The church interior contains 44 distinct sets of French-made stained glass windows crafted by the Carmelite convent in Le Mans, France.
The base of the steeple houses a 24-bell carillon that was a gift from the university's founder, Father Edward Sorin.
Artist Luigi Gregori, who painted the interior murals, also produced portraits of Lincoln and Grant during his tenure.
The wood carvings of the choir stalls were completed by German craftsmen and date back to the late 19th century.
The high altar is constructed of white Carrara marble and was installed in 1886.
The crypt beneath the Basilica contains the final resting place of Father Edward Sorin, the founder of the University of Notre Dame.
The Basilica's design features a prominent bell tower that reaches a height of 218 feet.
The interior layout follows a traditional cruciform floor plan with a lengthy nave and side chapels.
The church was designated as a minor basilica by Pope Pius XI in 1991.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a neo-Gothic Catholic church located at the heart of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is widely recognized for its extensive collection of 19th-century French stained glass windows, comprising over 140 individual pieces. The structure was consecrated in 1888 and features murals painted by Vatican artist Luigi Gregori. Its carillon contains 24 bells, the largest of which weighs over 7,000 pounds. The building serves as both a primary place of worship for the university community and a significant site for ecclesiastical art. It is the mother church of the Congregation of Holy Cross in the United States.
From the front steps looking up at the spire, or from the center of the nave looking toward the altar.
Walk the perimeter of the interior to view the intricate wood-carved stations of the cross.
Look up at the vaulted ceiling to observe the painted gold stars and architectural ribbing.
Visit during a student-led choir performance to experience the acoustics of the space.
Do not visit during scheduled weddings, funerals, or university commencement ceremonies when the interior is restricted.
Occasionally closed to the public for private university events or liturgical services.
Modest dress is required; silence must be maintained at all times as this is an active house of worship.
