History of Belmont Abbey

St. Michael Abbey, Germany Founded in 766 AD Founded in 766 AD

St. Vincent Abbey, Pennsylvania Founded 1846 Founded 1846

Belmont Abbey Mary Help of Christians Abbey Mary Help of Christians Abbey (Maryhelp) (Maryhelp) Founded 21 April, 1876 Founded 21 April, 1876

Garibaldi Station Railroad stop before Charlotte Railroad stop before Charlotte Small village Small village One general store (Abraham Stowe) One general store (Abraham Stowe) Caldwell Plantation Caldwell Plantation Name changed to Belmont 1886 Name changed to Belmont 1886

Caldwell Plantation Founded after Revolutionary War Founded after Revolutionary War 500 acres 500 acres Sold at auction 1871 to Fr. Jeremiah O’Connell Sold at auction 1871 to Fr. Jeremiah O’Connell

Jeremiah O’Connell Circuit Riding Priest in Western NC Circuit Riding Priest in Western NC Purchased Caldwell Plantation at Auction Purchased Caldwell Plantation at Auction $10 to pay the debt $10 to pay the debt Offered land to several Catholic religious orders Offered land to several Catholic religious orders condition: They would start a school condition: They would start a school Condition: He could live on the property Condition: He could live on the property

Maryhelp founded from St. Vincent’s Abbey (Latrobe, PA) founded from St. Vincent’s Abbey (Latrobe, PA) Abbot Boniface Wimmer accepted land donation from O’Connell Abbot Boniface Wimmer accepted land donation from O’Connell

First Days Friday,21 April, 1876 Friday,21 April, 1876 Fr. Herman Wolfe arrives from Richmond Fr. Herman Wolfe arrives from Richmond 2 students come with him 2 students come with him They open St. Mary’s College They open St. Mary’s College Classes start immediately Classes start immediately

Mariastein Fr. Herman names priory for large stone found on property Fr. Herman names priory for large stone found on property Legend says stone was an Indian altar Legend says stone was an Indian altar Later used to exhibit slaves for sale Later used to exhibit slaves for sale Now used for Baptisms Now used for Baptisms

Abbot Leo Haid Born 1849 – Died 1924 Born 1849 – Died 1924 Elected Abbot 1885 Elected Abbot 1885 Arrived in Garibaldi Station 28 July, 1885 Arrived in Garibaldi Station 28 July, 1885 Served as Abbot 39 years Served as Abbot 39 years Set standards and expectations for college and monastery Set standards and expectations for college and monastery

The Abbey Church of Maryhelp 1 st church was wood frame chapel 1 st church was wood frame chapel Expanded twice by 1890 Expanded twice by March, 1892 ground broken for new brick church 21 March, 1892 ground broken for new brick church Mother (St.) Katherine Drexel helped fund church Mother (St.) Katherine Drexel helped fund church 1 st mass: December st mass: December 1893 Blessed 11 April, 1894 Blessed 11 April, 1894 Last Renovated 1965 Last Renovated 1965 Became a Basilica 1998 Became a Basilica 1998

The Windows Made in Bavaria Made in Bavaria Painted Glass Painted Glass Won gold medals in World’s Fair,1892 Won gold medals in World’s Fair,1892 Honor Saints important to Benedictines Honor Saints important to Benedictines

The College 1876 St. Mary’s College 1876 St. Mary’s College 1913 Name changed to Belmont Abbey College 1913 Name changed to Belmont Abbey College 1928 becomes a junior college 1928 becomes a junior college 1952 College becomes a senior college again 1952 College becomes a senior college again 1973 female students live on campus 1973 female students live on campus

Becoming a Monk Postulant (up to 6 months) Postulant (up to 6 months) Novitiate (one year) Novitiate (one year) Junior (three years) Junior (three years) Solemn Profession Solemn Profession Three Vows Three Vows Stability Stability Obedience Obedience Conversion of Life Conversion of Life