905 by Alphonse and Lottie Brielmaier, a brother and sister team of artists from Milwaukee (born...

While on a motorhome trip, we just happened to see the turnoff for the Basilica on a Sunday. It was only 2 miles from the highway in a super cute small town, Dyersville, in Iowa. We entered the church and made it in time for the last half of the mass. The Basilica is like nothing I have seen before. It is magnificent! The congregation were welcoming, the music was beautiful, and we felt fortunate to have...