Property Record
831 N VAN BUREN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | St. John Cathedral High School |
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| Reference Number: | 113479 |
| Location (Address): | 831 N VAN BUREN ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1907 |
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| Additions: | 1955 |
| Survey Date: | 200420102021 |
| Historic Use: | school – elem/middle/jr high/high |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
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| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Buemming & Dick (1907); Urban F. Peacock (1955) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' titled "St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Cathedral Complex" 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. 1955 addition was a two story addition of a gym and cafeteria. James J. Quinn was the builder. Last surveyed in 1984 with a map code of 138/19 on map 393. Resurveyed as part of Milwaukee Downtown Connector Arch/History Survey (2010), Prepared by Heritage Research. DOE completed for entire St John's complex by Heritage Research (2011). 2010: This religious complex occupies an entire block and consists of five buildings bounded by N. Jackson Street tot he west, E. Wells Street to the south, N. Van Buren Street to the east, and E. Kilbourn Avenue to the north. The complex includes the National Register-listed St. John the Evangelical Roman Catholic Cathedral building at 812 N. Jackson (#27243), as well as the following buildings (which were not accessed as part of the 1974 NRHP nomination): a rectory building located at 802 N. Jackson (#113494); a gymnasium at 840 N. Jackson (#113512); and a school and convent located at 831 N. Van Buren (#113479) and 845 N. Van Buren (#113478). The complex has experienced a number of changes since the original construction of the cathedral in 1849. However, the remaining structures are generally intact and represent a substantial part of the parish/complex history. The school and convent were constructed in 1906, with the gymnasium and rectory added in 1955 and 1950, respectively. The rectory has experienced window alterations, although its original form is still intact. Prior to the dedication of the present-day St. John the Evangelical Cathedral in 1853, the congregation was housed by the neighboring church of St. Peters. The congregation a one time maintained a school (grades 1-12), a convent and a rectory. The church and rectory buildings retain their historic functions; however, a part of the school that was located directly north of the church has been demolished. The convent now is known as the "Cathedral Center" and the original school is known as the "Archbishop Weakland Center." The cathedral was designated as an historic landmark by the City of Milwaukee in 1992. 2021 - The St. John Cathedral High School is located between the convent and the rear of the Cathedral sanctuary and faces east onto Van Buren Street. This three-story Neoclassical Revival building was constructed of cream brick in 1908. The primary elevation is symmetrical in plan, with a slightly projecting center section topped with a pediment and cross. Dentils are found underneath the pediment and cornice. Another stone pediment supported by plain brick pilasters with modest capitals and bases is found above the second-floor window of the central entrance. Fenestration is arranged symmetrically, and consists of tall, multi-light aluminum replacement windows. Additional alterations include the razing of a portion of the building to the west in 2001, although the bulk of the building as well as its primary elevation remains. |
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| Bibliographic References: | "Historic Designation Study Report of the St. John's Cathedral Complex," Document on file at the City of Milwaukee Historic Preservation Division, Milwaukee, WI. https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cityHPC/DesignatedReports/vticnf/st.johncathedral.pdf |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |