San Antonio church marks 100 years

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower in San Antonio will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its parish on Nov. 14. The church, originally founded as Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Thérèse Church, was built during the Great Depression and modeled after grand European cathedrals.

The building opened in 1931 under the stewardship of the Discalced Carmelite Friars. It features a Beaux-Arts style with Moorish elements. Two towers face Zarzamora Street and are visible from Interstate 10, which runs more than half a mile away. The north tower stands 96 feet tall and is topped by a 7-foot bronze statue of St. Thérèse.

Inside, the sanctuary is surrounded by colorful stained-glass windows and a classical arched ceiling. A central octagonal dome rises 75 feet and displays 24 roses. Each rose symbolizes a year of St. Thérèse’s life. The south transept holds a replica of her tomb in Lisieux, France.

The site holds historical weight as the first shrine in the United States dedicated to St. Thérèse. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925, just 28 years after her death. She became a popular saint in the 20th century and serves as a patron for missionaries, florists, aviators, and priests. Her parents, Zélie and Louis Martin, were the first spouses canonized together. Her sister, Léonie Martin, remains a candidate for sainthood.

St. Thérèse is known as the Little Flower because she viewed herself as a humble wildflower in God’s garden rather than a grand rose. She believed in performing ordinary tasks with love and trust. Faithful visitors often regard a single rose left anonymously at the church as a gift from the saint.

The church also received an honorary designation from the Pope. It was dedicated as one of 94 minor Catholic basilicas in the U.S. on Feb. 6, 1998. That anniversary will be marked on Feb. 6, 2027. It is one of only four basilicas in Texas, with the others located in Beaumont, Galveston, and San Juan. This designation is distinct from a cathedral, which is the principal church of a diocese where the bishop holds his seat. Some buildings, like St. Anthony’s in Beaumont and St. Mary’s in Galveston, hold both titles.

To mark the century, the church will offer Heritage Tours. These visits allow the public to see the building’s architectural details and learn its history from docents. The next scheduled tour is set for Jan. 23, 2027. The parish is located in San Antonio, and more information is available through the Little Flower Basilica website.

The anniversary coincides with other local events. The Witte Museum in San Antonio is also celebrating its 100th year. The museum opened in 1926 in Brackenridge Park after Alfred G. Witte bequeathed funds for the city’s first museum. It originally focused on natural history and science. A special exhibit runs through Jan. 9, 2027, at 3801 Broadway. The display traces the museum’s history, including a 1930s reptile garden and the unsolved 1968 theft of the McFarlin Diamond.