It was originally built in 1871, located at 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue North, but the expanding warehouse district was engulfing the church property.

In 1905, Lawrence S. Donaldson donated a one-block parcel on Hennepin Avenue near Loring Park for the new church buildings.

American Architect magazine commented, "The two Catholic Cathedrals will be -- when completed, noteworthy achievements in church building for any period; in extent and splendor they promise to surpass anything yet attempted in ecclesiastical work in the United States.

It was informally referred to as the Pro-Cathedral of the archdiocese from its beginning, but the parish was still officially named the Church of the Immaculate Conception until September 21, 1921.

[2] In 1941 the basilica was formally consecrated by Archbishop Dennis Dougherty of Philadelphia as part of the Ninth National Eucharistic Congress (which was taking place in Minneapolis and St. Paul at the time).

[5] In 1991 its old copper roof was replaced, stopping the water leaks and damage and that were occurring due to previous neglected maintenance.

[9] In 2020, the basilica received minor fire damage during the rioting and arson that accompanied the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, with two pews being splashed with flammable liquid and burned.

The Basilica Cathedral Choir sings repertoire spanning a wide range of genres and covering many centuries.

After undergoing a complete renovation in Winter, 2008, including an entirely new relay and console, the organ now consists of 82 ranks on 4 manuals and pedal.