27 Facts About Nelson Baker

Nelson Henry Baker was an American Catholic monsignor in Lackawanna, New York, whom the Vatican has declared as venerable.

Nelson Baker expanded and upgraded an existing orphanage and reform school.

Nelson Baker created a home for abandoned infants and unwed mothers, a maternity hospital and two schools, among other facilities.

Nelson Baker was declared venerable in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI.

Nelson Baker was born in Buffalo, New York, on February 16,1842, to Lewis Becker and Caroline Donnellan.

Lewis Nelson Baker was said to have instilled an astute business sense in his son.

In early July 1864, during the American Civil War, Nelson Baker enter the 74th regiment of the New York State Militia at age 21 for a 30-day enlistment.

Nelson Baker began to exhibit a strong interest in Catholicism and joined the Vincent DePaul Society.

Nelson Baker began taking Latin classes at St Michael's residence in Buffalo at night.

Caroline Nelson Baker was delighted with the news, but Lewis Nelson Baker and Meyer had reservations about his decision.

Nelson Baker entered Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Lewiston, New York, on September 2,1869.

Several biographers of Nelson Baker note that this visit to the basilica initiated Nelson Baker's lifelong devotion to Our Lady of Victory, a title of Mary, mother of Jesus.

Nelson Baker returned to Our Lady of the Angels in Lewiston the next day, to celebrate his first mass.

When Nelson Baker arrived at St Patrick's, the orphanage and protectory were already $21,000 in debt.

Frustrated by Hines' unwillingness to deal with the financial problems, Nelson Baker requested a transfer from the diocese to another parish.

Several days after returning to St Patrick in 1882, a group of creditors met with Nelson Baker, demanding immediate payment of the orphanage and protectory debts.

Nelson Baker persuaded them to accept a partial payment upfront followed by a repayment plan.

Nelson Baker used all of his personal fortune for the partial payment.

On taking control of the protectory, Nelson Baker removed all the bars from the windows and remodeled the building to establish a more homelike atmosphere.

Nelson Baker's philosophy was that there was no such thing as a bad boy.

Nelson Baker then sent solicitations to these women, asking for donations for the orphanage and protectory.

In 1888, Nelson Baker started a journal, The Annals of the Association of Our Lady of Victory, that he sent to Association members to solicit donations.

In 1891, Nelson Baker hired a drilling company to explore for natural gas on OLV property, with hopes of offsetting heating costs for its institutions.

Nelson Baker kept a crib and a blanket outside the Infant Home for any mother who wanted to leave a child there during the night.

In 1919, Nelson Baker opened Our Lady of Victory Maternity Hospital in Lackawanna.

Nelson Baker provided spiritual counseling for many non-Catholics visiting the OLV institutions in what became known as the Black Apostolate.

Nelson Baker lapsed into a coma and died on July 29,1936, in Lackawanna at age 94.