The Baltimore Basilica by Benjamin Henry Latrobe

 A view from behind the Basilica's main altar, looking upwards toward the great dome.

I was lucky to live just a few blocks away from the historic Baltimore Basilica during the five years I lived in Baltimore’s Historic Mount Vernon district named after George Washington’s beloved Mount Vernon. The Basilica built from 1806-1821, was the first great metropolitan cathedral constructed in the United States after the adoption of the Constitution. Baltimore’s Basilica is America’s First Cathedral, officially known as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Although America was first founded under Religious freedoms, for more than 100 years until the American Revolution, the Catholic Church consisted of a persecuted but devout minority. With the adoption of the new American Constitution, Church leaders in Baltimore wanted to build a cathedral to celebrate their newly acquired right to worship openly. Bishop Carroll adopted the forward-looking neoclassical architecture of the new Federal city in Washington for the new church.



The architect of the new Basilica was Benjamin Henry Latrobe, father of American architecture. He is often called America’s first Architect but other architects worked in America before Latrobe. Latrobe was the first European trained architect to have a major impact on American architecture. Learning of Bishop Carroll’s effort, Latrobe volunteered his architectural services. President Jefferson’s insistence on skylights for the U.S. Capitol inspired Latrobe and his design for the Cathedral’s grand dome. The Basilica, which culminated years of architectural refinement by Latrobe, is now considered one of the world’s finest examples of 19th century Neoclassical architecture.

Benjamin Henry Latrobe, or B. Henry Latrobe (1764-1820)

When the Cathedral was first constructed, the only building that could compete with it in size, scale, and architectural sophistication was the United States Capitol. Architecturally, it was the most advanced building in the country. In 2001, under the leadership of Cardinal William H. Keeler, 14th Archbishop of Baltimore, the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, Inc. launched a campaign to restore the neglected Basilica to Latrobe’s original vision. The restoration included providing public access to the Archbishop’s crypt; the construction of a Chapel in the undercroft; incorporation of the Basilica Museum; handicap accessibility to the entire Basilica; a complete overhaul of the Basilica’s infrastructure; and much, much more.

In doing research for this post I happily discovered that I and my beloved pet and friend of 15 years “Belle” now in Heaven are on the site for the Baltimore Basilica. I would always take her to the “Pet Blessing” photo’s are from 10/4/08. See bottom of post.

Baltimore's Basilica of the Assumption, seen here in an early print,

A view from behind the Basilica's main altar, looking upwards toward the great dome. The back of one of the four surviving carved wooden angels believed to be original to the Besilica it dates from the 1820's

 A view from behind the Basilica's main altar, looking upwards toward the great dome.

Altar of St. James the Less - St. James the Less holds a book representing the New Testament, and a club representing his martyrdom

Altar of St. James the Less - St. James the Less holds a book representing the New Testament, and a club representing his martyrdom

Detail of Altar of St. James the Less

18^th century French oil on canvas of  Mary and Jesus sent over to the Basilica by the French.  

Detail of 18^th century French oil on canvas of  Mary and Jesus sent over to the Basilica by the French.  

Carved gilt wood Tintinnabulum - The tintinnabulum, or processional bell, stands in the east ambulatory, signifying that this is a Basilica. 

Altar of Mary - Mary, entitled "the Immaculate Conception," is represented by this statue of Mary from France

Altar of Mary - Mary, entitled "the Immaculate Conception," is represented by this statue of Mary from France

Carved gilt wood Tintinnabulum - The tintinnabulum, or processional bell, stands in the east ambulatory, signifying that this is a Basilica.  An image of Mary adorns it.

Oculus - In the restored Great Dome, as Latrobe intended, light from the skylights enters by the oculus

Oculus - In the restored Great Dome, as Latrobe intended, light from the skylights enters by the oculus.  A golden dove adorns the inner oculus of the main dome.

Upper Church  - A view from the main aisle, of the altar and east saucer dome.

Upper Church  - A view from the main aisle, of the altar and east saucer dome.

 Latrobe's dome, seen here in its restored state.

Detail of Alter made in France Greek Eared door and the Sacred heart in gilt bronze.  

Detail of Alter made in France with All seeing eye of God and the Sacred heart in gilt bronze.  

Altar of St. Michael the Archangel - St. Michael the Archangel is shown victorious over evil (the demon at his feet).

Altar of St. Michael the Archangel - St. Michael the Archangel is shown victorious over evil (the demon at his feet).

One of four surviving carved wooden angels believed to be original to the Basilica they date from the 1820’s and are carved from wood by Baltimore craftsmen.  

Altar of St. Joseph the Worker - St. Joseph holds the Child Jesus as depicted in this marble statue.

Altars of Sacrifice and Reservation - The high altar donated by Archbishop Maréchal's former students has been restored

In doing research for this post I happily discovered that I myself and my beloved pet and friend “Belle” are on the site for the Baltimore Basilica. I would always take her to the “Pet Blessing” photo’s are from 10/4/08.  In the photo I and Belle with Belle turning away from the priest.  

In doing research for this post I happily discovered that I myself and my beloved pet and friend “Belle” are on the site for the Baltimore Basilica. I would always take her to the “Pet Blessing” photo’s are from 10/4/08.  In the photo I and Belle with Belle being blessed with Holy water by a priest.