Gary, Our Lady Of Victory Chapel

Our Lady of Victory came into being through the efforts of Rev. Emil Olivier, a French priest who traveled the mountain trails of southern West Virginia to the bring the sacraments to Catholic families. In 1902 he began to visit the Gary area. After offering Mass in the home of Hugh Dillon, he arranged with the U.S. Coal and Coke Company to donate property and assist with building a church. Services were held in a company building until the church was completed in 1904. Rev. Patrick Gilsenan was appointed its first pastor. Just three years later, the church was destroyed in a fire. The community began all over again. A second church was built and dedicated in 1909 and continues to be used today.