Senate Resolution No. 5595

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of Our Lady of
Victory Church in Brooklyn, New York, to be
celebrated on June 10, 2018

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Victory Church in Brooklyn, New York,
to be celebrated with a special Mass, led by its Pastor, Father Alonzo
Cox and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, followed by an event on Sunday, June
10, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The original wooden structure that stood as the Church of
"Our Lady of Victories" was completed in July of 1868, on McDonough
Street, near the corner of Throop Avenue in what is now deemed the
historic section of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Under the direction of its first Pastor, Reverend Patrick
Creighton, a stone building was erected on 136 McDonough Street in 1875;
through the dedicated work of Father Creighton, and his successor,
Reverend James J. Woods, Our Lady of Victory's building complex expanded
to include a Parish school, a convent which housed the Sisters of St.
Joseph, and a new rectory at the corner of Throop Avenue and Macon
Street; and

WHEREAS, However, the crowning achievement for Fathers Patrick
Creighton and James J. Woods culminated in the funding and construction
of the several-story structure that is recognized today as Our Lady of
Victory Church; this gothic style house of worship was designed by Chief
Architect Thomas Houghton, modeled after St. Macartan's Cathedral in
County Monaghan, Ireland; and

WHEREAS, In 1895, the cornerstone was laid, and Our Lady of Victory
Church was officially dedicated by the first Bishop of Brooklyn, His
Excellency John Loughlin; the Church received monetary donations from
its Irish community and in particular, James McMahon, a wealthy
Irish-American shipping magnate and President of the Emigrant Savings
Bank; and

WHEREAS, The church proper was fitted with outstanding
accoutrements, including a remarkable pipe organ built by Reuben Midmer
& Son, as well as a handsome bell fashioned by the globally sought-after
Meneely Brothers of Troy, New York; within a span of only a few decades,
give or take a few years prior to the stock market crash of 1929, Our
Lady of Victory was a thriving, bustling Parish, with thousands of
Catholic families passing through its doors during any given season; and

WHEREAS, In the wake of the Great Depression, the majority of the
Irish Catholic population departed Bedford Stuyvesant, leaving many of
the now vacant buildings to be occupied by an influx of
African-Americans seeking new opportunities in the area; through their
strong presence, coupled with the leadership of the Parish clergy, Our
Lady of Victory Church survived the more difficult periods which
affected the neighborhood at large; and

WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings, Our Lady of Victory has
functioned not only as a place for American Catholics to call their
spiritual home, but it has been a shining example of community
solidarity in the Diocese of Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, With Parish societies such as the Holy Name, St. Vincent de
Paul and the League of the Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Victory and its
congregation have been dedicated to serving those most in need; in 1975,
Monsignor Joseph A. Nugent established Our Father's House, which
diligently worked to provide housing, treatment, and resources for men
suffering from substance abuse; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1990s, the world-famous nuns of the
Missionaries of Charity took up residence at the convent, becoming
caretakers for struggling pregnant single mothers in the area with the
blessing of their fearless leader, Mother Teresa; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the Churches' old Elementary school currently
serves as a privately run facility which helps to educate adults with
special needs; and

WHEREAS, Under the current Pastorate of Father Alonzo Cox and his
associate, Father Daniel Kingsley, Our Lady of Victory Church stands on
the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming
decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its
past; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Victory Church to be
observed on June 10, 2018, fully confident that this commemoration
reflects the belief in those values which enhance the dignity and
purpose of life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Father Alonzo Cox and Father Daniel Kingsley, Pastors,
and Our Lady of Victory Church in Brooklyn, New York.