History of Belmont Abbey St Michael Abbey Germany
History of Belmont Abbey
St. Michael Abbey, Germany n Founded in 766 AD
St. Vincent Abbey, Pennsylvania n Founded 1846
Belmont Abbey n Mary Help of Christians Abbey n n (Maryhelp) Founded 21 April, 1876
Garibaldi Station n n Railroad stop before Charlotte Small village n n n One general store (Abraham Stowe) Caldwell Plantation Name changed to Belmont 1886
Caldwell Plantation n Founded after Revolutionary War 500 acres Sold at auction 1871 to Fr. Jeremiah O’Connell
Jeremiah O’Connell n n Circuit Riding Priest in Western NC Purchased Caldwell Plantation at Auction n n $10 to pay the debt Offered land to several Catholic religious orders condition: They would start a school n Condition: He could live on the property n
Maryhelp n n founded from St. Vincent’s Abbey (Latrobe, PA) Abbot Boniface Wimmer accepted land donation from O’Connell
First Days n Friday, 21 April, 1876 n Fr. Herman Wolfe arrives from Richmond n 2 students come with him They open St. Mary’s College n Classes start immediately n
Mariastein n Fr. Herman names priory for large stone found on property n Legend says stone was an Indian altar n Later used to exhibit slaves for sale n Now used for Baptisms
Abbot Leo Haid n n n Born 1849 – Died 1924 Elected Abbot 1885 Arrived in Garibaldi Station 28 July, 1885 Served as Abbot 39 years Set standards and expectations for college and monastery
The Abbey Church of Maryhelp n n 1 st church was wood frame chapel Expanded twice by 1890 21 March, 1892 ground broken for new brick church Mother (St. ) Katherine Drexel helped fund church n n 1 st mass: December 1893 Blessed 11 April, 1894 Last Renovated 1965 Became a Basilica 1998
The Windows n n Made in Bavaria Painted Glass Won gold medals in World’s Fair, 1892 Honor Saints important to Benedictines
The College n n n 1876 St. Mary’s College 1913 Name changed to Belmont Abbey College 1928 becomes a junior college 1952 College becomes a senior college again 1973 female students live on campus
Becoming a Monk n n n Postulant (up to 6 months) Novitiate (one year) Junior (three years) Solemn Profession Three Vows n n n Stability Obedience Conversion of Life
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