5 Incredible Catholic sites to visit in Mississippi

Catholicism in Mississippi goes all the way back to 1699 when French explorers established Fort Maurepas near present-day Ocean Springs, bringing with them Jesuit missionaries. The first permanent Catholic church was established in 1721 in what is now Biloxi. 

After Mississippi became a U.S. territory, Catholic growth was slow but steady. The Diocese of Natchez (now the Diocese of Jackson) was established in 1837, one of the first Catholic dioceses in the Deep South. 

While Catholics have always been a minority in Protestant Mississippi, their numbers grew during the 20th century with the arrival of immigrants from Vietnam and Hispanic countries. 

Today less than 3 percent of Mississippi residents are Catholic, yet this community is small but mighty, boasting a number of beautiful and important sacred sites. These sites would make a wonderful visit for a pilgrimage.

Completed in 1886, St. Mary Basilica stands as Mississippi's only basilica and “is recognized as an architectural masterpiece.” 

This Gothic Revival wonder features a 190-foot spire, stunning stained glass windows imported from Munich, and an ornate high altar carved from Italian marble. 

St. John Paul II elevated it to a minor basilica in 1998, honoring its role as the mother church of Mississippi Catholics.

Established in 1846, the Cathedral of St. Peter serves as the seat of the Diocese of Jackson. The original structure was rebuilt in 1900 after a fire, and significantly renovated in the 1960s.

The cathedral saw its share of trouble during the Civil War, with fire and looting destroying the frame church and chapel of the time. A new church was built after the war and the present structure was dedicated in 1900.

The Romanesque-style building features striking stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of St. Peter and a recently restored pipe organ. The cathedral's bell tower houses three historic bells cast in the 1800s, which ring out before Mass. 

Don’t miss the statue outside the church of Sister Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration who lived in Mississippi and whose cause for canonization is currently under consideration.

Built in 1908 to replace a church destroyed by hurricane, Our Lady of the Gulf is a testament to Gulf Coast Catholic resilience. 

This Spanish Revival-style church with its distinctive white façade has survived numerous hurricanes, including Katrina in 2005, which severely damaged the surrounding area but miraculously spared the church structure. An Angel of Light statue outside the church stands as a reminder of the many volunteers who helped restore the parish community.

The church’s stained glass windows, created by Emil Frei Studios of St. Louis, depict maritime themes alongside traditional religious images. 

The first Catholic church in Mississippi, this cathedral parish was once the home base for French missionaries traveling among coastal communities in the area. The parish has had a succession of church buildings, with destruction from fire, hurricanes, and other disasters necessitating each new one.

The newest building, dedicated in 1902, is a Gothic Revival triumph. Enjoy touring the luminous frescoes and stained glass windows featuring scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary, the Marian chapel, the pearl marble altar, and the huge four-faced clock tower. 

Designed by architect James T. Canizaro and dedicated in August, 1964, St. Michael’s is known as the “Fishermen’s Church.”  The theme is carried out by the scalloped seashell-shaped roof, the stained-glass windows, and the repeated motif of fish, water, and nets throughout the church. 

The church was heavily damaged but withstood the ravages of Hurricanes Camille and Katrina.The church hosts the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony each summer, a tradition begun by Croatian immigrant fishermen in the early 20th century.

Shrine of Our Lady of Hope, Chatawa

This hidden gem sits on the grounds of the former St. Mary of the Pines Academy, a girls' school operated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame from 1874 until 1988. 

Today the campus is a retreat center, hosting a Catholic kids’ camp each summer and various events and devotions throughout the year. 

The grounds include gardens, prayer walks, a chapel, and other beautiful aids to contemplation in God’s creation.