Basilica Of St. Josaphat

The Basilica of St. Josaphat is AMAZING!
This is a great place to bring your out-​of-​town visitors. I brought my visitors from France and they were very impressed!
Do not forget to take a look at the RELIC ROOM in the lower church. Most people do not realize what an amazing collection this is. Many European churches cannot boast such a collection, as what you will see here.
Thanks to the Polish immigrants who sacrificed so much to give Milwaukee this treasure!

This is a beautiful church. I came on Sunday for the mass at 10AM because I read online that the choir is great, and I was NOT disappointed. They were lovely as was the organ music, and the acoustics were perfect in the hall. I thought it was kind of funny that the priest himself sinned one of the 7 sins; gluttony. But he delivered a great message was an eloquent speaker. I would highly recommend going for a service even if you aren’t religious, it kinda makes you feel good. Also, following the service at 11 is a history and tour of the place so there is that if nothing else.

Really beautiful 100+ year old Polish church on the south side of Milwaukee. While it’s impressive on the outside, it’s really something on the inside. You’ll think you’re in one of Europe’s great cathedrals when you gaze up at the dome. Beautiful stained glass surrounds you. The space is truly majestic. Definitely worth a stop for architecture lovers or the devout.

Loved the traditional High mass a must go to church very beautiful church and amazing architecture

This is a must see location in Milwaukee that we only recently discovered! Everything from the stained glass to the sculptures to the paintings is phenomenal! This is a hidden gem! The upstairs is magnificent but don’t miss the downstairs. Grab a tour booklet on the way in (they were in a couple locations) to read about certain paintings and sculptures.

Whether or not you consider yourself a religious person, the Basilica is an amazing piece of art, architecture, and Milwaukee history. And if you haven’t been to Europe (like me wahh wahh) it just about feels like it inside (I think).
It is free to visit during the published hours, and there is a small visitor center explaining its construction and history. Be sure to pick up the printed piece that explains all the details within the sanctuary.
If I ever find myself with guests from out of town, I’ll definitely take them to the Basilica.

Absolutely stunning!

The Basilica of St. Josaphat is a must-​visit for native Milwaukeeans and tourists alike. Not so god-​fearing? Doesn’t matter! This place is breathtaking and unique and gorgeous and chock full of storied MKE history and it’s right in your own backyard. (… well, if you’re visiting it’s not, but I’m guessing you’re picking up what I’m putting down at this point.)
I visited the Basilica for the first time last week after having driven by en route to Salvadorian food many times. Shame on me for not having been sooner! This place is insane, you guys.
The story of the Basilica is an interesting one; basically, Father Wilhelm Grutza decided that the growing Polish immigrant population on the south side of MKE needed a larger church, so upon learning that the Chicago Post Office + Customs House was being demolished, he paid $ 20,000 to have the dang thing dismantled, put on 500 rail cars, and sent to MKE.
The structure was redesigned to be less post-​office-​y and more church-​like, and 4+ years after the first cornerstone is laid, the church was finished. (The church was built by those same Polish folks living in the neighborhood, as well… they’d work all day, then come home and get to gettin’ on the thing until late in the evening. Can you even imagine? That’s dedication on the real.)
In 1929, St. Josaphat was designated as the third Basilica in the United States by Pope Pius XI. Basically, a Basilica has to have a few things in order to be classified as such: aisles/​layout in the shape of a cross, historical significance, and it has to be ready for a surprise pop-​up Papal visit at any freaking time. (So there’s a chair and a scepter just hanging out, ready to go.)
(More on Basilicas here:
)
I could «use my words» to wax on and on about the relicry downstairs and the main hall/​church upstairs, replete with amazing stained glass, tons of breathtaking art, and a grandiose and overwhelmingness, but my words wouldn’t do it the justice it deserves. You should make it a point to go. Check it out. Continue to be amazed by your humble little city, Milwaukeeans.

Breathtaking beauty inside. Loved the stained glass works, the architecture. We went on a Saturday, only a few visitors, so there was a peaceful atmosphere during our visit. The neighborhood’s a bit rundown, but there was an ample parking lot. Glad that we stopped by here on our first trip to Milwaukee.

Beautiful old basilica built in the late 1899’s by Polish immigrants. If you are in the Milwaukee area this is one site you should visit. They just don’t build churches like this anymore.

An absolutely beautiful, ornate basilica! The mass I attended was more welcoming than formal, which drew together the parishioners despite the large space. I highly recommend visiting here for either a tour or mass — it must be even more stunning during holy days!
The only reason I didn’t give ⁵⁄₅ stars is that I had a hard time hearing both the priest and the singer. I sat way in the back and their words sounded muddled most of the time.

If you have not been here since the church was restored, make it #1 on your To Do list. The place is beautiful and compares well to many of the churches in Europe. There is parking in back. The stone used in church was purchased from a Chicago building that was being torn down It is magnificent! My daughter wonders if the Chicago people laughed at the Polish people buying this used rock. If only they could see it now. A person could sit in the church for days and still not see everything. The art scenes on walls, the stained glass, the domes, OMG i could go on and on. Go see this treasure.

I have been to the Basilica probably more than a hundred times with different tour groups as well as individual tours and I have the same reaction every time I walk in and see the dome. Wow! It is simply amazing. It sits just off the freeway as you are coming into Milwaukee in a old Polish neighborhood surrounded by small, rundown homes and is absolutely magnificent. The building materials came from an old Post Office and Commerce building in Chicago that was being torn down in the 1890’s. Father Grutza bought the building for $ 20,000 and had it brought up to Milwaukee on 500 rail cars and hired a German architect, Erhard Brielmaier, to build his church. It was completed in 1901 including a massive copper dome. The stained glass came from Austria. In the 1920’s, an Italian painter and Conrad Schmitt painted the interior. You can spend hours looking at all the paintings and the detail. Also note the faux marble and the trompe l’oeil (to fool the eye) style of painting. In 1929, Pope Pius XI designated the church as a Basilica — the third designation in the US.
If you are not going to attend mass, you can also look for a concert schedule or just wander around on your own. The Pope John Paul II Pavilion is open during the week from 9am-​4pm with a great little gift shop. The lower level contains a good overview of the history of the building as well as the Lower Church and some interesting relics. Then go into the Upper Church and be prepared to be stunned.
Many people tell me that they think it is just as beautiful, or even more beautiful than many of the churches they have visited in Rome. One man, this summer, actually was brought to tears as he thought it was so beautiful.
So there, check it out yourself… you will be amazed, I am sure.

I’m not exactly the most religious of people — but I do find some kind of peace and solace in any church.
The Basilica just may be the most beautiful in Milwaukee. I hear they do tours and think I’m gonna have to come back for one.
I was here for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s Messiah. What a perfect setting. The acoustics are really great and the sight is just, well, magical.
If you are a Milwaukee resident and appreciate architecture, art, and history and haven’t yet seen the Basilica… do yourself a favor and go.

If you don’t have the time, funds or desire to visit St Peters in Rome, you can get a good idea of what it’s like (albeit on a MUCH smaller scale) by attending Mass at St. Josaphat’s. I can’t believe I’ve lived in MKE all my life (and am Catholic) and not visited until last weekend’s Doors Open. I am ashamed.
St Josaphat’s must be one of the most splendidly decorated churches in the state and recently underwent an extensive restoration including re-​coppering of the famous dome. It does help to have some appreciation of Catholic history to fully appreciate all of the symbolism in the decorations. Knowledge of Polish and Latin is a plus, though they have flyers that spell out all the inscriptions.
If you’re interested in visiting they offer free tours each Sunday after the last Mass. You don’t even have to attend services — just watch for all the Bad Catholics sneaking out after communion — that’s your cue that services are almost over. The docents are welcoming, knowledgable, fun and passionate about their treasure of a church.
There is a small gift shop in the Basilica and also across the street, run by the Franciscans that manage the church. They sell «Basilica Bold» coffee beans specially made for them by Alterra along with all the prayer cards and religious statuettes a soul could ask for.
My tip — after your tour, head across the street to El Salvador for some pupusas. They’re so good you might have to head back to the church to confess the sin of gluttony.

St. Josaphat is the the first Basilica of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and a historical landmark of the city. Beautiful church located south of Mitchell Street built by Polish immmigrants. The building materials came from a post office that was being dismantled in Chicago. This church is run the Conventual Franciscans. They are a great bunch of priests. There are tours after the Sunday Masses. The Sunday Mass schedule is as follows: 8 am, 10 am and 12 pm. On every first Sunday, their gift shop Li’l Friar across from the church is open from 9 to 2. They have a wide variety of Catholic gifts from around the world. They also have a small shop next to the church where they sell an assortment of coffee, postcards, and other small gifts. If you ever are in the south side of Milwaukee, you shouldn’t miss visiting the Basilica.