The day after Christmas at 1pm.

Where: Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels  --  119 West Henley St. | Olean, NY
When: Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at 1:00pm

     The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels is offering a free 45-minute tour of its art and history on December 26 at 1:00pm. 
     This is a unique opportunity for the community to see and hear what impressed the Vatican so much that Pope Francis designated this local church a Basilica. Visitors will also get the added bonus of enjoying the sight of the extraordinary Christmas decorations for the season on display in the historic church.
     “Our remarkable history and art span 166 years here on this very lot in Olean,” said Jennifer Kane, author of the Vatican basilica application in 2016 as well as the basilica’s brand new history book. She will guide the tour.
     The event is designed to allow visitors the chance to not only learn about the parish community’s history but experience the beauty and scale of its famous Munich-style windows (as large as 20 feet tall) and hear about the development of the spectacular interior decoration that includes original art spanning back to the 19th century.
     “So much of our history—which is really Olean history—is connected to the art in the basilica because everything you see was added precisely for specific historical events celebrated here,” said Kane noting that nothing of significance has been removed from the interior since the historic building's 1915 opening. 
     “The Vatican’s recognition of the significance of our art and history are two important elements of being designated a basilica,” she said. “We are thrilled any time we can offer tours like this to give people in the region the chance to learn more about this beautiful house of worship and its important history so closely tied to the development of the City of Olean. It is a treasure not just in this region but, as the Vatican recognized, in our nation and in the world,” she noted.
     Kane’s recently published 372-page fully-documented book, A Place Set Apart, covering the basilica’s history from 1850 to the present day, will be on sale before and after the tour for $22 with proceeds benefitting the parish. 

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels is open every morning 7am into the evening each day of the week. Enjoy our peaceful setting--so conducive to prayer and reflection-- in the tranquil valley surrounded by the Enchanted Mountains of rural Western New York State. Come and be refreshed and renewed!

Schedule Your Visit or Book Your Tour

We look forward to your visit to our beautiful jewel in this rural corner of the State. If you are driving a distance to get here or are coming as a group, we ask that you please call the parish office to schedule your visit. 716-372-4841  Mon-Fri 9am-Noon That way we can ensure to the best of our ability that your visit won't conflict with a funeral, wedding rehearsal or other events going on. We want to be sure you get the most out of your experience here at the Basilica. We will even give a free tour if possible (see below), and arrange for Confessions if possible.  And it IS an experience. We are eager to see you! We are handicap accessible. You may email us to schedule your visit and/or group tour request, but a phone call will be necessary to complete your registration with us.
Email:  Wendy@smaolean.org 

Tour Schedule

Want to join a planned tour (always an option and always free) or want to see a list of our scheduled tours on the books already? Check out this link. Anyone may join in on our scheduled tours. To book a tour, please contact Wendy@smaolean.org (a phone call will be necessary to confirm any tours 716-372-4841 ex 10 Monday-Friday 9am-2pm). 

Optional Tours - always FREE

Tour of interior of Basilica

This is our standard tour and focuses on our art, architecture and our history since 1852 on this very lot in Olean. Approx. 45 minutes. This tour is usually given by the author of the basilica application. You will need to request this tour if you want it for your group.

Children of Fatima Chapel

Situated on the ground-level floor of the Parish Life Center next to the basilica, this unique chapel is under the intercession of the Children of Fatima--Saint Jacinta Marto, Saint Francisco Marto and their cousin, Servant of God Sister Maria Lúcia of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart. The chapel features a specially-commissioned tryptic painting of the shepherd children's encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary.  
        Why did we create this chapel under their intercession? The Fatima apparitions of 1917 coincided with the time of preparation for the consecration of St. Mary of the Angels Church and a time of prayer for peace during the Great War--peace which was officially ratified on the day before the consecration of St. Mary of the Angels Church building. We also wanted to emphasize the fact that children can be saints, too! Holiness is for everyone. 
        Distinctive feature of the chapel--All of the religious art (with the exception of the tryptic) and liturgical furnishings for this Chapel are recovered from closed Roman Catholic church buildings in the region and repurposed for use in the new Chapel. It was formally blessed on May 8, 2013 by Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Buffalo.

Crypt in the east tower

Our basilica crypt in the east tower contains the remains of our first two resident pastors, Fr. Hamel (first resident pastor who served 36 years from 1876-1912) and Fr. Rengel who built this church and served as pastor for 44 years! (1912-1956) Together they served 80 years here. 

Basilica Information

Other information about attending Mass at the basilica is at this link (parking, restrooms, low-glutten hosts etc.)
A brief history of our basilica will give you good background information to help you better enjoy your visit so you can see where we came from and read about significant people who graced our beautiful place of worship since 1852. Here's a photo gallery of some of the sights you will see.

Gift Shop

Our official Gift Shop is located in McCarthy's  Emporium in downtown Olean (walking distance from the basilica). We also sell our gift items online or in our Parish Office during business hours (Mon.-Fri. 9am-2pm)

 The faithful who devoutly visit the basilica and within it participate in any sacred rite or at least recite the Lord's Prayer and the profession of faith may obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Supreme Pontiff):

February 14 - Anniversary day St. Mary of the Angels Church was granted title of Minor Basilica
June 29 - Anniversary day of St. Mary of the Angels' consecration (in 1919) and the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
August 2 - Patronal Feast Day and Portiuncula Indulgence granted at the time of St. Francis of Assisi
October 4 - Feast of St. Francis of Assisi - date chosen by our local Ordinary, Most Rev. Richard J. Malone as per prerogative granted in Domus Ecclesiae .
 A day of the pilgrim's choice once a year 

Source: DOMUS ECCLESIAE (1989)
Conditions for Plenary Indulgence. 

Mailing Address 
202 South Union Street
Olean, NY 14760 | USA
Main Phone #
716-372-4841
Fax #
716-372-5905
Office Hours 
Monday through Friday  -- 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday - Closed
Legal Holidays - Closed
Business Offices/ Parish Life Center 
205 W. Henley St. | Olean, NY 14760
Use Irving St. Entrance off Parking Lot behind red brick Parish Life Center which is next to the church (across South First Street). 
The church building address:
119 West Henley Street (but the map above gets you within a few yards of this building)