The Basilica of St. Francis Xavier is a parish church in the Archdiocese of Dubuque located in Dyersville, Iowa, United States.

Within a few years the English moved on, and many German immigrants began to arrive in the area.

By 1880, it became clear that with the increasing Catholic population of Dyersville and the surrounding area, the old church building would no longer be adequate.

The parish decided on a large Gothic Revival style building in order to serve the increased population.

When the building was dedicated, special trains brought people from all over the state of Iowa to witness the ceremony.

The cause was furthered when a high ranking German Cardinal, Konrad von Preysing, visited the church.

Previously the parish had worked hard to attain and maintain a debt-free status, a preliminary requirement before a church can be consecrated.

On May 11, 1956, the church was elevated to the rank of a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII.

[2] A mass officially naming the church as a basilica attracted crowds from all over the state, as well as many high ranking clergy.

[2] This helps make the church visible from miles away across the rolling lightly forested farmland.

Brielmaier also designed the butternut baldacchino over the high altar, which is carved Italian marble by the Milwaukee Monument Company, and they were both installed in December 1897.

The images carved on the pulpit include the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John as well as the Apostles Peter and Paul; and five Doctors of the Western Church: Ambrose, Jerome, Gregory, Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.

A free-standing altar was commissioned from the John C. Kaiser Company of Dubuque and created by Fritz Ganshirt.

Above the high altar is a large central painting of the heavenly liturgy mentioned in Revelations 5: the Adoration of the Mystical Lamb of God.

[4] To the left are images of saints that include the Blessed Virgin Mary, George with a spear, Lawrence with a gridiron, Stephen with stones, Joseph with a lily, Rose of Lima with a crown of roses, Peter with keys, Paul with sword, Henry the King, Boniface, Francis of Assisi, Francis Xavier, Catherine, and Cecilia playing the organ.

The plaster bas reliefs replaced the original set that dated from 1870, which had deteriorated.

It is the first floor of its kind in the United States to combine "epoxy based terrazzo, and computer generated water jet laser cutting for the brass molds.

"[4] The symbols in the floor include the coats of arms of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Pope Pius XII, the basilica, and the papal insignia of the tiara and keys.

The organ was designed keeping in mind the size of the church and the acoustical qualities of the building.