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Home , Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Martin John Spalding

THE BAIIMORE BASILICA Amerlca'1 Flrsr C athedral

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ffi THE,BALTIN,IORE BASILICA A NATIONAL SHRINE AND NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK

Many significant historic events have occurred within the cathedral's The building now has ,he walls, including the funeral of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the handicapped access The Basilical and is totally compli- first metropolitan cathedral constructed in America after the only Catholic signer of the Declatation of Independence and cousin ant with the of the Constitution, is a symbol of religious freedom and of Archbishop John Carroll. Most of the first Bishops of the Catholic adoption with Disabilities an historic treasure for Americans of all faiths. After construction Church in the were consecrated here to fill the ever-mul- Act. The Basilica's began 1806, the cathedral became tiplying dioceses necessitated by the great waves of immigration in in 24 skylights, which the embodiment of the vision of the the 19th century. Under the auspices of the Basilica, Mother Mary had been closed or first Bishop of the United States (later Elizabeth Lange founded the first order of American nuns of African removed over time, Archbishop), Carroll, and the descent, the Oblate Sisters of Providence, in 1829. The Councils of John were replaced and of the U.S. Capitol, Benjamin Baltimore held here in the 19th century established the parish system, architect now illuminate the Henry Latrobe. Their collaboration pro' mandated parochial schools, launched the Catholic University of cathedral as the living symbol of the light of religious freedom, as duced a building that in its day rivaled America, and commissioned the famous Baltimore Catechism. At was originally intended. The new interior reflects Latrobe's sub' the Capitol in size, scale, and architec- one time, more priests were ordained here than in any other church in lime simplicity, with flooring, finishes, furnishings, and lighting tural sophistication. Carroll, founder of the United States, including Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of replicated to early 19th century forms. Access has been created Georgetown University, recognized the the Knights of Columbus. To honor the great history of the cathedral, from inside the cathedral to one of the great religious shrines great opportunity presented by Pope Pope Pius XI raised the Baltimore Cathedral to the rank of a Minor in America: the crypt, which holds the tombs of such giants as Pius VI to "erect a church in the form Basilica on September 1, 1937. Today the Basilica is officially known as Archbishop Carroll, Archbishop Martin John Spalding, and of a cathedral, in as much as the times the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed John Cardinal Gibbons. and circumstances allow." He also realized that the new cathedral Virgin Mary. James for the vast Diocese of Baltimore, which stretched from Maine to Georgia to the and eventually the territory of the During the last 200 in 2008, the Pope John Paul Purchase, should be constructed as a temple on a hill wor' years, visitors to the Basilica II Prayer Garden was opened at thy of its Old Testament predecessors - a symbol of the newfound have included dignitaries the corner of North Charles and freedom of religion so important to the fabric of the newly formed and historical figures from Franklin Streets, just around the United States. For more than 100 years, the British had denied around the world, including corner from the Basilica. The this freedom to the American colonists, despite the short'lived, but Pope Paul II, Blessed garden provides a quiet oasis nobly conceived, 1649 Act of Religious Toleration. John Teresa of Calcutta, President within the city, for reflection and Andrew Johnson, the relaxation. A visit to the garden to and Marquis de Lafayette, Ralph is a wonderful complement John Carroll -!7a1do Benjamin Henry Emerson, and Chief your Basilica experience. 'lThitefeather Latrobe adopted for of the Sioux or the cathedral the {or- Tribe. At least 15 saints Today, the cathedral envisioned by Archbishop John Carroll as prayed ward-looking neoclas- potential saints have a gift to all Americans and "a shining citadel set up in their midst" sical architecture of here. continues to be a special place of light, life, and faith. the new federal city in '!Tashington. Carroll The Baltimore Basilica commemorated its bicentennial anniversary wanted an architectural and the completion of a thirty-month restoration and renovation symbol that was neither in 2006. 'Work began in 7004 to provide the infrastructure needed Gothic nor reminiscent of the Dark Ages in Europe. The corner' .War to support the building and to restore its most impressive original stone was laid in 1806. Despite delays caused by the of 1812, features in time for the anniversary. The effort included the incorpora' the Baltimore Cathedral was finally completed in 1821 by Ambrose tion of modern systems throughout the cathedral and the restoration Marechal, the third Archbishop of Baltimore. Marechal dedicated of the interior design, as originally intended by architect Latrobe. the great edifice to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Niklaus Pevsner, a major 19th century architectural historian, called it "North America's most beautiful church." Many believe it is Among the highlights of the restoration were replacing and updat' Latrobe's greatest work and one of the finest examples of neoclassi- ing aging and potentially dangerous electrical and piping systems, cal architecture in the world. heating and air conditioning systems, and sound and hghting systems. i4.6"4, MA-/tr-- -aq*,,r.r-,ca"a, c/a;??r, tu-/*r,-ao.c,otrr. r*4h*ruAk*S*: FI] 7789 No\,'EMBER6 Pope Pius VI creates the Diocese of Baltimore and %J-1. appoints John Carroll the First Bishop of the United States of J "+_ America. C^ CENTER T z wASHINGToN STAGE "'- -?FF MONUMENT I e, FT 7797 NovEMBER z-10 The Synod of Baltimore, the first formal " * s'Pr r PEABODY meeting of the U.S. , is held at Pro- iltlJ'-il^?' n. . frx?1iY,tt"-h Cathedral on Saratoga Street. SOCIETY U J WATTERS ART tr GALLERY 18O5 JrlLy zz Trustees approve architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe's tI] FRANKIIN STREET ril?tr E neoclassical plans for a new cathedral. l-{ LI B RARYT MUTBERRY STREET tr >k rHr e0 jchn 1806 JULv 7 Archbishop Carroll lays thc cornerstone. ST. ALPHONSUS. BALTIMORE z SARATOGA STREET E tr nasrLrcR 7821 MAy31 Archbishop Ambrose Marechal dedicates the cathedral U+ H U to the service of God, under the title of the Assumption of tlrc U + + l F Z UU Blessed Virgin Mary. U U UZ E;; t-{ U + 7829 ocroBER3.18 The First Provincial Council is held, asserting the () FAYETTE STREET \Z schools. 3: need for Catholic d BAtT]MORE STREEI G5 F o 28 . NovEMBER Tocqueville visits the F 183 1 ocroBER 5 Alexis de U U u U + cathedral on his travels through America, the basis for his book, i,, U ta+ U +q e Democracl in America. o qts TOMBARD STREET O a U U+ 7852 MAye.2o The First Plenary Council is held, extending the d U o U PRATT STREET H I F legislation of the Seven Provincial Councils to the entire == T a .(J F country. CONVENTION I J CENTER O = H 7866 ocroBER ?.20 The Second Plenary Council calls for evangelization of African-Americans and Native Americans. INNER U) President Andrew Johnson attends. HARtsOR

7877 DECEMBER zz Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, is ordained at the Baltimore Cathedral. o Center of Town ll Porking

1884 NovEMBER e.DECEMBER z The Third Plenary Council, the largest CeruEoRAL & MuLeEnRY STREETS tr meeting of Catholic Bishops held outside of since the BnlrruoRE, MARYLAND ZlZ0l Council of Trent, formulates the famous Baltimore Catechism, which was in use until the 1970's. !7W\7. BALTIMOREBAS ILICA. ORG -3565 E] 7906 ArRIL 6 The 100th anniversary of the laying of the cathedral's 4t0-727 cornerstone is observed with a Pontifical Mass celebrated by & James Carclinal Gibbons. MAS S SCHEDULE (rN 7937 sErTEMBER t Pope Pius Xl raises the Baltimore Cathedral to the MONDAY.FRIDAY: 7:3Oeu cHappl) & 12r1Opu (vrcrl o rank of a Minor Basilica. SATURDAY: 5:3Opv ron suNDAY) SUNDAYI 8:00err,t, 1O:45au (sasrlrca cHorR) 7972 No\.,EMBER 15 The Baltimore Cathedral is declared a National 4:3Opv Historic Landmark. C o NFESSIONS F-'( 7993 sErTEMBER 1s The Basilica is designated a National Shrine by MONDAY-FRIDAY: 1 I :30nr',r . 1 2:OOpl..r the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. SATURDAY: 4:45nr - 5:15prvr - t-{ 7995 ocroBER 8 Pope John Paul II makes a pastoral visit to SUNDAY: 3:45pxt 4:l5pt",t Baltimore and prays within the Basilica, where he greets a small J group of Basilica worshippers. TO U R SCHEDULE MONDAY-SATURT]AY: 9:00arrl, 1 1 :OOarra, 1 :OOpu MAy 2e Blessed Teresa of Calcutta attends the Renewal of Vows 1,996 SUNDAY: 1 Z:OOpna (rollolvrNc 10145 r'.,lass) of 35 of her Missionaries of Charity. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED ONLY FOR GROUPS OF IO OR MORE m 7997 ocroBER 23 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, visits America's first Cathedral. GIFT SHOP HOURS MONDAY-FRIDAY: 10:00ar'l - 3r00pu 2OO4 ArRIL Restoration and renovation of the Basilica begins. SATURDAY: 9:3Oela - 5:3Optr.l FI] SUNDAY: 8:304u - 4:30pr'r f-{ 2006 NovEMBER 4 The Basilica's 200th anniversary is commemorated *.t with a reopening celebration, following an extensive 30-month restoration effort. POPE JOHN PAUL II PRAYER GARDEN t-{ LOCATED AT N. CHARLES & FRANKLIN STS. OPEN EVERYDAY B:3OAM - 3:3OPM