Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary

Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary

Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians is a Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The centerpiece of the shrine is a minor basilica. The shrine has approximately 300,000 visitors per year.

The shrine is located atop a high kame in 400 acres (1.6 km2) of woods. Visitors can climb a 178-step observation tower to view the Milwaukee skyline 30 miles (48 km) away. At approximately 1,350 feet (410 m) above sea level, it is one of the highest points in southeastern Wisconsin.

The basilica hosts weekend Masses. There are also daily religious services and Marian devotions. The main church was built in 1930. It has two eight-foot-tall statues at its entrance, which were placed there in 1958.

The left statue depicts St. Mary, Help of Christians, and the right depicts Saint Joseph, protector of the Carmelites. The inside of the church features mosaics of Discalced Carmelite founders St. Theresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross.

The shrine was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On July 16, 2006, a Mass was held celebrating 100 years of Carmelite stewardship at the site. During that Mass it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI had named Holy Hill a minor basilica. Holy Hill was dedicated as a minor basilica by Archbishop Timothy Dolan dedicated on November 19, 2006. There are fewer than 60 minor basilicas in the United States.

Holy Hill offers simple, overnight accommodations to anyone seeking an opportunity to encounter the Sacred in a place apart from the busy world. Our retreat facilities are housed in two buildings, the “New Guest House” and the “Old Monastery Inn.”

Holy Hill Guest House, as a center for spiritual retreats, maintains a strict no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking policy. No alcohol should be brought into the retreat house. Please Note: the New Guest House and Old Monastery Inn overnight facilities are older, and not handicapped accessible. Access for anyone with a disability can be quite a challenge, as there is a full flight of stairs to the New Guest House rooms, and the four levels in the Old Monastery Inn are connected only by stairs.

Holy Hill is located five miles south of Hartford on Hwy 167 (Holy Hill Road). Take the Hwy 167 (Holy Hill Road) exit, EXIT 57; go west for six miles; the entrance will be on your left.

Location

1525 Carmel Road
Hubertus, Wisconsin
USA

Getting There

The Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary is located in Hubertus, Wisconsin. Tthere are no public transportation options available to reach the shrine. The best way to get there is by car or taxi.

Nearby Airports

This is a list of primary airports in Wisconsin that have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.