Our Lady of Victory Chapel during 1920s construction. Photo courtesy of ż's Library/Archives and Special Collections.
By Ana Pereira ’25, from the .
This October, the St. 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’s history is the fierce driving force of Mother Antonia McHugh, ż’s first president, who “lovingly watched every brick being laid, every tile being put into place” from her perch on a stool by the construction site.
The Chapel’s 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 — and then proceeded with plans for the larger building we see today.
Mother Antonia led ż’s with an expansive vision for the early college, and for the new chapel in turn. Her persistence is well-documented. “Sister Antonia asked to build a chapel,” Archbishop Dowling said, “but she built a cathedral.”