Architecture Our Lady of Victory Basilica (Lackawanna, New York)

1 architecture

1.1 exterior

1.1.1 great dome
1.1.2 twin towers
1.1.3 main entrance


1.2 interior

1.2.1 great dome , ceiling
1.2.2 main altar
1.2.3 items of papal significance
1.2.4 stations of cross
1.2.5 organ
1.2.6 grotto , father baker s remains
1.2.7 other places of interest

architecture
exterior

the design of exterior of basilica work of french ecclesiastical architect, emile ulrich. fulfill father baker s wish finest materials , workmanship, ulrich halted other projects architectural firm in cleveland , spent time inspecting artists work both in united states , europe.

the majority of exterior of shrine constructed entirely of pure white marble, supplied georgia marble company of tate, georgia. throughout basilica s interior , parts of exterior, combination of more 40 different types, colors, , designs of italian marble can found.

great dome

a close of exterior of great dome.

a prominent feature of basilica s exterior large copper dome. dome, measuring 165 feet in height, second in size u.s. capitol building in washington, d.c. @ time of completion in 1926. on years, dome s original copper has aged green patina, expected. 4 copper angel statues playing trumpets, measuring 18 feet tall, mounted on dome.

twin towers

the original twin towers of basilica, when completed in 1926, stood @ height of 165 feet (about 16 stories). spires made of marble , had open design. in 1941, violent lightning storm caused major damage both towers, forcing redesign , refurbishing. new towers, enclosed , shorter originals, topped copper domes, similar design of basilica s great dome.

main entrance

the colonnade features figure of father baker on side exterior of basilica.

two large colonnades extend outward , flank exterior sides of shrine @ main entrance. on top of each marble sculpture of group of children overseen large angel. on left colonnade (when facing basilica s front), children led nun. figure represents sisters of st. joseph, order has staffed our lady of victory institutions since 1856. on right colonnade, children led priest, father baker. figure of baker ordered ulrich honor priest several contributions our lady of victory institutions. @ entrance basilica domed niche houses 12-foot-tall, 16,000-pound (eight tons) statue of our lady of victory, crafted of finest carerra marble available.

interior
the great dome , ceiling

interior of our lady of victory basilica.

the largest work of art decoration of great dome, 80 feet (24 m) in diameter, depicts assumption of mary , blessed mother s coronation. around dome s outer edge, 12 apostles , 3 archangels shown, while angelic host carries mary towards heaven. higher within dome, jesus in red robes can seen awaiting her. @ pinnacle of dome, 120 feet (37 m) above basilica floor, white dove of peace looks down heaven @ basilica.

from great dome choir loft, ceiling covered 5 giant murals. depict mary queen of patriarchs, queen of apostles, queen of angels, queen of prophets, , queen of martyrs. 2 walls on basilica s sides feature huge paintings depicting scenes gospels: massacre of innocents, flight egypt, , birth of jesus @ bethlehem.

the main altar

detail of statue of our lady of victory on main altar.

the main altar features 9 feet (2.7 m) tall, 1,600 pounds (730 kg) statue of our lady of victory. blessed pope pius xi after being sculpted in italy. baker placed painting of pope on altar in return.

flanking altar 4 swirled marble columns of rare red marble, reminiscent of st. peter s basilica in rome. legend told marble says group of buffalo-born soldiers stumbled upon unique red marble while in spain during world war i. upon seeing it, soldiers thought of basilica being built @ home father baker. went talk spanish farmer owned property. after hearing story of father baker, farmer agreed donate useless rock on property. arrangements made , marble sent lackawanna complete work on basilica s altar.

the main altar stands under bright blue dome depicting holy spirit in brilliant hues. on ceiling on altar, elongated panel represents queen of saints. among saints mary magdalene, st. anthony, st. elizabeth, st. anne, , st. theresa.

items of papal significance

near altar, @ 1 end of pews, stands umbraculum, symbolic canopy or umbrella kept half open until pope visits basilica , opens it. tintinnabulum, small gold bell mounted on pole golden frame, stands @ other end. used lead procession when pope says mass within basilica. these 2 items, along personal coat of arms of pope, hangs above bronze main entrance doors, signify shrine s basilica status within catholic community.

stations of cross

one of 14 lifesize marble stations of cross.

the shrine flanked 14 marble stations of cross, depict jesus final hours before death. rather elements being carved separate blocks of marble , assembled each station afterwards, each station sculpted single blocks. figures depicted @ life size. italian sculptor, pepini, spent 14 years on design , execution.

the station entitled jesus meets afflicted mother 1 of father baker s favorite places in basilica. in 80s time basilica completed, baker found leaning on pillar closest station, meditating , saying prayers.

the organ

when original, custom-made wurlitzer organ installed in choir loft had deteriorated beyond repair, specially-designed 54-rank pipe organ installed in place. built delaware pipe organ co. , installed in 1981, organ has 3 mahogany pipe towers, each in eight-foot semicircle, representing holy trinity. there 51 pipes in 3 towers, balance of pipes located behind towers. pipework of metal , wood, , ranges in length 6 inches 18 feet.

the grotto , father baker s remains

the grotto shrine remains of father nelson baker placed in sarcophagus.

baker s remains in sarcophagus within grotto shrine our lady of lourdes, found on southern end of basilica s transept. grotto hewn out of black lava rock mount vesuvius in italy. baker, had died in 1936, had wanted find construction material untouched humans commemorate vision of blessed mother st. bernadette in lourdes, france.

other places of interest

other sculptures , artwork: interior decorated several religious paintings, sculptures, , mosaics depicting devotion blessed mother. estimated 1,500 2,500 angels can found in basilica in sculptures , artwork. baker s plan place angel in every possible sightline, remind visitors although basilica dedicated our lady of victory, main purpose meant god s praise , glory.

some of pictures , memorabilia found in father baker rooms in basement of basilica.

pews , aisle: basilica s pews made of rare african mahogany, , provide seating more 1,200 individuals. shrine s floor , aisle gradually sloped ensure visitors have unobstructed view of basilica s main altar.

altars: in keeping style of architecture, 5 unique altars line rear wall behind main altar. these altars dedicated to: st. patrick, st. aloysius, mary immaculate, st. anne, , st. vincent de paul, life work poor , needy inspired father baker.

baptistery: located adjacent main altar, bapistery features marble baptismal font, dozens of wall , ceiling paintings religious symbols , peoples.

father baker museum:

during late 2009, construction began create small museum father baker s life , history of our lady of victory institutions. located in basilica s basement, chapel , father baker rooms formerly located. number of photos, official documents, vintage newspapers, , baker s belongings on display. items such father baker s desk, books, clothing, , furniture can found throughout museum. in museum cases of photos, information, , memorabilia our lady of victory institutions, such infant home, orphanage, protectory, , basilica itself. on floor remodeled gift shop offering religious items such rosaries, , related goods.