Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
| Baltimore Basilica | |
|---|---|
| Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | |
| "America's First Cathedral" | |
The Basilica in 2006.
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| Location | 409 Cathedral St. Baltimore, Maryland |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | americasfirstcathedral |
| History | |
| Dedication | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Consecrated | May 31, 1821 |
| Architecture | |
| Status |
Minor basilica (also a parish church and co-cathedral) |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | NRHP |
| Designated | October 1, 1969 |
| Style | Neoclassical |
| Years built | 1806–1821 2006 (restoration/renovation) |
| Specifications | |
| Number of domes | 1 |
| Number of spires | 2 |
| Bells | 2 (1831) |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Baltimore |
| Province | Baltimore |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | William E. Lori |
| Rector | (vacant) |
| Deacon(s) | Robert M. Shephard |
| Laity | |
| Director of music | Michael Repper |
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Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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| Location | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°17′39.81″N 76°36′58.18″W / 39.2943917°N 76.6161611°WCoordinates: 39°17′39.81″N 76°36′58.18″W / 39.2943917°N 76.6161611°W |
| Built | 1806-1821 |
| Architect | Benjamin H. Latrobe |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| NRHP Reference # | 69000330 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 1, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Baltimore Basilica, was the first Roman Catholic cathedral built in the United States, and was among the first major religious buildings constructed in the nation after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. As a co-cathedral, it is one of the seats of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland. Additionally it is a parish church (ranked minor basilica) and national shrine. It is considered the masterpiece of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the "Father of American Architecture".
The Basilica was constructed between 1806 and 1821 to a design of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, America's first professionally trained architect and Thomas Jefferson's Architect of the U.S. Capitol. It was built under the guidance of the first American bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, John Carroll. The Basilica was consecrated on May 31, 1821, by the third Archbishop of Baltimore, Ambrose Maréchal.
Many famous events have occurred within its walls, including the funeral Mass of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Most of the first American bishops were consecrated here to fill the ever-multiplying dioceses necessitated by the young country's territorial expansion and great waves of immigration. Until recent years, more priests were ordained at the Baltimore Basilica than in any other church in the United States.
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Wikipedia