The Haunted Heart of Phoenix: St. Mary’s Basilica

In the middle of bustling downtown Phoenix stands a church that’s seen over a century of prayers, secrets… and maybe something more.

St. Mary’s Basilica isn’t just Arizona’s oldest Catholic parish — it’s a place layered with beauty, history, and unexplained chills that keep some visitors looking over their shoulder. On our Phoenix History, Mystery & Ghosts tour, we don’t just walk by it — we listen, we investigate, and sometimes… we hear things we can’t explain.

A Phoenix Icon with a Ghostly Twist

Built between 1902 and 1914, St. Mary’s Basilica replaced the original 1881 adobe church that once stood on this sacred ground. Its dramatic domes, Spanish Colonial Revival design, and colorful stained glass windows make it a standout — and Pope John Paul II even granted it basilica status in 1985.

But for all its beauty, there’s a deeper story here. One that’s not printed in the history books or found on the church brochure. Over the decades, people have reported sudden cold spots during prayer, whispers echoing in empty pews, and a heavy feeling near the back of the church — like someone unseen is watching.

Hauntings at St. Mary’s Date Back to the 1890s

This isn’t just a pretty church — it’s one of the oldest haunted sites in Phoenix. The first known encounter made the front page of the newspaper in 1893, after someone reported seeing something so disturbing outside the basilica, it stopped them in their tracks.

That was just the beginning.

The hauntings haven’t let up. In fact, this is one of the most active stops on our tour. Guests have captured some of their clearest paranormal evidence right here — and let’s just say, not everyone walks away feeling alone.

What’s still lingering? You’ll find out when you’re standing in front of it.

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Join Our Phoenix History, Mystery & Ghosts Tour

Ready to step into one of Phoenix’s oldest haunts? St. Mary’s Basilica has been the site of unexplained encounters since the 1890s — and it’s one of our most active paranormal stops.

On this tour, you’ll:

- Stand where a front-page 1893 headline was made

- Hear the true stories that never made the guidebooks

- Catch real paranormal evidence with our ghost-hunting gear

All you need is curiosity. We’ll bring the history… and the EMF detectors.