Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill

The Basilica and National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill is a significant Roman Catholic Marian shrine located in Hubertus, Wisconsin. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Help of Christians, it is a prominent pilgrimage destination that draws approximately 300,000 visitors annually. Its elevated position atop a kame offers commanding views and has been a site of religious devotion for centuries.

History and Tradition

Tradition suggests the hill was first encountered by Europeans in 1673 by Father Jacques Marquette, though modern historians view this account with skepticism, acknowledging that the Society of Jesus were likely the first Catholic priests to visit the site. The land was originally owned by the U.S. government and was known as "Government Hill." In 1855, forty acres were purchased by Fr. Paulhuber, and a hermit named François Soubrio was the first known white resident around 1862. Soubrio's discovery of an old French diary and map from 1676, describing a cone-shaped mountain dedicated to Mary, aligns with Jesuit missionary activities in the region between 1673 and 1679. Irish settlers later gave the hill the name "Holy Hill."

Father George Strickner established the first Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, a log chapel, on May 24, 1863. The current shrine's origins trace back to a proposal by Fr. Raess in 1879 to construct a new shrine, with construction beginning that spring. Pilgrims began to frequent the site, leading to the decision to have a religious order administer it. A group of Discalced Carmelites from Bavaria accepted the invitation of Archbishop Sebastian Messmer and took charge of the shrine on June 26, 1906. The cornerstone for the third and present shrine was laid by Archbishop Messmer on August 22, 1926, and the church was completed and consecrated in 1931.

Structure and Significance

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill is a functioning church offering daily Masses, services, and Marian devotions. The current basilica church was constructed in 1930. Notable features include two eight-foot-tall statues at the entrance, dedicated in 1958, depicting St. Mary, Help of Christians and St. Joseph. The interior mosaics highlight the Founders of the Discalced Carmelite Order, St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross.

The shrine underwent a significant $6.1 million renovation between 2002 and 2006, involving extensive interior decorative painting and exterior repairs, including a new slate roof for the monastery, main church, and bell tower. In 2006, the shrine was officially elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica by Pope Benedict XVI via Pontifical Decree on July 11, and was dedicated as such by Archbishop Timothy Dolan on November 19, 2006. The basilica is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and marks 100 years of Carmelite stewardship in 2006. New bronze entry doors, designed by architect Duncan G. Stroik and featuring sculptures by Cody Swanson, were dedicated in 2013.