The basilica is named after Agatha of Sicily and Barbara of Nicomedia, two Christian martyrs from the third century.

The basilica is unique in the region in that it is relatively large with a classical Italian appearance that is atypical for most of northern Europe, let alone a small town in North Brabant.

Dutch Papal Zouaves and local Catholics gathered in Oudenbosch and left for Rome in 1868 to defend the Papal State against Giuseppe Garibaldi's Italian nationalist army.

Therefore Pope Pius IX agreed to build a relatively big basilica in a small place.

[3] A piece of the cloak Pope John Paul II wore during the 1981 assassination attempt is kept there as a relic.