Property Record
130 W CENTRAL ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Presbyterian Church |
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| Other Name: | FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH |
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| Reference Number: | 3195 |
| Location (Address): | 130 W CENTRAL ST |
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| County: | Chippewa |
| City: | Chippewa Falls |
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| Year Built: | 1884 |
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| Additions: | 1941 |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | William H. Wilcox |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Square bell and entrance tower with hip roof with steeple and round tower with conical roof and steeple flank the facade; gable roof bay with rose window projects from facade; stone tracery in rose window and large pointed arched west window, pointed arched windows and doors; band paneling along eaves of west tower in a design used in the overlight above the door, etc.. Based on the principle set forth by the Englishman John Ruskin, red brick surfaces banded with white stone trim around the structural parts such as the doors, windows and a belt course separating the stories of the tower originally created a polychromatic appearance in the now pointed Presbyterian Church. Constructed in 1883 to replace the original church of 1856, (C)(D) the Presbyterian church employs Gothic styled devices including medieval ornament along the roof line and above the door, pointed arch stained glass windows with stone mouldings, pointed arch portals and a picturesque large tower with overhanging conical roof flanking the facade. Architecturally significant as the only extent representative of the 19th century Victorian Gothic church architecture in Chippewa Falls, the Presbyterian Church, although somewhat altered by the modern addition on the east side, has maintained the picturesque irregularity fundamental to the character of the Victorian Gothic style. Organized in 1855, the Presbyterian Church in Chippewa Falls housed the first Protestant congregation in the city and it acted as a "mother church" for other Protestant congregations in the region. (A)(B) The "Ald School" Presbyterians first meeting place was in a log cabin along the east bank of Duncan Creek. In 1856, H. S. Allen donated land and his company, H. C. Allen & Company, donated lumber for the construction of a new church. Upon its completion in 1858, it served not only the Presbyterians, but also the Methodists and Episcopalians. In 1883, the original building was moved to Island Street and present church was constructed on the original site. A Sture-Turiner Tracker organ was installed in 1889. Major remodeling of the Sunday School rooms, social rooms and heating plant was completed in 1929. In 1941, several features of the church were altered, including a new pulpit, lecturn sanctuary doors and pews. Chandeliers from the old Lumberman's bank were installed. The lounge and library were remodeled in 1979. (A) (B). Although the present Presbyterian Church replaced the original building, it continues to represent the 19th century period in which the Presbyterian Church served as a "mother church" for Protestant congregations in the region. In this regard, the present church is of significant, local historical interest. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Records, First Presbyterian Church, microfilm (Eau Claire: Area Research Center). (B) Early Presbyterianism in Wisconsin, Centennial Edition (the Synod of Wisconsin of the Presbyterian Church, 1951), p. 73. (C) Chippewa County Wisconsin Past and Present, vol. I (Chicago, 1913), pp. 191-192. (D) Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa Valley Wisconsin (Chicago, 1891-1892), pp. 92-93. Take a Walk on Main Street: Historic Walking Tours in Wisconsin's Main Street Communities, Wisconsin Main Street Program, 1998. Chippewa Herald, December 5, 1884. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |