Property Record
1609 UNIVERSITY AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | First Congregational Church |
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| Other Name: | First Congregational Church |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 106698 |
| Location (Address): | 1609 UNIVERSITY AVE |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1928 |
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| Additions: | 1967 |
| Survey Date: | 1998 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Colonial Revival/Georgian Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Kilham, Hopkins and Greeley |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | University Heights Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 12/17/1982 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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-Public History. The building’s focal point is a three-stage steeple embellished with classical columns and garlands, terminating in a domed lantern. A colossal pedimented Corinthian portico embellishes the facade. The Boston firm of Kilham, Hopkins, and Greeley, working in association with Madison architects Law, Law, and Potter, designed the church, which was completed in 1930. The interior was altered in 1967. "This imposing Georgian Revival style building was dedicated in January, 1930. It was designed by Kilham, Hopkins and Greeley of Boston, specialists in church, town hall and school architecture. Supervision of the design and construction was by Law, Law, and Potter of Madison. A visual landmark of [University] Heights, the First Congregational Church was only the the fourth church to be constructed on the west side. During the University of Wisconsin enrollment bulge following World War II, the 1,300 seat sanctuary was used as a lecture hall for the sociology and political science departments." Madison Landmarks Commission, University Heights: A Walk Through A Turn of the Century Suburb, n.d. |
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| Bibliographic References: | City directories. Tax records. Building permit. Madison Landmarks Commission, University Heights: A Walk Through A Turn of the Century Suburb, n.d. Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript. Madison Landmarks Commission and the Regent Neighborhood Association, The University Heights Historic District: A Walking Tour, 1987. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |