Francis Cardinal Spellman founded the Church of Our Lady of Victory at Pine and William Streets in the Financial District of Manhattan in 1944. It is known as the War Memorial Church, and at the front door is a quotation from Cardinal Spellman:

"This Holy Shine is dedicated to Our Lady of Victory in Thanksgiving for Victory won by our Valiant dead, our soldier’s blood, our Country’s tears, shed to defend men’s rights and win back men’s hearts to God"

The Church occupied temporary quarters at 23 William Street, until the present Church was constructed -- on property that was donated by Major Edward Bowes -- and dedicated on June 23, 1947. In August 1997, the Church celebrated 50 years of service and commitment to the passionate words of St. Paul, “to nurture a strong, steadfast, and generous faith in the men and women who worship here, a faith which is unafraid to reach out to those in need, limitless in compassion, hardy in service and full of joy."

Our Lady of Victory has a special devotion to our Blessed Mother, with public recitation of the rosary held twice daily. Every hour, on the hour, Church bells ring throughout the heart of the Financial District, a reminder of God's love and call to grace. In addition, a special shrine is dedicated to saints of New York for everyone to come and ask for their prayers and intercessions. Our Lady of Victory is committed to making a difference and to helping us all become missionaries in our daily lives -- missionaries in the office and at home in this bruised but beautiful city, this city that is so full of potential.