Known as "America's First Cathedral," the Baltimore Basilica (in full: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) was the first Catholic cathedral built in the United States after the adoption of the Constitution. A Catholic cathedral in a prominently Protestant nation, it became a symbol of the nation's religious freedom. It was built in a Neoclassical style in 1806-1821 and underwent major restoration work in 2004-2006.

History of the Baltimore Basilica

The Basilica of the Assumption was founded not long after the adoption of the United States Constitution (1788), in celebration of the Catholic Church's newfound religious freedom. The project was overseen by John Carroll (1735-1815), Archbishop of Baltimore and America’s first bishop. His cousin was Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

The architect was British-born Benjamin Henry Latrobe (1764-1820), who designed the United States Capitol for Thomas Jefferson and is called the "Father of American Architecture."

The cathedral of Baltimore went on to play a central role in the development of American Catholicism, hosting several important councils and developing an authoritative catechism. In 1937, Pope Pius XI raised the cathedral to the rank of a Minor Basilica.

In 1972, the Baltimore Basilica was declared a National Landmark and in 1993, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the Cathedral a National Shrine. Over the last few decades, visitors to the Baltimore Basilica have included Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople.

The basilica was closed from April 2004 to November 2006 for major repairs and renovations, which included opening the crypt, adding a museum, and providing full disabled access. It reopened with great fanfare, just in time to celebrate its 200th anniversary.