By Daniel Payne
Richmond, Va., Dec 15, 2024 / 07:00 am
Catholics who have spent time in both Baltimore and Richmond, Virginia, may be unaware that two near-identical parishes exist in both cities, both built by the same architect-priest and both offering an ideal of what their designer called a “quiet, recollected, prayerful, somber, sanctified” atmosphere of peace and worship.
St. Benedict Church in Baltimore and St. Benedict Church in Richmond were both constructed by Father Michael McInerney, OSB, a monk at Belmont Abbey in North Carolina who lived from 1877–1963.
By the time of his death at age 85, McInerney had designed and built more than 200 churches as well as numerous hospitals, convents, and other works. Among his more notable creations was Sacred Heart College in Belmont, North Carolina, as well as works at his alma mater Belmont College. He is interred at Belmont Abbey.
Though the priest’s works range in style and scope from Gothic to Art Deco, the two churches in Baltimore and Richmond are strikingly similar. Both were dedicated within just a few years of each other — the Richmond parish in 1929 and the Baltimore parish in 1933 — and both have remained active for nearly a century.
Baltimore: ‘A spectacular house of worship’
In his history of the parish, local author John Potyraj describes the Baltimore St.
Welcome to St. Benedict’s Church, a true gem in Baltimore’s Mill Hill neighborhood. This historic church was lovingly built with nickels, as the parish had squirreled away a considerable amount of money in the early 20th century to fund its construction. The result is a beautiful campus that includes a school, rectory, convent, and social center.
Father McInerney, the priest overseeing the construction, was known for his hands-on approach. He regularly scaled the scaffold to inspect the masons’ work and ensure his architectural vision was carried out to perfection. The church’s interior reflects a monastic atmosphere, with ample natural light and modest ornamentation that enhances the worship experience.
One of the most striking features of St. Benedict’s is the towering crucified Christ on the building’s face, overlooking the property and embellished by a beautiful rose window. The parish’s polished pink granite columns, symbolizing the pillars of the divine Church, provide the primary support for this spectacular house of worship.
Come visit St. Benedict’s Church in Baltimore and experience the beauty and history of this architectural masterpiece. With its unique features and rich heritage, it is truly a sight to behold.
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