Our Lady of Victory Church Project Wins Landmark Society Award
SWBR was recognized by The Landmark Society of Western New York with a 2019 Stewardship Award for its work on the Our Lady of Victory Church Restoration in Rochester. The annual award is given to individuals and organizations in the nine-county area that have made outstanding strides in the preservation of their homes, public buildings, historic properties, and landscapes.
Before Renovation (Above)
Our Lady of Victory Church was originally built in 1868 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Having endured various sub-par renovations over the years, in 2017, the church hired Granda Liturgical Arts, a world-renown liturgical arts workshop headquartered in Spain, to restore its interior. As architect of record, SWBR, with Ryan Zegarelli, AIA as project manager, was responsible for the general contract work and coordinating with Granda, as well as collaborating with local artisans. The historic restoration was completed in time for the churches’ 150th anniversary celebration.
The finished product included the restoration of intricately carved altarpieces, statuary, and paintings, and new Rojo Alicante & Crema Marfil marble sanctuary flooring and porcelain tile. Twenty new gilded finials (ceiling accents) were created by taking molds of the existing finials, which were in disrepair. Other notable elements include new historically accurate liturgical furnishings, a new Quiet Room with leaded glass doors, solid oak pews, a newly painted and stenciled pipe organ, and a new lighting scheme that compliments the design.
The project team also included general contractor Frank J. Marianacci, artist Scott Grove, and craftsman Sean Fallon. The annual Awards Ceremony was held on November 17, 2019 at Rochester’s historic City Hall.
