About St. Mary of the Assumption · Baltimore, Maryland
The Basilica of the Assumption—also known as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—is a living downtown Baltimore parish and the first Catholic cathedral built in the United States after the adoption of the Constitution. Designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe and completed in 1821, it is celebrated as "America's First Cathedral" and serves as the Mother Church of Catholicism in the United States. Today it remains a vibrant worshipping community offering daily Mass, perpetual adoration, sacramental ministry, music programs, and guided tours of its historic neoclassical building. As both a parish and a national shrine, it welcomes parishioners, pilgrims, and visitors seeking beauty, history, and faith in the heart of Baltimore.
- Established
- 1806
- Patron
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Father Brendan Fitzgerald, Rector
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
Worship in America's first cathedral, a national shrine where daily Mass, perpetual adoration, and rich Catholic heritage come together in the heart of downtown Baltimore.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 9:30 am until 10:30 am
- Monday: 7:00 am until 7:15 am, 11:30 am until 12:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am until 7:15 am, 11:30 am until 12:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am until 7:15 am, 11:30 am until 12:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am until 7:15 am, 11:30 am until 12:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am until 7:15 am, 11:30 am until 12:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am until 10:00 am (First Saturdays)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration available 24/7 in the Pope Saint John Paul II Adoration Chapel in the Undercroft
History & Architecture
The Basilica of the Assumption stands as the first Catholic cathedral built in the United States after the founding of the republic. Its neoclassical design by Benjamin Henry Latrobe was groundbreaking for American church architecture and remains a National Historic Landmark and a symbol of religious freedom.
- Cornerstone laid in 1806 by Bishop John Carroll, America's first bishop
- Dedicated in 1821 by Archbishop Ambrose Maréchal
- Designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol
- Named a Minor Basilica by Pope Pius XI in 1937
- Major restoration completed in 2006 reopened the original skylights and Latrobe's color palette
Worship & Sacraments
The parish offers daily Mass, Sunday choir liturgies, regular confession, perpetual adoration, and the full sacramental life of the Church.
- Daily Mass Monday through Friday at 7:30 am and 12:10 pm
- Sunday Mass at 8:00 am and 10:30 am with choir
- Saturday Mass at 8:00 am, with a 10:00 am Mass on First Saturdays
- Confession available daily except Saturday afternoons
- 24/7 Perpetual Adoration in the Pope Saint John Paul II Adoration Chapel
- Baptism, marriage, funeral, and RCIA preparation available
Ministries & Community Life
Parishioners can grow in faith through catechesis, young-adult gatherings, family adoration, music ministry, volunteer service, and fraternal organizations.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Basilica Young Adults
- Family Adoration
- Basilica Music, Choirs, and Concert Season
- Perpetual Adoration ministry
- Knights of Columbus - Baltimore Basilica Chapter
- Source of All Hope outreach
- Sexton's Lodge Cafe hospitality
Visiting the Basilica
Located at Cathedral and Mulberry Streets in downtown Baltimore, the Basilica welcomes visitors for prayer, tours, and pilgrimage.
- Open Monday-Friday 7:00 am - 1:00 pm; Saturday-Sunday 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Guided tours available by contacting the parish office
- Historic crypt where eight archbishops are buried
- Undercroft chapel offering perpetual adoration
- Nearby Archbishop's Residence at 408 N. Charles Street