Lancaster Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption had more to celebrate than its feast day this year.
The parish observed its feast on Friday, Aug. 14, the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and unveiled a new Ohio Historical Marker, which designates the basilica as a significant structure in the Buckeye State.
The marker was unveiled and blessed by Bishop Earl Fernandes that evening. A representative from the Ohio History Connection was present to offer remarks.
The basilica’s rector, Msgr. Craig Eilerman, welcomed the historical marker, describing it as state recognition of St. Mary’s role in Ohio history.
“We’re the second oldest parish in the state, and we’re a basilica,” he said of St. Mary of the Assumption, which is more than 200 years old. “We are still a vibrant, active parish.
“Going back to the beginning of the city of Lancaster and back to the beginning of the state of Ohio, we’ve been there through all of that, and I think the state is recognizing that.”
St. Mary applied to erect the basilica as a historical marker more than a year ago. Parishioner Sheila Heath spearheaded the efforts, making a request to the state for a formal designation.
“We were turned down in the first round,” Msgr. Eilerman recalled, “then, the second round, we applied again, and we received it this year. It’s kind of the final piece, … marking the parish and basilica as a significant piece of Ohio history.”
Alexandra Ebeleth, statewide education programs manager for the Ohio History Connection, presented the historical marker after the procession. Bishop Fernandes blessed the new addition, and an ice cream reception followed.
Prior to unveiling the historical marker, the parish celebrated the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption with Mass and an outdoor procession. Parishioners processed with a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary while chanting the Litany of Loretto.
“Assumptions for the last number of years have had particular added significance to them,” Msgr. Eilerman reflected.
The parish has had much cause for celebration recently: the 200th anniversary of its first Mass, which was celebrated in 1817; the 200th anniversary of the parish’s founding in 1819; and 150th anniversary of the completion and consecration of the third church building in 1864, which was raised to a minor basilica in 2022.
St. Mary celebrated the bicentennial of its founding on the solemnity of its patroness, St. Mary of the Assumption, in 2019. “We know that it happened in 1819, that the parish was founded, but there’s no historical date,” Msgr. Eilerman said.
In 2022, the Vatican raised St. Mary of the Assumption from a church to minor basilica. The Lancaster church became the first minor basilica in the Columbus diocese.
“The title was granted,” Msgr. Eilerman explained, “but it took a while. We waited over a year to celebrate it so we could make it a big deal.”
St. Mary celebrated the instillation of the papal insignia for the minor basilica in 2023, which includes the “crossed keys” of the papal symbol along with an official seal; the Umbraculum, or Ombrellino, a red- and yellow-striped processional umbrella; and the Tintinnabulum, a processional bell mounted on a pole. The latter two were used historically to greet the Pope when he visited.
“The past number of years, really since we celebrated the bicentennial and founding of the parish, all these pieces have fallen into place, especially with being named a basilica. This is the last,” Msgr. Eilerman said of the Ohio Historical Marker.
“The historical marker is kind of the capstone of all of that: the recognition outside of the Catholic Church that St. Mary’s has played a significant role – in the history of the parish – and that the basilica is a significant building in the state.”