History of Belmont AbbeyHistory of Belmont Abbey

St. Michael Abbey, GermanySt. Michael Abbey, Germany

Founded in 766 AD Founded in 766 AD

St. Vincent Abbey, St. Vincent Abbey, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

FoundedFounded 18461846

Belmont AbbeyBelmont Abbey

Mary Help of Christians AbbeyMary Help of Christians Abbey (Maryhelp)(Maryhelp)

FoundedFounded 21 April, 187621 April, 1876

Garibaldi StationGaribaldi Station

Railroad stop Railroad stop before Charlottebefore Charlotte

Small villageSmall village One general store One general store

(Abraham Stowe)(Abraham Stowe) Caldwell PlantationCaldwell Plantation Name changed to Name changed to

Belmont 1886Belmont 1886

Caldwell PlantationCaldwell Plantation

Founded after Revolutionary WarFounded after Revolutionary War 500 acres500 acres Sold at auction 1871 to Fr. Jeremiah Sold at auction 1871 to Fr. Jeremiah

O’ConnellO’Connell

Jeremiah O’ConnellJeremiah O’Connell

Circuit Riding Priest in Western NCCircuit Riding Priest in Western NC Purchased Caldwell Plantation at Purchased Caldwell Plantation at

Auction Auction $10 to pay the debt$10 to pay the debt

Offered land to several Catholic Offered land to several Catholic religious ordersreligious orders condition: They would start a schoolcondition: They would start a school Condition: He could live on the propertyCondition: He could live on the property

MaryhelpMaryhelp

founded from St. Vincent’s Abbey founded from St. Vincent’s Abbey (Latrobe, PA)(Latrobe, PA)

Abbot Boniface Wimmer accepted Abbot Boniface Wimmer accepted land donation from O’Connellland donation from O’Connell

First DaysFirst Days

Friday,21 April, 1876Friday,21 April, 1876

Fr. Herman Wolfe arrives from Fr. Herman Wolfe arrives from RichmondRichmond

2 students come with him2 students come with him They open St. Mary’s CollegeThey open St. Mary’s College Classes start immediatelyClasses start immediately

MariasteinMariastein

Fr. Herman names priory for large stone Fr. Herman names priory for large stone found on propertyfound on property

Legend says stone was an Indian altarLegend says stone was an Indian altar

Later used to exhibit slaves for saleLater used to exhibit slaves for sale

Now used for Baptisms Now used for Baptisms

Abbot Leo HaidAbbot Leo Haid

Born 1849 – Died 1924Born 1849 – Died 1924 Elected Abbot 1885Elected Abbot 1885 Arrived in Garibaldi Station 28 July, Arrived in Garibaldi Station 28 July,

18851885 Served as Abbot 39 yearsServed as Abbot 39 years Set standards and expectations for Set standards and expectations for

college and monasterycollege and monastery

The Abbey Church of MaryhelpThe Abbey Church of Maryhelp 11stst church was wood frame chapel church was wood frame chapel Expanded twice by 1890Expanded twice by 1890 21 March, 1892 ground broken for 21 March, 1892 ground broken for

new brick churchnew brick church Mother (St.) Katherine Drexel helped Mother (St.) Katherine Drexel helped

fund churchfund church 11stst mass: December 1893 mass: December 1893 Blessed 11 April, 1894Blessed 11 April, 1894 Last Renovated 1965Last Renovated 1965 Became a Basilica 1998Became a Basilica 1998

The WindowsThe Windows

Made in BavariaMade in Bavaria Painted GlassPainted Glass Won gold medals in World’s Won gold medals in World’s

Fair,1892Fair,1892 Honor Saints important to Honor Saints important to

BenedictinesBenedictines

The CollegeThe College

1876 St. Mary’s College1876 St. Mary’s College 1913 Name changed to Belmont 1913 Name changed to Belmont

Abbey CollegeAbbey College 1928 becomes a junior college1928 becomes a junior college 1952 College becomes a senior 1952 College becomes a senior

college againcollege again 1973 female students live on campus1973 female students live on campus

Becoming a MonkBecoming 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 ProfessionSolemn Profession Three VowsThree Vows

StabilityStability ObedienceObedience Conversion of LifeConversion of Life