Property Record
102 N 5TH AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church |
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| Other Name: | St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 49801 |
| Location (Address): | 102 N 5TH AVE |
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| County: | Door |
| City: | Sturgeon Bay |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1909 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1982 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Louisiana Street/Seventh Avenue Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 9/22/1983 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and Rectory) exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. One of several churches in the City built of local limestone. St. Joseph's is the third oldest but is the most imposing nad ornately detailed. Its twin towers, which flank the west facade and are capped by copper trimmed octagonal spires, are visible from downtown and-particularly-from that portion of the City West of the bay. Done in the simple Romanesque Revival style, the side windows and belfry openings are in the form of venetian arches, the arch motif is carried through in the primary entry which is capped with a large semi-circular arch and flanked by smaller versions of the same. The entry cornice is classical in tone with a central pediment directly above which is a large wheel window glazed with colored, leaded glass. The stonework of the main mass of the building is alternating rows of wide and narrow rockfaced, local grey limestone. The stonework for the towers above the eave line is regularly coursed, rockfaced ashlar. Smooth limestone is used for the semicircular arches, foundation and deep moulds and for other trim. This is the largest of the earlyb 20th century churches remaining in active use in Sturgeon bay and is in close to original condition on the exterior. It is a simply but handsomely designed example of a common architectural style of the period that is relatively unaltered and highly visible throughout the community. St. Joseph's parish was organized in 1865. The first church was completed in 1866, a frame building which occupied the same site as the present building. A 40'x80' brick structure replaced the frame church by 1891. It was enlarged in 1900 and a parsonage was added in 1904. In 1909 a 65'x159' stone church was started. It was completed in 1910. Refer to 120 N. Fifth avenue-St. Joseph's Convent and 526 Louisiana Street - St. Joseph's Rectory. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Holand, Door County History, Vol. 1,p.194. B. Broens, Sturgeon Bay. General Information - St. Joseph. C. Western Historical Co., History of Northern Wisconsin, p.256. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |