FEATURED GALLERIES

This photo was a rare and wonderful find, acquired during our recent visit to the Passionist Archives in Union City, NJ. The photo, a "tin-type", most likely depicts Viktor's father, Nikolaus Koch (standing right), his mother Viktoria Koch (seated, far left), with elder sisters Viktoria (seated, center) and Anna (standing, left). Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9

Nikolaus Koch, the eldest son of German immigrants Nikolaus and Viktoria Elser Koch, entered the Passionist Preparatory School at Dunkirk, New York, at the tender age of 16. Six years later Nikolaus, who receives the name 'Father Viktor,' would take his vows and join the Passionist Order. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9

Father Viktor, circa 1880's, as a young, professed member of the Congregation. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9

Father Viktor Koch, C.P., early 1900's. His work during this time took him to Cincinnati and West Hoboken, where he held missions and labored as a curate. In 1905 (possibly until 1910), he worked as a pastor in Kansas. From there, he moved to Baltimore, where he eventually became pastor. Source: Koch family photos

Father Viktor Koch, C.P, also early 1900's. Source: Koch family photos

Father Viktor, circa 1900. This may have been taken during his tenure in West Hoboken, or possibly Cincinnati.

Before becoming Passionist Provincial and founder of the German Foundation, Father Viktor spent several years at St. Joseph's Parish in Baltimore. He served as a pastor between 1916-1920. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9

Standing: Fathers Viktor Koch (right) Valentine Lenherd (left), co-founders of the Passionist Order's German Foundation. Father General Silvio of St. Bernard is seated (center). Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9

This photo was taken in 1927, five years after Frs. Viktor and Valentine arrived in Germany and began establishing the new Foundation. Standing: Leopold Snyder on the left; Valentine Lenherd on the right. Seated: Fr. Stanislaus Grennan, Provincial, on the left; Fr. Viktor Koch, leader of the Passionist Foundation, on the right. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9.

This photo was taken in 1927, five years after Frs. Viktor and Valentine arrived in Germany and began establishing the new Foundation. Standing (left to right): (unknown Brother), Fr. Christopher Berlo, Matthew K. Leonard, Fr. Adolf Schmidt, (unknown); Sitting: (unknown), Fr. Valentine Lenherd, co-founder of the German Foundation; Fr. Viktor Koch, co-founder of German Foundation; Fr. Bonaventure Obserzt, and Fr. Leopold Snyder. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9.

While governing affairs at the Novitiate in Maria Schutz, Austria, Father Viktor met a young novitiate priest named Fr. Christopher Berlo. Father "Chris," an accomplished architect, later traveled with him to Schwarzenfeld, where he designed and constructed the new monastery. A fellow American priest, he was driven out of Germany once the Nazi powers seized control over the country. He proved to be a valuable ally to the fledgling German foundation during this time, as his daring efforts to outmaneuver the Nazis enabled Father Viktor to build the Miesbergkloster. Father Chris is pictured here, standing right of Father Viktor. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9

Father Viktor's work in the Passionist Priesthood strongly influenced other members of the Koch family. His oldest sister, Annie Koch Bauer, raised 13 children, six of whom followed Viktor into the religious order. Father Basil Bauer is pictured with him. Father Basil spent two years behind the iron curtain in Communist China, and has his own incredible story to tell. Source: Koch family photos

Father Viktor Koch (left) and Brother Valentine Rausch C.P. (right) Brother Valentine served as a tailor and as an infirmarian in most of the Passionist monasteries in Eastern U.S.,was asked to go to Europe in 1926 by Father Viktor to train the Brothers at the Passionist Novitiate in Vienna. He remained in the German Province working with Father Koch for 16 years. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9

When Joe Koch (Fr. Viktor's nephew) visited Schwarzenfeld in June 1945, he took several snapshots of Father Viktor and the monastery. This is one we found during the Union City trip. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9.

Portrait of Father Viktor. Source: 50 Jahre Passionisten in Deutschland und Osterreich

Viktor in Schwarzenfeld, celebrating his 50th year as a Passionist. Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9.

Father Viktor with his brother, Albert Koch. Source: Werner family photos.

Father Viktor's golden Jubilee, which took place in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Father Viktor is in the center. Standing to his right is Father Basil Bauer, and Father Roland Flaherty (far right). Source: Werner family photos.

This photograph was likely taken in Germany. In the back row (6 people, from left to right) are Brother Bernhard Rathoff, Josef Spangler, (unknown), Father Lenard Valentin, Father Paul Boehminghaus, and Father Josef Schreiner. In the first row (3 people, from left to right) are (unknown), Father Viktor Koch, and Brother Valentin Rausch. Source: Werner family photos. Identification of priests by Markus Glaser

Portrait of Father Viktor. Source: 50 Jahre Passionisten in Deutschland und Osterreich

When Nazi officials seized the Miesbergkloster, Frs. Viktor and Paul Boeminghaus spent four years (1941-1945) living in the church flower sacristy, shown here. For more information about the room, see our Germany 2005 research trip photos. Source: Passionist German Foundation Archives, courtesy Fr. Gregor Lenzen, C.P.

When Nazi officials seized the Miesbergkloster, Frs. Viktor and Paul Boeminghaus spent four years (1941-1945) living in the church flower sacristy, shown here. Source: Passionist German Foundation Archives, courtesy Fr. Gregor Lenzen, C.P.

Portrait of Father Viktor with a Passionist Brother and an unknown American soldier. Do you recognize the soldier or the priest on the right? If so, Please contact us. Source: Koch family photos

Portrait of Father Viktor, posing at the base of the stairs where he was honored by the town of Schwarzenfeld. Source: Koch family photos

This picture depicts the honor citizen ceremony. (Note: previously on this web site we showed pictures scanned from a newspaper; during our research trip to Germany in 2005, we found the real photograph. Source: Passionist German Foundation Archives, courtesy Fr. Gregor Lenzen, C.P.

Picture of Father Viktor (center) and the Passionist Brothers who served with him in the Miesburg monastery. Starting on the left and circling around Fr. Viktor are Fr. Edward Hennessy, Fr. Basil Stockmeyer, Fr. Ambrose Maquire, Fr. Roland Flaherty and Fr. John Patrick Moore.

Father Viktor emerges from the Miesberg Monastery entrance. Schwarzenfeld, Germany, Sept.15, 1953 Source: Passionist Archives, Union City: ACC# Europe, Folder 9.

Father Viktor's gravesite. Source: Pater Nikolaus Seitz C.P. Pafrre Semmering

Father Viktor's tombstone. Source: Pater Nikolaus Seitz C.P. Pafrre Semmering