Basilica of Mary Help of Christians - Belmont Abbey

The basilica was built in neo-Gothic style in 1892, and was completely renovated in 1965 in a most striking manner. The church, which contains prize-winning painted glass windows and a unique baptismal font, is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. In 1998, the church was named a minor Basilica by the Vatican. Belmont Abbey is a monastery of Roman Catholic Benedictine monks founded in 1876. The Abbey follows the tradition of Saint Benedict of Nursia, who initiated Benedictine monasticism in the sixth century. Primarily, the Abbey Basilica is an oratory, a house of prayer. It oversees no parish. Benedictines punctuate their day with the Divine Office, liturgies of Psalmody and Scripture. The Monks call this “opus Dei,” the “work of God.” Opus Dei invests the Church with a pivotal role in daily life. The Abbey Basilica is also the spiritual stay for Belmont Abbey College for generations of school alumni, and for area Catholics. The basilica has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. It held cathedral rank until 1977.