Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust

03/21/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

The Catholic TV Network has visited the The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary twice, once in the summer of 2004 and again in the summer of 2020.

Watch host and producer Kevin Nelson explore the changes made during the Restoration here:

Anti-Catholic sentiment was widespread in the U.S. when efforts to build the first Roman Catholic cathedral began. Nevertheless, the Baltimore Basilica (form...

03/08/2023

Happy International Women's Day!
DID YOU KNOW?

Today also marks the start of Catholic Sisters Week (March 8-14), which honors religious catholic women and remembers Catholic sisters that have passed away. Among those honored today is Saint Mother Teresa, who visited Baltimore two times. Once, in 1992 and then a more extensive trip in 1996, where she prayed at the Baltimore Basilica and visited the Catholic Relief Services Headquarters.

Here she is during her first short visit in August of 1992, newt to the late Cardinal Keeler.

02/28/2023

America's First Cathedral has been the setting of several events in Catholic History, and due to its location in the heart of Baltimore, it has played an important role in Black History.

Sister Reginald Gerdes, a historical researcher and an Oblate Sister of Providence (America's First black order of nuns), reflects on some of the history of Black Catholics in Baltimore below:

The coming of the Mill Hill Fathers to Baltimore was a landmark in the administration of Archbishop Martin Spalding. This group of priests was founded outside London by Cardinal Herbert Vaughan for the purpose of missionary work. On arriving in Baltimore, the black parish community of St. Francis Xa...

02/22/2023

Happy Ash Wednesday!

DID YOU KNOW?

Three Plenary Councils have been held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore.

02/15/2023

America's First Cathedral lies in the heart of Baltimore, a city rich with African-American culture and Black Catholic History. The Assumption Trust works to preserve every part of the Cathedral's diverse history, which you can learn more about below:

In order to better appreciate the devotion and dedication of black Catholics to the church, it is necessary to be aware of the political, social and religious environment which people of color had to endure and overcome.

02/08/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, was ordained at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore on Dec. 22, 1877. He founded The Knights of Columbus on Feb. 6, 1882 with a mission of charity.

02/06/2023

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is historically a site of pilgrimage as it is in the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the United States.

DID YOU KNOW?

Black Catholics arrived in Baltimore near the end of the 18th century. Their arrival laid the roots for the nation’s first African American order of nuns, the Oblate Sisters of Providence (1829), and the first African American Catholic church, East Baltimore’s Saint Frances Xavier (1863).

02/01/2023

Today marks the beginning of Black History Month, and in celebration the Trust will be highlighting the many roles America's First Cathedral played in the centuries-long fight for Civil rights.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first ordination of an African-American priest on U.S. soil, Charles Randolph Uncles, SSJ (Nov. 8, 1859 — July 20, 1933), took place at the Basilica in 1891. Baltimore Cardinal James Gibbons ordained him and nine other men on Dec. 19, 1891.

01/23/2023

Do you know the Custodians of America's First Catholic Cathedral?

The Custodians are individuals or couples who contribute a gift of at least $25,000 to the endowment of the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust.

By their gift, Custodians make an investment into the ministry of the Trust in its sole mission of maintaining, preserving, protecting, repairing, and restoring America’s First Catholic Cathedral.

The investment income generated annually by the endowment of the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust allows the Board of Trustees to respond to the current and future needs of the Basilica. As the endowment grows, so does the annual investment income.

01/16/2023

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day!

The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Assumption Historic Trust, was elected the Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops last year. He follows in the footsteps of his predecessor the late Cardinal William H. Keeler as Baltimore's second archbishop to act as Vice President of the Conference.

DID YOU KNOW?

More than 30 bishops assigned to dioceses across the United States were ordained at the basilica.

Nine of the fourteen deceased archbishops of Baltimore have been 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 was once again made accessible to the public in 2006 after the renovation led by Cardinal Keeler.

01/09/2023

The Most Reverend Archbishop Lori explained the historical importance of his home within the legacy of America's First Cathedral during the inaugural reception for the Custodians of America's First Cathedral.

11/29/2022

For over 200 years, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has stood as a symbol for religious freedom for Catholics in America and the world over. Today we both thank you for supporting the Basilica Assumption Trust in its mission to maintain and preserve America's First Catholic Cathedral, and ask that you continue your support.

Gifts can be mailed to: Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201