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Father Baker's National Shrine and Basilica of Our Blessed Lady of Victory
Lackawanna, N. Y.

The Rt. Rev. Nelson H. Baker, L.L.D., P.A.

The Stained Glass Windows in this Beautiful Edifice produced by Otto F. Andrle Stained Glass Art Inst. Inc. Buffalo, N. Y.

The beautiful stained glass windows erected in the great Basilica of our Blessed Lady of Victory are attracting marked attention of connoisseurs and those interested in ecclesiastical art.  The Rt. Rev. Msgr. N. H. Baker, who for several years had considered the possibilities of art productions for his windows, succeeded in obtaining perhaps the finest windows in the United States.  It is said that windows erected in some of the famous churches of the 13th century have never been equaled, but students of the present period have classified those in this beautiful shrine as reflecting the deep religious feeling prevailing at that time.

The realization of this marvelous work can better be appreciated by a visit to the shrine, where thousands of visitors view this wonderful Temple annually.  There are one hundred and thirty-four windows in the Basilica, the two largest being 13 feet in diameter.  There are sixty-three windows 5 feet wide by 12 feet high, 32 windows 20 inches wide by 48 inches high, and sixteen dome windows with angels in adoration.

The large Rose windows in the Transepts are marvels of beauty, the central figures being St. George and St. Michael surrounded by angels and cherubs, interspersed with beautiful Renaissance ornament.  Without artistic windows, in this great edifice, all other arts would be amiss; the windows have been designed with symbolism of coloring, the rays of which beautify every nook of the grand interior.

Great care has been exercised by the artist to produce ecclesiastical atmosphere, and the result is wonderfully pleasing and inspiring.  Needless to say the architectural surroundings of the windows are in strict harmony with the edifice.  For centuries a blight has been put upon the great art of producing stained glass windows, but after the year of 1860 rapid strides were made in this sacred art.  The rising generation of glass painters was carefully taught the art, and made it the study of their lifetime.  It is true that the world has never seen finer glass than that of the present day, and it is no exaggeration to affirm that the windows in the great shrine at Lackawanna equal if not excel many of the ancient windows produced in the archaic or medieval periods, which glass is still the wonder and admiration of the world.

The windows in this grand Basilica are entitled to the artistic and ecclesiastical preference given them, on account of their profound meaning and elevating nature;  regarding every point from which they can be critically studied;  the composition of drawing, the facial expression, beautiful harmony and symphony of color treatment, which is most pleasing, reveal a faultless and restful treatment, inspiring sentiment and devotion.  It is interesting to note that this remarkable work of art was produced by Otto F. Andrle, Art Director of our Studio, who by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. N. H. Baker was honored with the commission, unsolicited, to produce the stained glass for this great monument.

Inquiries from many of the visiting clergy are made to determine from which part of Europe the windows came.  The windows are produced in the technique of medieval art and guaranteed indestructible, whilst many of the European imports of the present period may be seen to be fading or decaying after exposure to our climate.

"Stained glass is a memorial art -- it is the most durable form of decorative art known -- with the possible exception of mosaic.  It conveys the records of its founders to their descendants hundreds of years afterward, and is therefore the most suitable medium for preserving the memory of great deeds and great men."

Windows produced by The Otto F. Andrle Studios are individual, and generally preferred by connoisseurs of the art, on account of their artistic character, brilliancy and beautiful color harmony.  Father Baker is to be congratulated in recognizing Mr. Andrle's capabilities, especially to encourage American Art, there being some very poor examples of imported windows to be seen in America.

Mr. Andrle, who for the past thirty-five years has made an exclusive study of Ecclesiastical Art, has attained recognition by church authorities as worthy of comparison with the early masters.  He received some of his early training in drawing and painting from Mr. L.G. Selsted, dean of art, Buffalo;  A. Stacey of England, and other famous German Artists.  He is a member of the Christian Art Society  in Munich.

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Rev. M. Phillips, Our Lady of Lourdes,  Buffalo, N. Y.

Artists of your caliber ought to be known and patronized especially our own American boys.  Some people believe that Germany only can produce works of art.  They are so blinded that they can see nothing beautiful in this country.  I saw mighty poor work of Germany's artists, and some good things also.  Our country has good things too, but our people do not appreciate it.

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Rev. John J. McMahon, St. Mark's Church, Buffalo, N. Y.

I wish to congratulate you on the stained glass windows installed in our church.  The entire work is highly artistic, the arrangement of the subjects is in perfect harmony with the Gospel narrative, and the entire color scheme is truly pleasing.  The work as a whole compares most favorably with any work done abroad.

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Rev. Francis X. Scherer, Our Lady Help of Christians Shrine, Cheektowaga, New York

I am very well pleased with the new windows placed in our church. They are real works of art and compare favorably with imports.  What I like most in your productions is the judicious selection of the symbolic colors and the artistic yet natural expression of the figures.

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Rev. John A. Karnis, Holy Trinity Church, Maltby, Pa.

A marvel of beauty and deep expression of religious feeling are evidenced in the windows of our church, and students of art have classified this fine work with some of the churches in France, England and Germany.

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Rev. Wm. J. Schreck, St. Gerard's Church, Buffalo, N.Y.

I feel it a duty of gratitude to express my appreciation of the fine specimens of stained glass with which you have adorned our church.  I am glad that we have right here in our city an institution of such artistic merit.

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Rev. John S. Sabota, St. Joseph's Church, Nanicoke, Pa.

I hasten to acknowledge the beautiful work you have installed;  not only myself but all my parishioners are delighted with the windows.  Have had strangers come in purposely to see them.

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Rev. T. Maurice O'Hern, St. Clara's Church, Clarendon, Pa., St. Anthony's Church, Sheffield, Pa.

I am very well pleased with the windows in both my churches in Clarendon and Sheffield.  They look remarkably fine.

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Rev. J. Kiffer, St. Agnes Church, Buffalo, N. Y.

I have succeeded in obtaining some of the finest windows in the States.  Not any imports could in any way have been produced any better, if as good.

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Rev. J.B. Baillorgen, Englise St. Jean Baptiste Church, Troy, N. Y.

The windows installed in St. Jeane's Church have been a subject of admiration for all those who know how to appreciate what is beautiful.  After having analyzed carefully your work in our church no one will be tempted to go abroad for something better.  The clergy and laity are unanimous in praise of the artistic choice of compositions which make the subjects so completely explained in conformity with the scriptural text.

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Rev. P.J. Gemuengt, Fourteen Holy Helpers Shrine, Gardenville, N. Y.

The new windows elicit general admiration.  Beautiful spirituality is expressed in a truly saint like countenance of each one of the fourteen saints.  The windows lend reverent atmosphere to our church.

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Rev. James C. Bubenheim, St. Mary Magdalene Church, Buffalo, N. Y.

I am pleased that I left the matter of the large Transept windows of my church to your discretion.  Other windows installed in our church by different firms have proven a failure.  Everyone who has seen your windows were under the impression that they were of the best imports known.  There is no need of importing windows if such works of art are produced in America.

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Rev. John Reuland, Holy Trinity Church, Syracuse, N. Y.

Concerning the windows I must say that they are not only nice, but glorious.  This is the verdict of all who see them, without exception.  You may remind everyone who applies for glass paintings, that if they compare your art with imported windows, they will not hesitate to commission you to do their work.

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Rev. Max Muller, St. Nicholas Church, North Java, N. Y.

It affords me great pleasure to inform you of our entire satisfaction with the windows.  The light effects and coloring are beautiful.  The groups are radiant gems, and reveal a complete mastery of the art.  Every prospective buyer of art windows should communicate with you before placing orders for imports.

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Sister M. Cherubin, St. Mary's Hospital, Niagara Falls, N. Y.

The beautifully executed windows you placed in our Chapel are admired and praised by all who visit here.  We congratulate ourselves on having had the good fortune to make arrangements with your esteemed company.  The portrait of the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Connery is most excellent.

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M. Semour Purdy, Minister, American Reformed Dutch Church, Newburgh, N. Y.

Permit me to tell you of our entire satisfaction in the window.  It is a masterly piece of work, from every viewpoint, to all who see it, and the expression of pleasure and approval is unanimous.

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Rev. L. Bastian, Church of the Good Shepherd, Pendleton, N. Y.

I am very pleased with the windows made for our church. Everybody that sees them admires them, and I am sure that they could not have been made better in Europe.

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Rev. James A. Hogan, St. Rose of Lima, Forestville, N. Y.

I am pleased to tell you that our windows are very satisfactory in every way;  everyone is well pleased with them.  I thank you for the good work.

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Rev. Wm. E. O'Hern, St. Mary's Church, Genesee, Pa.

I want to say to you that my windows are grand, and entirely satisfactory.  I wish to compliment you on being so efficient in your art.

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