St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilmington

Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wilmington is a significant landmark in the religious and cultural history of the city. Located at the corner of Sixth and Pine Streets, it is the only active church in Delaware founded by Saint John Neumann, who consecrated the building on October 31, 1858, during his tenure as Bishop of Philadelphia. Originally part of the Diocese of Philadelphia, the parish became part of the newly created Diocese of Wilmington in 1868. The church, alongside its parochial school established in 1866, played a vital role in the spiritual life and social integration of thousands of Irish immigrants who settled in the area in the 19th century.

Constructed in brick with limestone trim, the church features a distinctive facade with three towers鈥攖wo diagonal corner towers capped with onion-shaped domes and a central square tower added in 1881, now serving as the belfry. A fire in 1966 destroyed the original wooden dome, which was later replaced. The architecture reflects a blend of ecclesiastical and cultural influences, giving the structure a strong visual identity in the East Side neighborhood it has long served. In 1976, Saint Mary鈥檚 was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its architectural and historical significance.

Incorporated under its current name in 1894, the church honors the Immaculate Conception and continues to embody the legacy of its founder. Following John Neumann鈥檚 canonization in 1977, a life-sized statue by Wilmington sculptor Charles Parks was commissioned to commemorate the event. Today, Saint Mary鈥檚 remains a small but vibrant parish, racially diverse and deeply rooted in community traditions鈥攁n enduring testament to faith, resilience, and service in one of Wilmington鈥檚 oldest Catholic congregations.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church
Sight Location: Wilmington, USA (See walking tours in Wilmington)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Quaker Hill and Downtown Historical Buildings

Walking Tours in Wilmington, Delaware

Create Your Own Walk in Wilmington

Creating your own self-guided walk in Wilmington is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Wilmington Introduction Walking Tour

Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware. It lies at the confluence of the Brandywine and Christina Rivers. Wilmington was originally home to the Lenape people. However, the land was purchased from Chief Mattahorn by the Swedish South Company in 1638. They built Fort Christina at the mouth of what would later be called the Christina River.

The Swedish lost control of the Fort Christina... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Quaker Hill and Downtown Historical Buildings

For many visitors to Delaware's Wilmington, the downtown district is the main area of interest.

Indeed, the majority of Wilmington's most distinguished attractions are found here. Steeped in history, this part of the city still carries legacy of its first Swedish settlers much as that of the du Pont family who left a great deal of mark on the town's history. Some of the key local... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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