Anniversary of the Dedication of the Archabbey Basilica

The Basilica is a modification of Rheinish Romanesque architecture by New York architect William Schickel. The Basilica is 230 feet long and 75 feet wide at the nave and choir, and it is 112 feet wide at the crossing. The sanctuary and monks' choir occupy nearly half the space of the building. In 1996 and 1997 renovations of the Basilica were undertaken, including a new roof, cleaning the exterior bricks, replacing the original steps, painting the interior, restoring the artwork and all of the stained glass windows, restoring the stations of the cross, gilding the cornices, and replacing the old lighting and sound systems. The altar rail was removed, as were the side altars. The altar in the eucharistic transept was replaced by a sacrament tower containing the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament. In 1999 and 2000 two spires and a bell tower were added to the front of the Basilica and the two back spires were re-roofed.