A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Shortly after a fire severely damaged St. Patrick's Church in Lackawanna, Father Nelson Baker dreamed of replacing it with a grander building dedicated to Our Lady of Victory. The Basilica construction began in 1921 and was finished by Christmas of 1925. Take a look inside one of Western New York's most beautiful churches.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
A perspective using a drone of Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The church is very symbolic with every detail planned out, such as the three mahogany pipe organ towers in the choir loft that represent the Holy Trinity.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Tourists from all over the world make the trip to Lackawanna to take in the beauty of Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
When it was built, the dome was only second in size to the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Measuring 80 feet in diameter and close to 120 feet from the floor, the dome contains the painting of the Assumption and Coronation of the Blessed Mother.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Around the dome's outer edge are the 12 apostles and three archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The angelic host carries Mary heavenward where she is greeted by the Holy Trinity.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Part of the Holy Trinity is the dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, and is at the center of the painting in the dome.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The statue of Our Lady of Victory located high on the altar is a solid piece of Carrara marble and weighs 1,800 pounds.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The many Latin words found written on the walls of Our Lady of Victory Basilica are part of a litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The five giant murals painted on the ceiling from the choir loft to the dome depict Mary as Queen of Patriarchs, Queen of the Apostles, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the Prophets and Queen of the Martyrs.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The pews are made of rare African mahogany, and the sloping floor from back to front allows for unobstructed views of the main altar.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Huge bronze doors welcome worshipers to the beauty of Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The original Wurlitzer organ was replaced in 1981 with a 54 Rank pipe organ from the Delaware Pipe Organ Co.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Three mahogany towers hold pipes in the choir loft. There are also pipes behind grates throughout the entire church.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The pipes range in sizes from 6 inches to almost 18 feet tall.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The church is very symbolic with every detail planned out, such as the three mahogany pipe organ towers in the choir loft that represent the Holy Trinity.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The fourth station in the Stations of the Cross that line the outer walls was said to be Father Baker's favorite. He would often be seen standing near it in prayer and meditation.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Stations of the Cross line the walls at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. The solid block marble sculptures are works of Italian artist Pepini. Two additional stations were added to the 14 for symmetry in the building process.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Two additional Stations of the Cross, one at the beginning and the other at the end, were added to the 14 Stations of the Cross to give the building symmetry. The sculpture of the first extra station is of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Two additional Stations of the Cross, one at the beginning and the other at the end, were added to the 14 Stations of the Cross to give the building symmetry.The sculpture of the last extra station is of Jesus in the arms of the Blessed Mother.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The third station in the Stations of the Cross: Jesus Falls for the First time.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
There is estimated to be between 1,500 to 2,000 angels throughout the entire Basilica - in paintings or sculptures - such as these that hold holy water in the vestibule.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Most of the sculptures and the 16,000 square feet of flooring were done by the Tinetti brothers in Italy. The only sculptures they did not create are the statues of Our Lady of Victory on the altar and the exterior front entrance as well as all of the Stations of the Cross.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The painting "Jesus and the Little Children" by Italian artist Gonippo Raggi is seen in the vestibule of Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. Raggi lived for two years with the Twist family of Lackawanna as he completed his work on the Basilica and as a tribute to them painted the Twist daughters into his painting.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
A copy of a photo of the Twist family that Italian artist Gonippo Raggi used in his painting "Jesus and the Little Children." Raggi lived for two years with the Twist family of Lackawanna as he completed his work on the Basilica and as a tribute to them painted the Twist daughters into his painting.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The half-open umbrella to the right of the altar is called a Canopeum. Made with the papal colors of red and yellow, it's half open in anticipation of the arrival of the pope. If a pope visits the Basilica, it will be opened and used in a special procession.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
A tintinnabulum is a bell mounted on a staff that is to the left of the altar. It signifies the church's link with the pope. The tintinnabulum consists of a small gold bell within a golden frame crowned with the papal tiara and Keys of Heaven. If the pope says a Mass in the Basilica, the tintinnabulum would be used to lead the procession down the shrine's aisle.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
People prepare for the 12:10 p.m. weekday Mass at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Rev. Romulus Rosolowski puts on his vestments in the sacristy at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments (such as the alb and chasuble) and sacred vessels.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Rev. Romulus Rosolowski presides during the 12:10 p.m. weekday mass at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Rev. Romulus Rosolowski presides during the 12:10 p.m. weekday mass at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Rev. Romulus Rosolowski presides during the 12:10 p.m. weekday mass at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The focal point of the altar is the Our Lady Of Victory statue that stands 9 feet tall and received a papal blessing from Pope Pius XI before being shipped to the United States.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
In gratitude for giving his papal blessing to the Our Lady of Victory statue that sits on the altar, a painting of Pope Pius XI was done on the left side of the altar.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
On the right side of the altar is a painting of New York Archbishop Patrick Joseph Hayes. Cardinal Hayes officiated over the consecration celebration of the basilica on May 25, 1926.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
There are many altars throughout Our Lady of Victory Basilica dedicated to different saints. The St. Joseph altar is dedicated to the foster father of Jesus and is on the right side of the main altar.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
One of the four paintings inside the St. Joseph altar shows the Holy Family in the carpenter shop.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The person responsible for planning the interior of the Basilica was artist Gonippo Raggi. The Italian-born Raggi created ecclesiastical art in churches all over the United States. Raggi worked in cooperation with Polish immigrants and Buffalonian Marion Rzeznik to do all of the oil paintings and murals found within the church. Rzeznick is also known for his paintings in other Buffalo churches such as St. Stanislaus and St. John Gualbert.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother is the fourth station in the Stations of the Cross that line the outer walls and was said to be Father Baker's favorite. Baker often would be seen standing near it in prayer and meditation.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The stained glass throughout the basilica was created by Buffalo designer and craftsman Otto F. Andrle. The window in the vestibule above the main center doors shows his name.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
This stained glass window was crafted by Buffalo designer Otto F. Andrle.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
There are not many free-standing statues in the Basilica. This one of Our Lady of Victory was believed to come from the original St. Patrick's church that once stood on the site of the Basilica.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Baptistry is located on the west side of the Basilica near the main altar. There was a restoration of the art in the room done in 1997.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Christ Child, the Lamb and the Tree painted on the middle of the ceiling of the Baptistry. The Christ Child stands with welcoming arms next to the Lamb (the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world). Behind him is a young boy, who having heard the words of Christ: u201cBring me the children,u201d waits to be baptized. The tree at the left side of the Lamb suggests the Tree of Life or eternal life.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
John the Baptist at the Jordan River, part of the art in the Baptistry at the Basilica.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
On top of the baptismal font in the Baptistry in the Basilica is an ornate marble carving of St. John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
On top of the baptismal font in the Baptistry in the Basilica is an ornate marble carving of St. John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Our Lady of Victory's life is celebrated in the sculptures, paintings and stained glass throughout the Basilica. The recently crafted altar was designed as a representation of the history of the prayer and mysteries of the rosary. The wood, marble and gold piece was created by OLV parishioner Jon Trabucco of Clarence. Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone consecrated the new altar during a Mass in August 2016.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Our Lady of Victory's life is celebrated in the sculptures, paintings and stained glass throughout the Basilica. The recently crafted altar was designed as a representation of the history of the prayer and mysteries of the rosary. The wood, marble and gold piece was created by OLV parishioner Jon Trabucco of Clarence. Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone consecrated the new altar during a Mass in August 2016.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
There are five unique altars that line the wall behind the main altar. These altars are dedicated to St. Patrick, St. Aloysius, Mary Immaculate, St. Anne and St. Vincent de Paul, whose life work with the poor and needy inspired the church's founder Father Nelson Baker.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The altar of St. Patrick along the rear wall of the main altar.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Candles burn at the altar dedicated to St. Patrick.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
St. Patricku2019s Church in Lackawanna was struck by a fire in 1916. The fire caused major damage to the structure and set the wheels in motion for Father Baker to develop plans to replace the church. Father Baker celebrated the last Mass at St. Patricku2019s on May 7, 1921.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The altar of St. Aloysius Gonzaga is at the rear of the main altar. St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a Jesuit and is the patron saint of young students.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The statue of St. Thérèse behind the main altar is one of the few made from plaster that was brought from the former St. Patricku2019s Church. St. Thérèse, also known as u201cThe Little Floweru201d, is the patron saint of aviators, florists, illness(es) and missions.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Holy oils behind the main altar.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The altar of the Blessed Virgin in the back of the main altar.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The statue of St. Anthony in the back of the main altar is made of plaster and is also believed to be from the former St. Patricku2019s Church. St. Anthony is the patron saint for the recovery of lost items.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The St. Anne statue shows her teaching her daughter Mary. St. Anne, the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus, is the patron saint of unmarried women, housewives, women in labor, grandmothers, horseback riders, cabinet-makers.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The statue of St. Vincent de Paul is part of the five statues of saints behind the main altar. The statue was purchased and donated by u201cFather Bakeru2019s Boysu201d whom Father Baker helped put through school and get jobs. Father Baker modeled his life after St. Vincent de Paul who was dedicated to working with the poor.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The St. Anne statue shows her teaching her daughter Mary. St. Anne, the mother of the Mary and the grandmother of Jesus, is the patron saint of unmarried women, housewives, women in labor, grandmothers, horseback riders, cabinet-makers.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The door to a confessional at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Two large murals face one another just below the dome. One depicts the Nativity scene and the other the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The tomb of the earthly remains of Father Nelson Baker lies before the Grotto Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes. The grotto was hewn out of lava rock from Mount Vesuvius in Italy. At the time of its construction, Father Baker insisted on finding a material that was untouched by human hands to pay tribute to the vision of Our Blessed Lady to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The kneeler in front of the tomb of Father Baker has an inscribed prayer petition.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Most of the paintings throughout the Basilica were painted to look like mosaics. However, there is one true mosaic of Our Lady of Perpetual Help located in the Grotto Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Basilica's pews are made of rare African mahogany and provide seating for more than 1,200 individuals.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The original twin towers, when completed in 1926, stood at a height of 165 feet. In 1941, a violent lightning storm caused major damage to both the towers, forcing a redesign and refurbishing.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
A museum dedicated to the life of Father Baker and the building of the Basilica are located on the bottom floor of the church.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The museum occupies most of the lower level of the Basilica. It was renovated and reopened in 2009 and takes visitors on a tour of Father Baker's life and charitable works that continue to this day.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Father Nelson Henry Baker died on July 29, 1936, at the age of 94. He was a veteran of the Union Army serving in the 74th Regiment of the New York State Militia that saw duty at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was ordained a priest on March 19, 1876, by Bishop Stephen V. Ryan at St. Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Buffalo.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Father Baker's bible rests on his nightstand by his bed in the museum exhibit of his living quarters.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The Sisters of St. Joseph Chapel on the lower level of Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Filled with artifacts from his life, cherished memories of people impacted by Father Baker's ministry, and other facts and figures, the museum serves as a tool to illustrate both the history and present-day impact of Baker's Legacy of Caring.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
A daguerreotype image of Father Baker (in the center) in the archives of Our Lady of Victory Basilica. A daguerreotype is a unique image created on a silvered copper plate.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Construction of the basilica began in 1921 and was finished by Christmas of 1925. The cost of the project was $3.2 million and was completely paid for at the time of completion.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The artwork of the dome at the main entrance to Our lady of Victory Basilica.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The majority of the exterior of the shrine is constructed almost entirely of pure white marble. Throughout the Basilica's interior and parts of the exterior, a combination of more than 40 different types, colors and designs of Italian marble can be found.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
The front entrance of Our Lady of Victory Basilica.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
A statue of Our Lady of Victory rests above the main entrance to the Basilica in Lackawanna.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
Four copper angel statues playing trumpets, measuring 18 feet tall, are mounted on the dome.
A Closer Look: Our Lady of Victory Basilica
In 1999 Father Baker's earthly remains were moved from Holy Cross Cemetery and reinterred under the Our Lady of Lourdes altar inside the Basilica. In January 2011, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate a decree recognizing Father Baker's "heroic virtue," and designating him Venerable.
In this season of Easter, Passover and – soon – Ramadan, we explore the safety considerations and health benefits of worshipping in person.