| 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, State Historic Preservation Office.
Builder was John Bentley and Son. Mason was August Talbert. Flat ceiling has a fresco by Swiss artist L. Rusca. East and west walls feature eight murals painted by Italian artist Joseph Vitur. Parish was organized in 1882 by Rt. Rev. Hyacinth Gulski as an offshoot of St. Stanislaus parish. St. Hyacinth was the parent church of St. Adalbert, St. Vincent de Paul, and Sts. Cyril and Methodius. St. Hyacinth was a 13th century missionary. Interior was remodeled in 1884, 1889, 1924, and 1942.
Church - 1414 W. Becher built in 1882. Neg. # 21-24.
Rectory - 1414 W. Becher built in 1886, and added to in 1914. Neg. # 25-27.
School built in 1884 by H. Messmer, architect. Neg. # 28, 31.
Hall - 2064 S. 14th built in 1891, B. Kolpacki, architect, John Czaplewski and Herman Krause were the carpenters. Neg. # 29, 30.
Convent - 2057 S. 14th built in 1883, 1886 alteration. Neg. # 32.
Power Plant was built in 1919. No picture.
St. Hyacinth's is not only excellent for the architecture it represents (i.e. Italianate), but as a collective unit, it is one of the finest church complexes as found in the city.
The church itself reflects the many classical elements as used in the Italianate with the balance of the structures taking on variations of the Gothic and Classical Revivals.
1883: Congregation is incorporated; parent church was St. Stanislaus and parent church of St. Adalbert, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Cyril and Methodius.
Congregation is: 60% Polish, 40% Latin.
"Taking as its patron the 13th century Polish missionary saint, St. Hyacinth parish was legally incorporated in 1883. Work on the church at South 15th and West Becher had begun the previous year, with construction of the school at 14th and Becher and of the convent for the School Sisters of Notre Dame at 2057 South 14th following in 1883-86. Architect Messmer planned both church and school. By 1886 the rectory, 1414 West Becher, had been built, and in 1891 the parish hall, designed by Kolpacki, rose on the east side of 14th Street opposite the convent. The power plant was added in 1919, bringing major construction to completion. Exception extensive alteration of the convent in 1950-51, 20th century modifications of the parish complex have been minor and, by and large, have left its original character intact. Its six building form a most harmonious ensemble, given variety by the designers' use of Gothic and Renaissance forms and details and unity by their consistent handling of scale, proportions, and building materials." Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia A. Palmer, University Extension University of Wisconsin, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Walker's Point and South, 1969. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Borun, p. 11.
Pagel, p. 21.
Milwaukee Houses of Worship Survey, 1975.
Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia A. Palmer, University Extension University of Wisconsin, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Walker's Point and South, 1969. |
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