Timeline 1948 – Present

1948
Bishop Gerow moves the Diocese of Natchez to Jackson, Mississippi.
1952
A new Catholic high school, Cathedral High School, is built on North Pine Street (now Martin Luther King Street).
1954
The school on the corner of Main and Union Streets is sold to and demolished by a commercial developer.
1957
December 18: The name of the Diocese of Natchez is changed to the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson.
1961
St. Mary's Parish, Natchez Bishop Janssens' Administration 1880–1888 (Sequel to "Cradle Days of St. Mary's at Natchez") by Bishop Gerow published.
1962
Vatican II is summoned by Pope John XXIII.
1976
December 2: Bishop Gerow dies and on the same day Bishop Joseph B. Brunini is appointed bishop of Natchez-Jackson by Pope Paul VI.
1977
March 1: The name of the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson is changed to the Diocese of Jackson. The Diocese of Biloxi, consisting of the southern portion of the Diocese of Jackson, was established.
June 6: The name of St. Mary Cathedral was changed to St. Mary Church. Bishop Joseph Lawson Howze D.D. was installed as the first Bishop of newly formed Diocese of Biloxi.
1984
January 24: Bishop Brunini retired.
April 11: Bishop William Russell Houck is appointed bishop of Jackson by Pope John Paul II.
1986
St. Mary Church partners with Jefferson Street United Methodist and Trinity Episcopal Churches to begin the Stewpot to prepare and serve meals to the needy.
1992
St. Mary's of Natchez, The History of a Southern Catholic Congregation, 1716–1988, Vols. I & II by Charles E. Nolan published.
1993
First pewter Christmas ornament cast.
1996
Small stained glass window on St. Joseph side of sanctuary installed in memory of Agnes Burns Frye.
Small stained glass window on St. Mary side of sanctuary installed, donor unknown.
1998
February 28: Straight line winds damaged many buildings in Natchez. Several pinnacles on St. Mary's were toppled, and others were weakened. Under the leadership of Father Alfred Camp, the parish decided on a complete renovation of the exterior and interior of the church.
September 8: St. Mary Church designated a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II.
1999
Extensive work on the exterior of the church began.
September 25: Celebrated Mass of elevation of St. Mary Church to Minor Basilica.
2000
A capital campaign, Bishop Chanche's Vision helped fund a complete restoration of the interior of the church.
2002
The interior of St. Mary's Basilica is restored by Conrad Schmitt Studios of Berlin, Wisconsin.
Charter for Protection of Children and Young People initiated by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
2003
January 3: Monsignor Joseph Nunzio Latino is appointed bishop of Jackson by Pope John Paul II.
March 7: Monsignor Latino is ordained bishop.
March: Father Mike O'Brien represented St. Patrick in annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
2005
April 2: Pope John Paul II died.
April 19: Pope Benedict XVI elected.
St. Mary Basilica Archives Committee began.
August: Hurricane Katrina devastated southern MS and LA.
2007
The remains of Bishop Van de Velde, second bishop of Natchez, are exhumed from the cemetery at St. Stanislaus Novitiate, Florissant, Missouri, and reinterred in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
August: In accordance with his wishes to be buried in Natchez, the remains of Bishop John J. Chanche, S.S., and his sister, Mary Marcelline Chanche Edwards, are exhumed from the Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland, and transferred to Natchez for reinterment. The marble monument marking his gravesite in Baltimore is dismantled and sent to Natchez to stand over their new resting place on the grounds of St. Mary Basilica.
2008
January 19: William Henry Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore, Maryland, presides as main celebrant over the reinterment of Bishop John Joseph Chanche, S.S.
March: Father David O'Connor represented St. Patrick in annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Annual World Day of the Sick observance began.
2009
Right to Life observance began.
First Baptist Church on corner of Main and Rankin Streets was purchased and demolished.
Bishop's Prayer Garden behind the rectory was completed.
Loyola Theology Study Program began.
Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. began 3 month renovation of church interior.
St. Mary Basilica Archives website launched.
2010
Monsignor Thaddeus Harkins, former pastor (1979–1986) died.
2011
SMB joined Facebook social media.
Construction of Family Life Center began.
2012
February: In a letter to all churches in the diocese, Bishop Latino defends Catholic teachings in response to President Obama's mandate requiring healthcare coverage for contraception, sterilization and religious liberty.
April 1: Celebration of the 175th anniversary of the diocese.
April 17: Bishop Latino dedicates the Bishops Prayer Garden located behind the rectory.
May 20: Restoration of crucifix that hung in the church and is now in the family life center.
June 7: International Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin, Ireland.
September 2: Anniversary of 300th year of Catholic presence in Mississippi.
James E. Guercio, chairman of St. Mary Basilica Archives Committee, receives the first annual Bishop John Joseph Chanche Medal.
Family Life Center dedicated.
2013
February 28: Pope Benedict XVI retired.
Exterior of St. Mary Basilica, rectory and St. Ann Hall painted.
March 13: Pope Francis I elected.
October 27: Assumption of theBlessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church celebrated 100th anniversary.
December 2: Former member of SMB and former Governor of Mississippi William A. Allain died.
2014
February 6: Joseph R. Kopacz ordained as eleventh Bishop of Jackson.
February 16: Construction of Cathedral Middle School began.
April 27: Bishop Kopacz dedicated historical marker at Assumption BVM Catholic Church commemorating Saint Catherine Creek Colony.
April 27: Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II were canonized.
June 6: Celebration of Bishop Latino's 51st priestly ordination and 10th anniversary as bishop.
June 18: Celebration of Father David O'Connor's jubilee.
2015
October 4: Bishop Kopacz dedicated historical information plaques in Family Life Center.
November 22: Holy Family Church celebrated 125th anniversary
2016
February: Historical plaque marking site of D'evereux Hall Orphanage (1861–1966) dedicated.
March 9: Bishop Houck died.
SMB Archives Committee presents Catholic Cultural Tours for City of Natchez Tricentennial Celebration.
2017
Last pewter Christmas ornament (#25) cast.
2018
Restoration and renovation of crypt with placement of Bishop Chanche's original wooden altar began.
2019
Construction of SMB Prayer Garden on corner of Main and Rankin Streets began.
Father David O'Connor celebrated his last Mass as Pastor of St. Mary Parish and blessed the St. Mary Basilica Prayer Garden prior to his retirement party.
August 4: Father Scott Thomas installed as pastor of St. Mary Basilica.
September 1: Father Alfred Camp, former pastor (1992–2004) died.
September 11: Memorial Mass celebrated for Father Camp at St. Mary Basilica.
2020
Covid 19 pandemic closed churches for a period of time. Masses streamed via internet.
2021
February: Ice storm caused major damage in St. Mary Basilica.
May: Renovation of interior of St. Mary Basilica began.
May 28: Bishop Joseph Latino died.

Sources: St. Mary’s of Natchez: The History of a Southern Catholic Congregation, 1716-1988, Vols. I & II, by Charles E. Nolan, Ph.D., 1992. Catholic Hierarchy Website.