Property Record
13207 COUNTY HIGHWAY G
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH & CEMETERY |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH & CEMETERY |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 10606 |
| Location (Address): | 13207 COUNTY HIGHWAY G |
|---|---|
| County: | Racine |
| City: | |
| Township/Village: | Caledonia |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | 4 |
| Range: | 22 |
| Direction: | E |
| Section: | 18 |
| Quarter Section: | SW |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: | NE |
| Year Built: | 1901 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2006 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | Brick |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | Peter Brust |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' 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. Previously surveyed in 1996. ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS AND ENTRY. CORBELLED CORNICE. ROSE WINDOW ABOVE ENTRY. SQUARE TOWER ON CNR WITH SPLAYED OPENINGS. CEMETERY ON GROUNDS. DESIGNED BY PETER BRUST. September 2006-Built in 1901 and situated on the south side of CTH G, this cream brick Romanesque Revival Catholic church rests on a quarried stone foundation topped with a limestone watertable. The front (north) elevation features a square tower at its northeast corner. Each side of the tower is comprised of large, round arch splayed openings fitted with wooden venting and modest tracery and a slightly corbelled hood. Underneath the north opening is a limestone inset inscribed with "St. Louis Church." An ornate corbel table encircles the tower, which is capped by a small polygonal steeple topped with a cross. Returning to the main facade, it carries at its center a slightly projecting gabled entry with a denticulated cornice and a stone cornice at the peak. Inside the gable is a compound arch that frames the doorway and tympanum above. A large, splayed rose window rests above the gabled entry. The roofline is comprised of a prominent corbel table. The side elevations consist of four bays formed by piers and featuring corbelled caps. Tall, round arch openings filled with stained glass windows are fitted within each bay. Located adjacent to the church is a 1959 Ranch-style rectory, a modernized school facility and a garage. A cemetery is situated across from the church on the north side of CTH G. The St. Louis Catholic Church congregation was founded in 1857 and originally occupied a log cabin church before building a frame structure. In 1859, the parish moved to its current location and built a second frame church. The church expanded its role beyond providing religious services by starting a school and convent during the 1900s. By 1900, the congregation numbered 125 families and it had outgrown its facility. Noted Milwaukee architect Peter Brust was contracted to design the large, brick structure and it was built at a cost of $10,000. In 1959, the parish built a new rectory and added on to its school building, which was remodeled in the 1990s. The school closed in 2005. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | Church History. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |