Baltimore: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Baltimore: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This photograph shows the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary in the 1980s. This image shows the dingy state the building had fallen into by the late 20th century. The building was restored in 2006.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was the first Roman Catholic cathedral constructed in the United States. It was designed by Benjamin Latrobe, who was both the first true American architect as well as Architect of the U.S. Capitol under Thomas Jefferson.

The Basilica is built in the neoclassical style with a Latin cross basilica floor plan. The building underwent a complete restoration in 2006 which restored the building, interior and exterior to Latrobe’s original design, in additional to installing modern systems within the building. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Place in 1969.

Chester Smolski

1990-01-01

Rhode Island College

Photograph

Photograph

0829

Neoclassical

Church

Baltimore

United States of America

Benjamin Latrobe

1764-1820

Architect

Architecture -- Historic buildings -- Maryland -- Baltimore; Architecture -- Religious architecture -- Maryland -- Baltimore; Architecture, Modern -- 19th century; Architecture, American -- Maryland -- Baltimore;

Maryland

409 Cathedral Street