Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica

What Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica does

Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica is a Roman Catholic parish and National Shrine located at 767 Ridge Road in Lackawanna, New York, south of Buffalo. It was completed in 1925, solemnly consecrated on May 25, 1926, and designated a Minor Basilica by Pope Pius XI in July 1926, making it the second Basilica in the United States. The Basilica serves approximately 1,800 registered households and welcomes an estimated 280,000+ visitors, pilgrims, and worshippers annually, with an additional 1.3 million visitors passing through during the five-year Centennial Celebration period. The Shrine contains the tomb of Venerable Nelson Baker and is renowned for its architectural and artistic heritage, including 46 marble types, an 80-foot painted dome, an estimated 2,000-2,500 angel depictions, and 14 Italian marble Stations of the Cross. It sits within a broader OLV campus that includes OLV Elementary School (Pre-K through Grade 8, operating nearly 130 years), OLV Charities, and OLV Human Services.

The Basilica's core offerings include daily and Sunday Mass services (with livestreaming for remote participation), guided tours of the Basilica interior, Grotto Shrine, and Father Baker Museum, a self-guided 3D virtual tour at olvbasilica.org/3d-experience, faith formation programs (Grades 1-9 and High School Confirmation), Vacation Bible School ($30 per child), the Pennies to Heaven festival, and a Summer Book Club. The Father Baker Museum and Gift Shop in the lower level provide cultural interpretation and retail sales of rosaries, medals, books, baptism/wedding/communion gifts, and exclusive Father Baker memorabilia. Tours and admission are free of charge, with donations accepted for restoration and maintenance.

The Basilica's business model is a non-profit religious institution model under the Diocese of Buffalo, with revenue derived from voluntary donations and tithes (the primary income stream), gift shop retail sales, special event fees (such as Vacation Bible School), and tour donations. Distribution channels include on-site worship, group and public guided tours, livestreamed Masses, and a physical gift shop. Marketing is community-led, relying on a weekly bulletin, organic social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram), the olvbasilica.org website, and parish referrals rather than paid acquisition. The institution is led by Pastor & Rector Rev. Msgr. David G. LiPuma, supported by a Parochial Vicar, two Deacons, administrative staff, a Faith Formation Director, an Elementary School Principal, and a Gift Shop Manager.

Name

Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica

Legal name

Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica

Website

https://olvbasilica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica is a Roman Catholic parish and National Shrine in Lackawanna, New York, serving 1,800 registered households and 280,000+ annual visitors with daily Mass, sacraments, guided tours, faith formation, and a Father Baker Museum and gift shop, operating as a non-profit under the Diocese of Buffalo.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212), Historical Sites (712120), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (8131)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Landmarks & Pilgrimage Sites (Temples, Churches, Shrines) (THAJACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL), Religious & Sacred Sites Tours (THAJAAAF)

Keywords

• Catholic parish services
• Religious pilgrimage tours
• Liturgical worship services
• Faith formation programs
• Religious gift shop

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Tithes: Voluntary contributions from registered parishioners and visitors supporting the Basilica's operations, restoration, and charitable mission.
2. Gift Shop Sales: Retail sales of religious items including rosaries, medals, books, Baptism/Wedding/First Communion/Confirmation gifts, and exclusive Father Baker memorabilia.
3. Special Event Fees: Program fees for events such as Vacation Bible School ($30 per child), concerts, and chicken BBQ events. Some events are free with donations accepted.
4. Tour Donations: While tours are free, donations are gratefully accepted and directed toward ongoing restoration and maintenance of the Shrine.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica operates as a Roman Catholic parish and National Shrine in Lackawanna, NY, providing daily and Sunday Mass, sacraments, guided and virtual 3D tours of the historic Basilica, the Father Baker Museum and on-site Gift Shop, and faith formation programs for children and youth. The Shrine also serves as a pilgrimage destination housing the tomb of Venerable Nelson Baker, supported entirely by donations, gift shop sales, and program fees with no admission charge.

Product overview

OLV National Shrine & Basilica operates as a Roman Catholic parish and National Shrine offering a portfolio of spiritual, educational, and visitor services. Core offerings include daily and Sunday Mass celebrations with livestreaming, guided and virtual 3D tours of the Basilica, access to the Father Baker Museum and Gift Shop, and comprehensive faith formation programs including Sunday classes, First Reconciliation preparation, and Confirmation instruction. The organization also hosts seasonal programs such as Vacation Bible School, the Summer Book Club, and the annual Pennies to Heaven festival. All services are designed to serve both registered parishioners and visiting pilgrims from around the world.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mass Services & Livestreaming Daily and Sunday Catholic Mass celebrations held at the Basilica, with livestreaming for remote worshippers, the homebound, and those unable to travel. Liturgical offerings include Weekday Mass (7:30 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Mon-Sat), Saturday Vigil (4:30 p.m.), and four Sunday Masses (8 a.m., 10 a.m., Noon, 4:30 p.m.).
• Guided Tours & Pilgrimages Free guided group and public tours of the Basilica's interior, including the Main Altar, stained-glass windows, chapels, Grotto Shrine, baptistry, and Father Baker Museum. Group tours available Mon-Thu and Sat 1-5 p.m.; public Sunday tours at 1 p.m.; private tours by appointment. Donations accepted toward restoration.
• Virtual 3D Basilica Tour Self-guided online virtual tour allowing remote visitors to explore the Basilica's interior — including the soaring nave, painted dome, chapels, altars, and Grotto Shrine — using mouse or touchpad navigation. Available at olvbasilica.org/3d-experience.
• Father Baker Museum & Gift Shop Museum showcasing the life and legacy of Venerable Nelson Baker through artifacts, personal stories, and interactive displays, paired with an on-site gift shop selling rosaries, medals, books, Baptism/Wedding/First Communion/Confirmation gifts, and exclusive Father Baker memorabilia. Located in the Basilica's lower level, open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Faith Formation & Religious Education Catholic religious education programs including Sunday morning classes for Grades 1-9, First Reconciliation preparation, Family Faith Home Study Program, and High School Confirmation classes. Designed for parishioner children and youth preparing for sacraments.
• Vacation Bible School Annual summer program for children aged 4-11 featuring faith-based activities, crafts, snacks, and Saints-themed lessons. Priced at $30 per child with scholarship and multi-child discounts available; no child is turned away due to financial need.
• OLV Summer Book Club Summer reading program featuring books about Saints and religious figures, with discussion sessions held in the Marian Room. Coordinated by Deacon Mark Bialkowski.
• Pennies to Heaven Festival Annual community celebration featuring live entertainment, family activities, raffles, food, the beloved Penny Drop tradition, and various sponsorship opportunities. Held as part of Father Baker Weekend alongside Father Baker Day Mass and Chicken BBQ.

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Shrine of the Divine Mercy (Stockbridge, MA): Catholic national shrine operated by the Marian Fathers, hosting retreats, tours, and pilgrimage programs. Comparable to OLV as a designated pilgrimage destination with a museum, gift shop, and devotional focus tied to a holy figure.
• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: The largest Roman Catholic church in North America and a designated Minor Basilica / National Shrine in Washington, D.C. It is the closest US peer to OLV as a major Catholic pilgrimage basilica with daily Masses, tours, gift shop, and national visitor traffic.
• St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York): Iconic Catholic basilica in NYC attracting millions of visitors annually. Comparable to OLV as a designated basilica and major heritage/religious tourism destination with tours, a gift shop, livestream services, and parish operations.
• Ave Maria Grotto (Cullman, AL): Catholic miniature replica park and grotto built by a Benedictine monk, hosting visitors year-round. Comparable to OLV as a religious heritage tourist attraction centered on a grotto and religious art/architecture, with admission/donation revenue.
• Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (La Crosse, WI): Catholic Marian shrine in the Midwest offering pilgrimages, retreats, and devotional programs. Comparable to OLV as a Catholic pilgrimage destination with tours, gift shop, and visitor-centered programming anchored by a sacred figure's relics/replicas.
• Cathedral of St. John the Divine: One of the world's largest cathedrals in New York City, offering tours, worship, and cultural programming. Comparable to OLV as a heritage religious landmark with guided tours, museum-style exhibits, and visitor-focused programming.
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa (Doylestown, PA): US Catholic shrine featuring a replica of the Black Madonna icon, offering retreats and pilgrimages. Comparable to OLV as a religious heritage attraction operating tours, devotional programming, and pilgrimage-focused events in the Northeast.
• Holy Land Experience (Orlando, FL): Biblical-themed attraction featuring re-creations of holy sites, performances, and religious exhibits. Comparable to OLV as a Christian heritage/pilgrimage-themed visitor destination in the US with tours, gift shop, and event programming.
• The Grotto (Portland, OR): Catholic shrine and botanical garden in Portland featuring a cliffside grotto, chapel, and retreat facilities. Comparable to OLV as a Catholic pilgrimage site with a Grotto component (matching OLV's Grotto Shrine), visitor tours, and event programming.
• National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini: Catholic shrine in Washington Heights, NYC, preserving the home and tomb of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Comparable to OLV as a saint-focused pilgrimage site with a museum, guided tours, and donation-funded operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@olvcharities8875
• Facebookfacebook.com/OLVBasilica
• Instagraminstagram.com/olvbasilica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica