Come and be refreshed and renewed!

Enjoy our peaceful setting --so conducive to prayer and reflection-- in the tranquil valley surrounded by the Enchanted Mountains of rural Olean, NY (USA)

Our doors are open for anyone, regardles of their faith affiliation, to come in to pray, light a candle, and spend time in silent reflection in the splendor of this historic spiritual gem in the Southern Tier.

You may also tour on your own or enjoy a free guided tour.
Guided Basilica tours are 45-minutes to an hour long and include art, architecture and history. Anyone is welcome to sit in on these tours. Our guided tours are always free and open to the public. Reservations are not needed but appreciated for scheduled tours. Guided Tours take place three Fridays per month 1:00-2:00 pm (after the 12:15 pm Mass). We do not offer tours on First Fridays due to scheduled Eucharistic Adoration in the sanctuary. Yes, you may arrange for a private tour for other days/times (see below for details).

Book a private tour or take a self-guided tour

 If you want to tour the basilica on your own, we offer two ways to take a self-guided tour using your mobile device:

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 9 am-5 pm (winter hours: 9 am - 4 pm). 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 or liturgical celebrations going on. We want to be sure you get the most out of your experience here at the Basilica.

We can even offer your group a free guided tour if possible. To book a private tour for your group, call 716-372-4841 or E-mail Bonnie@smaolean.org. You will find it helpful to read through our FAQ about our tours before you call. Following your phone call to confirm your date works on the parish caledar, please fill our our online TOUR REQUEST form so that tour coordinators can verify that your date works in their schedule. 

We cater to bus tours with easy parking along the east side of the basilica where your bus may remain during the duration of your visit. That side of the basilica (pictured below) gives visitors closest access to handicap ramp as well.

Dining Options --If you choose to bring your own box lunch, we offer a free dining facility in our parish hall in the lower level of the basilica which can be accessed by elevator or stairs. If you choose to dine at a local restraunt, we have terrific restaurants in downtown Olean who are happy to accommodate your group. We can assist with that booking. 

Sacramental Options--All are welcome to join us during our regularly-scheduled Mass or Confession times. If your group wishes to have a private Mass, you would need to bring your own clergy. If your group would like to have the Sacrament of Reconcilliation offered, our clergy might be able to accommodate that. 

 The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels offers free 45-minute tours of its splendid art, architecture and history. 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.
     “Our remarkable history and art began in 1850 here on this very lot in Olean,” said Jennifer Kane, author of the Vatican basilica application in 2016 as well as the basilica’s history book (now in its third edition). 
    Our tours are 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. It took 100 years to to decorate this House of God which is designed to nourish your senses and your soul. 
     “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 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 and the development of Catholic presence and influence in western New York. 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 394-page fully-documented book, A Place Set Apart, covering the basilica’s history from 1850 to the present day, can be purchased at this link. All proceeds go to the basilica parish.

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.
Be sure to read through our FAQ page concerning our tours.

Gift Shop

Please brouse our unique basilica gifts on our "Shop" portal of this website. 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-5pm)

 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,  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. 

Mission of our Basilica Tour Ministry: To provide pilgrims with the opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ in a customized experience responsive to the spiritual purpose of their journey
so that pilgrims return home enriched in body, mind and soul.

During weekdays outside of Mass hours, you are invited to park in the handicap parking lot next to the basilica (without a handicap plaquard). Street parking along 1st Street (red brick paved road next to basilica) is also available.