Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel

Pensacola, Florida

St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola was built in 1886, at the height of the Gothic Revival in America. Gothic features of the building include pointed arches, lancet stained glass windows, and elegant spires. The church has been a prominent landmark within the district since its construction. St. Michael Church was designated as a Minor Basilica in 2011, with the blessing of Pope Benedict XVI. In 2020, Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. was commissioned by parish leaders to restore and enhance the interior befitting its status as a basilica. For inspiration, designers looked to historic black and white images of the interior and a painting of the church from 1900, which featured a blue sky with gold stars. In looking for the perfect blue for the new scheme, Rev. Joseph Callipare, Rector, was inspired by the deep blue ceilings of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame, another longtime client of Conrad Schmitt Studios. At the great crossing, a mural featuring a dove and twelve rays of golden light represents the Holy Spirit and twelve Apostles. A rich warm faux stone at the columns helps accentuate the gothic architecture and the European feel of the interior. The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pensacola News Journal Article