Baltimore's basilica, nation's first cathedral, to reopen in November

Published: 2006-03-16

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- It will take nine days of events to celebrate the completion of the two-year restoration of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, America's first cathedral. The renovation will be completed in time for the scheduled reopening of the basilica Nov. 4. Special events are scheduled through Nov. 12. This year marks the bicentennial of the start of construction on the basilica in 1806 on top of a hill overlooking Baltimore. The basilica was designed by Benjamin Latrobe, chief architect of the original U.S. Capitol in Washington. When ground was broken for the cathedral, Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore was the only Catholic bishop for the entire country. Michael Ruck, chairman of the board of the Basilica Historic Trust, announced plans for the reopening of the historic church at a press conference March 15 inside the basilica.

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