Founded in 1876. Belmont Abbey College is located ten miles west of Charlotte, NC. The college is located on land donated by Reverend Jeremiah O'Connell, a missioneay priest, who had purchased the land through foreclosure. He wanted to give the tract to a religious community that would use it to create an educational institution for youth.

The Benedictinc monks of Saint Vincent Archabebey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, agreed to accept the land and to found a community and school. On April 21,1876, the Reverend Herman Wolfe, O.S.B., arrived with two young students from Richmond, Virginia to take possession of the property and begin classes that very same day.