Basilica Of The National Shrine Of The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, also called the '''Baltimore Basilica''', was the first Catholic Cathedral built in the United States, and was the first major religious building constructed in the nation after the adoption of the United States Constitution . As a co-cathedral, it is one of the seats of the Premier See , the Roman Catholic Archdiocese Of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland . The other co-cathedral is the Cathedral Of Mary Our Queen , in northern Baltimore City.

Construction began in 1806 and was completed in 1821, the design of Benjamin Henry Latrobe who was America's first professionally trained architect, and Thomas Jefferson 's Architect Of The U.S. Capitol . Latrobe designed the Basilica under the guidance of America's first Bishop, John Carroll .

Pope Pius XI raised the Basilica to the rank of a Minor Basilica in 1937. In 1972, it was declared a National Historic Landmark and is therefore listed on the National Register Of Historic Places . In 1993, the United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops designated the Basilica a National Shrine.

Many famous events have occurred within its walls, including the funeral Mass of Charles Carroll Of Carrollton , the only Catholic signer of the Declaration Of Independence . Most of the first bishops of the American Church were consecrated here to fill the ever multiplying dioceses necessitated by the great waves of immigration and nation building that were emblematic of our 19th century. Seven Provincial Councils and three Plenary Councils were held in the 19th century, assuring the Roman Catholic Church would remain of one mind and heart despite is ever-growing and widely scattered flock. These councils set the course for the Catholic Church in America through the 19th century by establishing the Catholic School System; calling for the evangelization of African-Americans and Native Americans; and the third Plenary Council, which was the largest meeting of Catholic Bishops held outside Rome since the Council Of Trent , commissioned the famous Baltimore Catechism .

Until recent years, more priests were ordained here than in any other church in the United States.

The Basilica has welcomed millions of visitors in her 200 years, most recently including Pope John Paul II in 1995, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta in 1996, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I Of Constantinople in 1997. Many holy individuals are associated with the Basilica, including Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange , Founder of the Oblate Sisters Of Providence , the first order for Catholic nuns of African-American descent; Father Michael J. McGivney , Founder of the Knights Of Columbus , who was ordained at the Basilica in 1877 by Archbishop James Gibbons ; St. John Neumann , who is credited with founding America's Catholic School System; as well as visits from 10 other saints or potential saints.

RESTORATION

Currently the Basilica is undergoing a major restoration project, and will be closed to the public between November of 2004 and November of 2006, reopening in time for the Basilica's Bicentennial.

While the Basilica of the Assumption is recognized as one of America's most historic churches, the building's infrastructure has largely been ignored over the past half century. The current Basilica restoration will include a total incorporation of modern systems throughout the building, while also restoring the interior to the original design of Benjamin Henry Latrobe .

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Basilica Of The National Shrine Of The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary