Property Record
804 PEARL ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | John Murphy House |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | St. Charles Welcome Center |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 3267 |
| Location (Address): | 804 PEARL ST |
|---|---|
| County: | Chippewa |
| City: | Chippewa Falls |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1888 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 0 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | Paired brackets under the eaves; two story projecting front gabled bay with cornice returns and three sided south and north bays; triangular pediment shaped window surrounds; partially enclosed flat roofed entrance porch with capped carved posts, spindles and side lighted entrance door with one light; rear two story addition. Built in 1888 for John Murphy, (A) a prominent pine land and real estate dealer, the rather eclectic bracketed house exhibits the vertical tendency of the High Victorian mode of the Italianate style in which the cornice is pushed up into a pedimental form and thee is an infusion of Neoclassical influence. The low hip roof with a balustrade rather than iron cresting and the rectangular shape of the main structure broken by a central gabled bay projecting from the facade with a pedimented end are features also commonly associated with the classical revival styles. The John Murphy House converted for use as part of the St. Charles Church complex in 1897 is architecturally significant as the most elaborate wooden interpretation of the Italianate style. AROUND 1913, ST. CHARLES CHURCH PURCHASED THE HOUSE AND USED IT AS A RECTORY. THE ORIGINAL ORNATE INTERIOR WAS "SIMPLIFIED" MAT THIS TIME. BETWEEN 1951-1966 THE INTERIOR WAS SUB-DIVIDED INTO MANY SMALL ROOMS WHEN IT BECAME A CONVENT IN THE 1970S. EACH NUN HAD THEIR OWN ROOM. Originally constructed in 1888 as a resident for Chippewa Falls businessman John Murphy, this house was purchased by St. Charles pastor Father J.B. Metyles and dontated to the parish for use as a rectory in 1897. In 1954, the house was renovated and enlarged to serve As a convent for the parish sisters. It is presently used as religious education center.(c) #650: St. Charles Church (39-19) St. Charles Rectory (39-20) St. Charles School (39-21). When the John Murphy House was demolished much of the building was salvaged. Many of the pieces of this building are at City Salvage in Minneapolis Minnesota. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | CHIPPEWA FALLS HERALD-TELEGRAM 8/27/1990. CHIPPEWA FALLS HERALD TELEGRAM 9/27/1995. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |