Our Lady of Victory Basilica (Lackawanna, New York)
Our Lady of Victory Basilica | ||
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Year consecrated 1926 | | |
Location | ||
Location | 767 Ridge Road Lackawanna, New York, United States | |
Geographic coordinates | 42°49′33″N 78°49′25″W / 42.82583°N 78.82361°W | |
Architecture | ||
Architect(s) | Emile Ulrich | |
Type | Basilica | |
Groundbreaking | 1921 | |
Completed | 1926 | |
Specifications | ||
Direction of façade | North | |
Capacity | 1,200 sitting | |
Dome height (outer) | 165 feet (50 m) | |
Dome height (inner) | 120 feet (37 m) | |
Dome dia. (inner) | 80 feet (24 m) | |
Spire(s) | 2 | |
Materials | Marble | |
Website | ||
www.ourladyofvictory.org |
The Our Lady of Victory Basilica is a
History
In 1916, fire seriously damaged St. Patrick's Parish Church in Lackawanna, New York. Repairs were made, but Father Baker, superintendent priest of the busy parish developed plans to replace the church. On May 7, 1921, Father Baker celebrated the last Mass at St. Patrick's.
The structure was immediately dismantled to make way for something larger. Construction on the basilica began in 1921 after Father Baker unveiled plans at a parish council meeting to build a shrine in
By late 1925, construction on the
The basilica has had only two significant changes to its original design. The first came in 1941 during a violent lightning storm that caused significant damage to the basilica's twin towers.
Baker's first successor, Monsignor Joseph Maguire, took charge of the efforts to refurbish the structures. He had the marble towers replaced with the lower, enclosed, copper dome-tipped towers that still top the basilica today. Following the harsh winter of 2001–2002, the roof of the National Shrine was found to have significantly deteriorated. Its copper had turned a greenish hue due to overexposure to the elements (a similar chemical effect as seen on the Statue of Liberty) and was no longer weather tight. A new copper roof was installed.
In 2001, a celebration of the National Shrine's
The basicila complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.[3]
Relics of Father Baker
In July 1998, through the efforts of Bishop
On March 11, 1999, Father Baker's casket was carried by six men who were raised by Baker, and placed in a sarcophagus within the Grotto Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, found on the southern end of the basilica's transept. It is estimated that nearly 6,000 people attended the event at the basilica that day to honor Baker and his work. The re-interment helped raise awareness of Baker, his mission, and his legacy across the world. On January 14, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI declared Fr. Baker "venerable".[4]
Architecture
Exterior
The design of the exterior of the basilica was the work of French ecclesiastical architect Emile Ulrich.[2] To fulfill Father Baker's wish for the finest materials and workmanship, Ulrich halted all other projects from his architectural firm in Cleveland and spent his time personally inspecting artists' work both in the United States and Europe.[5]
The majority of the exterior of the shrine is constructed almost entirely of pure white marble, supplied by the Georgia Marble Company of Tate, Georgia. 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 also be found.
Great dome
A prominent feature of the basilica's exterior is the large copper dome. The dome, measuring 165 feet in height, was second in size only to the
Twin towers
The original twin towers of the basilica, when completed in 1926, stood at a height of 165 feet (about 16 stories). The spires were made completely of marble and had an open design. In 1941, a violent lightning storm caused major damage to both the towers, forcing redesign and refurbishing. The new towers, enclosed and much shorter than the originals, are topped with copper domes, similar to the design of the basilica's Great Dome.
Main entrance
Two large
Interior
The great dome and ceiling
The largest work of art is the decoration of the Great Dome, 80 feet (24 m) in diameter, which depicts the
From the Great Dome to the choir loft, the
The main altar
The main altar features a 9 feet (2.7 m) tall, 1,600 pounds (730 kg) statue of Our Lady of Victory. This was blessed by Pope Pius XI after being sculpted in Italy. Baker placed a painting of the pope on the altar in return.
Flanking the altar are four, swirled marble columns of rare red marble, reminiscent of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. A legend told about the marble says a group of Buffalo-born soldiers stumbled upon the unique red marble while in Spain during World War I. Upon seeing it, the soldiers thought immediately of the basilica being built at home by Father Baker. They went to talk to the Spanish farmer who owned the property. After hearing the story of Father Baker, the farmer agreed to donate the "useless rock" on his property. Arrangements were made and the marble was sent to Lackawanna to complete the work on the basilica's altar.[7]
The main altar stands under a bright blue dome depicting the
Items of Papal significance
Near the altar, at one end of the
Stations of the Cross
The shrine is flanked by the 14 marble Stations of the Cross, which depict Jesus' final hours before his death. Rather than the elements being carved from separate blocks of marble and assembled for each Station afterwards, each Station was sculpted from single blocks. The figures are depicted at life size. The Italian sculptor Pepini spent 14 years on the design and execution.[7]
The station entitled "Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother" was one of Father Baker's favorite places in the basilica. In his 80s by the time the basilica was completed, Baker could be often found leaning on the
The organ
When the original, custom-made
The grotto and Father Baker's remains
Baker's remains are in a sarcophagus within the Grotto Shrine to
Other places of interest
Other sculptures and artwork: The interior is decorated with several religious paintings, sculptures, and
Pews and aisle: The basilica's
Altars: In keeping with the style of architecture, five unique altars line the rear wall behind the main altar. These altars are dedicated to:
Baptistery: Located adjacent to the main altar, the bapistery features a marble baptismal font, as well as dozens of wall and ceiling paintings with religious symbols and peoples.
Father Baker Museum: During late 2009, construction began to create a small museum about Father Baker's life and the history of the Our Lady of Victory Institutions. It is located in the basilica's basement, where the chapel and Father Baker Rooms were formerly located. A number of photos, official documents, vintage newspapers, and Baker's belongings are on display. Items such as Father Baker's desk, books, clothing, and furniture can be found throughout the museum. Also in the museum are cases of photos, information, and
Gallery
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Artwork on the ceiling of the basilica.
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Engraving on top of entrance reading "Our Lady of Victory".
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The interior of the basilica.
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Welcome sign for Fr. Baker's basilica and parish.
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A close up of The Pieta, one of the 14 Stations of the Cross.
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One of five saints altars lining the wall behind the Main Altar.
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One of several statues of Mary inside the basilica.
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A side view of the Great Dome exterior.
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A close-up view of the Great Dome exterior.
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A front view of the basilica's twin towers.
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The main altar.
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Murals on the interior ceiling.
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One of the tabernacles.
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Another of the tabernacles inside the basilica.
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The side and front exterior.
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Grotto shrine to Lourdes with sarcophagus of Fr. Baker's remains.
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A pan down shot from the Great Dome to the main altar.
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Detail of the artwork and stained glass windows under Great Dome.
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A few of the saint altars that line the wall behind main altar.
References
- ^ Buffalodiocese.org
- ^ a b c "The Story of Our Lady of Victory Basilica", Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica Archived 2014-09-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 2/26/2024 THROUGH 3/1/2024". National Park Service. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- JSTOR 44195766.
- ^ "On-Line Tour of the Our Lady of Victory Basilica & National Shrine - Exterior". Our Lady of Victory Institutions website. Our Lady of Victory Institutions, Lackawanna. 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ a b c d "On-Line Tour of the Our Lady of Victory Basilica & National Shrine - Interior". Our Lady of Victory Institutions website. Our Lady of Victory Institutions, Lackawanna. 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ a b "The City of Lackawanna Web Site: Our Lady of Victory Basilica & National Shrine". City of Lackawanna website. City of Lackawanna. 2006–2007.
- ^ "The Father Baker Story: Twilight". Our Lady of Victory Institutions website. Our Lady of Victory Institutions, Lackawanna. 2002. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
External links
Our Lady of Victory Basilica (Lackawanna, New York) (category)