MD -- Baltimore -- Basilica of the Assumption:
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- Wikipedia Description: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, also called the Baltimore Basilica, was the first Roman Catholic cathedral built in the United States, and was the first major religious building 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. It is considered the masterpiece of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the "Father of American Architecture".
Description:
The Cathedral is a monumental neoclassical-style building situated on a hill overlooking Baltimore Harbor. It is designed in conformity to a Latin cross basilica plan — a departure on Latrobe’s part from previous American church architecture, but in keeping with longstanding European traditions of cathedral design. The plan unites two distinct elements: a longitudinal axis and a domed space.
Exterior:
The main facade is a classical Greek portico with Ionic columns arranged in double hexastyle pattern, immediately behind which rise a pair of dominating cylindrical towers. The exterior walls are constructed of silver-gray gneiss quarried near Ellicott City, Maryland. The crossing is occupied by a massive dome. Many consider the severe and beautifully proportioned outer structure of the building to be marred by the onion-shaped domes added to the two towers after Latrobe's death.
Interior:
The exterior impression of a linear or oblong building dissolves upon entry where the dominant effect is one of a grand domed space. This interior reveals a sophisticated system of barrel vaults and shallow, saucer-like secondary domes.
Latrobe devised a double-shell dome over the heart of the church. For the inner dome he created a solid, classically detailed masonry hemisphere. Neat grids of plaster rosettes adorn its coffered ceiling. For the innovative outer dome, he employed 24 half-visible, wooden skylights (suggested by Thomas Jefferson) as part of a wooden shell of a type pioneered by French master builder Philibert Delorme (c. 1510-1570).
The light-filled interior is in striking contrast to the dark, cavernous recesses of traditional Gothic cathedrals. The source of the natural light admitted by the skylights is not readily apparent, imbuing the space with an enigmatic quality. This celestial effect was lost in recent decades as the skylights had been blackened until the 2006 restoration. Replacement of 1940s stained glass with translucent window panes also facilitates this effect. The original wall colors (pale yellow, blue and rose) have also been restored, as has the light-colored marble flooring which for decades had been a dark green color.
History:
The Basilica was constructed (1806–1821) to a design of Benjamin Henry Latrobe — America's first professionally trained architect and Thomas Jefferson's Architect of the U.S. Capitol; under the guidance of America's first Bishop, John Carroll. The Basilica was later consecrated on May 31, 1821 by the third Archbishop of Baltimore, Ambrose Maréchal.
Pope Pius XI raised the Cathedral to the rank of a Minor Basilica in 1937. In 1969, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and further, in 1971, it was declared a National Historic Landmark. 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 the 19th century US. Seven Provincial Councils and Three Plenary Councils were held here in the 19th century, assuring the Roman Catholic Church would remain of one mind and heart despite its 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; founding the Catholic University of North America; and calling for the evangelization of African and Native Americans. 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, 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 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 15 other saints or potential saints.
21st Century restoration:
A major restoration project has just been completed at the Basilica: the 14th since its opening. It was closed to the public from November 2004 through November 2006, reopening in time for the Basilica's Bicentennial and the biannual meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which was held in Baltimore to mark the occasion.
While the Basilica of the Assumption is recognized as one of America's most historic churches and the nation's first Catholic cathedral, because of the great costs and amount of time associated with a major renovation, the building's infrastructure has largely been ignored over the past half century. The recent Basilica restoration included a total incorporation of modern systems throughout the building, while also restoring the interior to Latrobe's original design. This includes, among many other things, reopening the 24 skylights in the main dome, and replacing the dark stained glass (which was installed in the 1940s) with clear windows, as well as using light colored marble and paint to optimize the amount of natural light. In addition, the Basilica's crypt was made open to the public, as well as the expansive masonry undercroft (basement area) of the church. The undercroft, until now, was filled with sand from the original building of the cathedral, which prevented Latrobe's vision of a Chapel in the undercroft. During the restoration, the tons of sand were removed, and the Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel was finally realized.
Cardinal William Keeler, Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore, and one of the many champions of the restoration project, completed the restoration without dipping into the coffers of the Archdiocese, instead using private funds donated for the sole purpose of the restoration.
Notable interments:
Eight of the twelve deceased Archbishops of Baltimore are laid to rest in the Basilica's historic crypt. The crypt is located beneath the main altar, next to the Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel, and is accessible to the public. Resting in the crypt are:
* John Carroll, first Bishop of the United States. Served as Archbishop of Baltimore from November 6, 1789 until December 3, 1815.
* Ambrose Maréchal, third Archbishop of Baltimore. Served as Archbishop of Baltimore from July 4, 1817 until January 29, 1828.
* James Whitfield, fourth Archbishop of Baltimore. Served as Archbishop of Baltimore from January 29, 1828 until October 19, 1834.
* Samuel Eccleston, fifth Archbishop of Baltimore. Served as Archbishop of Baltimore from October 19, 1834 until April 22, 1851.
* Francis Patrick Kenrick, sixth Archbishop of Baltimore. Served as Archbishop of Baltimore from August 19, 1851 until July 8, 1863.
* Martin John Spalding, seventh Archbishop of Baltimore. Served as Archbishop of Baltimore from May 6, 1864 until February 7, 1872.
* James Cardinal Gibbons, eighth Archbishop of Baltimore. Served as Archbishop of Baltimore from October 3, 1877 until March 24, 1921.
* Michael Joseph Curley, ninth Archbishop of Baltimore. Served as Archbishop of Baltimore from August 10, 1921 until May 16, 1947.
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