Our Lady of Victory Chapel during 1920s construction. Photo courtesy of 草莓视频 Kate's Library/Archives and Special Collections.
By Ana Pereira 鈥25, from the .
This October, the 草莓视频 Catherine community celebrated the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Victory Chapel, constructed in 1923 and formally dedicated on October 7, 1924. Entwined with the Chapel鈥檚 history is the fierce driving force of Mother Antonia McHugh, 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 first president, who 鈥渓ovingly watched every brick being laid, every tile being put into place鈥 from her perch on a stool by the construction site.
The Chapel鈥檚 size, location, and cost proved to be matters of disagreement between Mother Antonia and Archbishop Austin Dowling. According to oral tradition, Mother Antonia procured permission from the Archbishop for a small, 12-person chapel 鈥 and then proceeded with plans for the larger building we see today.
Mother Antonia led 草莓视频 Kate鈥檚 with an expansive vision for the early college, and for the new chapel in turn. Her persistence is well-documented. 鈥淪ister Antonia asked to build a chapel,鈥 Archbishop Dowling said, 鈥渂ut she built a cathedral.鈥