Property Record
614 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | St. Luke's Episcopal Church Complex - Church |
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| Other Name: | St. Luke's Episcopal Church |
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| Reference Number: | 11073 |
| Location (Address): | 614 MAIN ST |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
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| Year Built: | 1866 |
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| Additions: | 1899 1906 1915 |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | EDWARD TOWNSEND MIX |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Chapel, Guildhall, and Rectory |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 7/27/1979 |
| 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 public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. LANCET WINDOWS. POINTED ARCHED DOORS. BUTTRESSES AND CORBELLING. Builder was Lucas Bradley. Mix apprenticed with Richard Upjohn in Boston. Other buildings in this church complex include the Chapel (1898), Rectory (c. 1905), and Parish House (1915). DESIGNED BY MILWAUKEE ARCHITECT, EDWARD TOWNSEND MIX. BEHIND THE CHURCH, ALONG SEVENTH STREET IS THE CHAPEL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY A FIRE STATION THAT HAD BEEN BUILT IN 1849. THE PRESENT FACADE DATES FROM 1930. Resurveyed November 2009; appearance unchanged. First service held in 1867. "St. Luke's Episcopal Church was built in 1867, replacing the original church on Haymarket Square which had burned the year before. The architect was Edward Townsend Mix, a well-known Milwaukee designer. Racine brick was probably used to construct the Gothic style structure. The pinnacles of the church's square steeple are topped with aluminum crosses recently made by Racine's Modine Company. Bells and a clock were installed in 1887 to recreate the sounds of English church bells, missed by some homesick settlers. When the church was built, a fire engine house stood at the rear. It was purchased and donated by Dr. Meachem, Sr., a prominent physician, for use as a chapel. Guild Hall, built in 1915, is attached to the chapel. It was a gift from William Horlick, Sr. The old rectory, now a parish center, was built between 1905-1910; its Gothic connecting arches add a cloister effect. Prominent in the nave of the church are ornate black walnut rib ceiling supports, reredos with figures of Christ, ST. Luke, and St. John, and the original black walnut pews. Nine painted windows were replaced with stained glass in 1966." Renewing Our Roots: A Guide To Racine, Wisconsin, Central City, Southside, Preservation-Racine, 1977. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Centennial 1842-1942 St. Luke's Episcopal Church commemorative issue. Tour of Historic Places guide book, 2002. Racine Landmarks Map Guide, 2003. HISTORIC 6TH STREET BUSINESS DISTRICT WALKING TOUR GUIDE, 1990. Preservation Racine News, Fall 2018, Volume 13. "Architecture/History Survey of 7th Street from 9th Street to Main Street in the city of Racine, WI. October, 2009. WHS Project #10-0922, Prepared by Gail Klein." Renewing Our Roots: A Guide To Racine, Wisconsin, Central City, Southside, Preservation-Racine, 1977. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |