Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington

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St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, KY

St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption interior in 2006.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, is one of the minor basilicas in the United States. The cathedral was started by the Diocese of Covington's third bishop, Camillus Paul Maes, in 1894. The cathedral project was terminated in 1915, though it is incomplete, even to this day. The exterior is inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The interior was modeled after the Abbey Church of St. Denis in Paris. The recent restoration of the Cathedral earned a 2002 Preservation Award from the Cincinnati Preservation Association. For the interior restoration, Conrad Schmitt Studios conducted cleaning of the stone ribs, tracery and walls. Studio artists also provided plaster restoration and select faux stone painting.The cathedral was elevated to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Pius XII on December 8, 1953.