We are excited to celebrate the people behind this year’s most inspiring preservation projects at the 2025 Preservation Awards. Join us on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at The Caz (2221 Seneca Street) to celebrate the region’s most impactful preservation projects at Preservation Buffalo Niagara’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Please note: The Caz will stay open until 8:30 PM for the Afterparty! Enjoy great company and live music for an extra hour — Thank you, Jake!!
For more information on the Preservation Awards, please click here.
To purchase tickets for the Preservation Awards, please click here.
Honoring Sacred Heritage: Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica
For over a century, the Our Lady of Victory (OLV) National Shrine and Basilica has stood as a beacon of faith, hope, and service in Lackawanna, New York. Known for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance, the Basilica is a lasting testament to the vision of Father Nelson Baker, whose legacy of compassion and community building continues to inspire generations.
In 2021, OLV embarked on a significant journey to preserve not just a building, but an entire legacy. Working with KTA Preservation Specialists, OLV sought to list the Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church Complex on the National Register of Historic Places – a process that spanned nearly three years and culminated in a well-deserved recognition in 2024.
Rather than simply nominating the iconic Basilica alone, the nomination embraced the full scope of Father Baker’s impact, proposing a historic district that includes 13 buildings across several blocks. This broader vision captured the architectural, cultural, and community significance of the entire OLV campus, including structures like the former orphanage at 780 Ridge Road (now home to OLV Charities), the Knights of Columbus Father Baker Council, the St. Gianna Molla Center, and several other key buildings that reflect the enduring spirit of service and outreach.
For their visionary efforts to preserve this sacred site and the enduring legacy of Father Baker, we are proud to honor Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica with the 2025 Preservation Award for Sacred Site.
Congratulations to the entire OLV community for this extraordinary achievement.
Fun Fact: Annie Schentag of KTA, who played a critical role in the OLV National Register of Historic Places nomination process, is one of our board members at Preservation Buffalo Niagara! OLV continues to raise funds to preserve this remarkable site – help the cause by visiting their events: OLV Basilica Events.