St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

If you are in the Cincinnati, Ohio area this minor basilica is a must stop for its beauty and architecture. With a front made to resemble Notre Dame in Paris, you enter into a stunning world the likes of which just aren’t built anymore… at least no one can afford it. This basilica — the seat of the Diocese of Covington, Ky. — was built at the turn of the 19^th century. The most striking feature is all the stained glass inside.
Roughly one whole side of the basilica is covered with stained glass. In total there are some 82 stained glass windows… the largest of which measures 67 feet by 24 feet. As with most Catholic churches, there are Stations of the Cross but here they are made in little mosaic tiles (some with up to 80,000 tiles) by artisans from the old country. Built in Gothic design with all the requisite gargoyles and arches, this magnificent church is a work in progress. Each new generation adds its touches to the developing artwork.
Three pipe organs support the music community… totaling 82 ranks and 4,576 pipes! They often have concerts in here for its beautiful sound. This cathedral is hard to explain… it is just one of those places you must visit.

The most beautiful architecture in northern Kentucky.

I used to work at a hotel in the area and I would send people here if they were looking for a service. The beautiful architecture alone warrants a visit. After sending a family here for mass, the woman came back absolutely thrilled. She happened to go on a day when a bishop was there. Everyone that I recommended this church to loved it.

Everywhere I look there is something beautiful. Gorgeous mosaics and breath taking stain glass, especially visiting midday when the sun is shining through. It’s so beautiful.

Magnificent! The service was great. The organ music was wonderful. The stain glass was the most beautiful I have ever seen. This place is a true work of art. It is a must see for Catholics, people of all faiths, and anyone who enjoys fine art work. I was glad we made this service on our vacation.

Why not stop and take a look at this beautiful cathedral. I am not Catholic but I am a fan of amazing stained glass and historical detail and at one point this cathedral had THE largest stained glass window in the world. It has since been outgrown, but the interior is still amazingly gorgeous. Tours aren’t always available and when I showed up mass was in session. So what did I do? Attended my first ever mass. lol.
The interior of the cathedral contains murals by Covington native Frank Duveneck. According to the St. Mary Cathedral’s website: «The Cathedral’s North transept window is the world’s largest church stained glass window, measuring 67 ft high by 24 ft wide. It presents the early fifth century Ecumenical Council of Ephesus that proclaimed Mary as the Mother of God.» The stained glass windows were made in Munich, Germany.
The cathedral contains two pipe organs. In the south transept gallery stands the pipe organ designed and built specifically for the cathedral by Henry Willis III during his tenure at the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois in 1933. Originally 3 manual keyboards, a pedal keyboard and 43 ranks of pipes, this instrument was renovated and enlarged in 1982. The mosaics of the stations of the cross are made out of 80,000 tiles from Italy! The basilica also includes marble flooring, sanctuary and Baptismal.

What a gem… thanks to Unilocal we were able to visit on our recent weekend trip to Cincinnati. Because really, who would think that this religious landmark would be sitting across the river from Cincy waiting to be discovered if it weren’t for Unilocal!
Easily the most beautiful church I’ve ever entered. I liked it better than the National Cathedral in DC… because it is smaller and more intimate. It just exudes a peacefulness that makes you want to linger.
The stained glass windows are wonderful, as are the wood carvings. I really liked the smaller sanctuary, the one that you can’t take pictures in, and that’s fine. Because it wouldn’t feel right anyway.
I’d love to attend a service here some time. Again, just beautiful!

I don’t know why anyone would give this church anything less than 5 stars. It’s a historic relic! One of the few Cathedral Basilica Minors outside of Rome and it has the largest stain glass window in a church in the world. The inside of it is absolutely breathtaking and I find myself staring at the different stain glass windows or mosaics while attending service there. My fiancé and I decided we’re going to get married here and we are set to wed in June. If you are planning the same for yourself, please note that the church has a book of rules for weddings, they do not provide a priest, and you will have to call Beth Blackburn (Church Secretary) about 14 — 16 months before your intended wedding date in order to book it. This is especially true if you’re getting married between April and October. They also will not preform weddings during Advent or Lent. (The entire month of December and from Ash Wednesday until Easter) And while you do not have to be Catholic to get married here, be prepared to meet with the Msgr. in order to be approved. They also only allow weddings on Saturdays at either 1:30 pm or 6:30 pm.
If you have the opportunity to come here for a service, please take advantage of it. If you just want to go, I know it’s open for tours on Saturday afternoons.

I am a practicing Catholic. This is my home parish. I love this church for many reasons. For someone who may not attend, but wants to experience this in all it’s glory, please attend the Sunday Mass at 10am. The music is phenomenal, the Bishop is a great man with a good message. Yes, this place is more than just beautiful architecture and décor…

I hate to break it to you readers, but I’m not very religious. And I’ve never been Catholic.
That said, I enjoyed attending mass here at St. Mary’s. The church is gorgeous, and I took the tour after the service. The previous reviewers have already explained the details of the architecture. This is the most beautiful church I’ve entered in the United States. I would have no trouble attending again, and if someone were to ask for a recommendation of a church and/​or religion to get into, I would without a doubt steer them to St. Mary’s.

Bella! The detail of the tiny mosaics and grandeur of the stained glass will take your breath away. I am ashamed it took me so long to pay this historic landmark a visit. This is a wonderful place to take your out of town guests.

Cathedral Basilica is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the tri-​state. Located in the heart of Covington, the grand church can be seen from highrises in Cincinnati. Once inside, the view becomes even more breathtaking.
Cathedral Basilica is home to the World’s Largest Stained Glass Window, measuring 67×24 feet. The facility was erected in 1894 and ended in 1915, unfinished. Near the front door, you can notice some empty pedestals which were meant to house statues. The church ran out of money, and never added them in. The Cathedral is also lacking a steeple because it would be too heavy for the foundation to support.
Some notable architecture:
— 26 gargoyles on the building exterior
— murals by 1903 Covington artist, Frank Duveneck
— two beautiful, stained glass rose windows
— ornate statues of religious figures
— marble flooring, sanctuary, and Baptismal
— two gigantic organs, one dating back to 1859
— 82 stained glass windows made in Munich, Germany
— mosaics of the stations of the cross, made out of 80,000 tiles
Outside, one can find a lush garden, complete with path, benches and fountain. It’s an enjoyable piece of serenity for Downtown Covington.
Self-​guided tours are free. The Cathedral is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Mass is held Monday thru Friday at 9:30 a.m., Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Grand and awe-​inspiring, St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of the most phenomenal architectural designs in Greater Cincinnati. From its flying buttresses to its gargoyle waterspouts, this spectacular monument will impress people of all creeds and religions. One of only 35 minor basilicas in the United States, this master piece of ornament and grandeur is a can’t miss photographic destination
In high school, I had the privilege of going on an architectural scavenger hunt of the church. I’ll let you have the fun of locating in the myriad of stain glass a disciple with eye-​glasses and the church’s cornerstone (hint: it’s not in a corner).
Make sure that you check out the Cathedral Gardens with its Italian statue of Our Lady of LaSalle and Bishop Ackerman’s Vietnamese bird-​bath.

This church will literally take your breath away. The outside of the church is modeled slightly after Notre Dame in Paris. The inside of the church is modeled almost exactly after St. Denis just north of Paris. Marie Antoinette as well as many other French monarch are in the crypts in this church in Paris.
Now I visited St. Denis in Paris. The church was very dark, moody and medieval. The plethora of crypts didn’t hurt either. It was a gorgeous church, but was in a sad state. It’s replica in Covington, KY is more beautiful in my opinion. After a recent renovation, they moved the altar and added some of the most beautiful woodwork I’ve seen. The stained glass and the rosary are astounding! This is a place not to be missed.
This basilica offers usual weekly services and they also have a Spanish service on Sundays. This venue also presents many musical performances. The May Festival Chorus uses it for their always sold out performance during May Festival weekend in May. As a previous member of the Youth Chorus I was able to sing here each year for four years. It was unlike anything, completely indescribable. Now when I go back to see them perform there again, I’m in tears because it is just so beautiful.