Property Record
826 STATE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH |
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| Other Name: | ST. GEORGE SERBIAN CHURCH |
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| Reference Number: | 11360 |
| Location (Address): | 826 STATE ST |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1853 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1975 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Greek Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| 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. FULL PEDIMENT. FLUTED DORIC COLUMNS IN ANTIS. BRICK PILASTERS AND ENGAGED COLUMNS. SEE DISTRICT SITE FILE. SIMILAR TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DESIGNED BY LUCAS BRADLEY IN RACINE. BUILT BY A GROUP OF CONGREGATIONALISTS WHO HAD TEMPORARILY AFFILIATED WITH THE PRESBYTERIAN PARISH. LIGHTNING DESTROYED THE STEEPLE IN 1912 AND WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE IN 1948. LATER IT BECAME THE PLAYDIUM AND WAS USED FOR DANCES AND OTHER EVENTS. THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY ACQUIRED THE BUILDING IN 1957. THEY HAVE RESTORED THE EXTERIOR AND RENOVATED AND REMODELED THE INTERIOR. "In 1850 Racine Congregationalists, who had shared the First Presbyterian Church, were able to build their own house of worship. Set on the corner of 7th and Main Street where St. Luke's now stands, it was totally destroyed by fire nine months later. Undaunted, they began a new building on State Street on land donated by Sidney H. Sage, a member of the congregation, only to have the structure blown down in a snowstorm before it was finished. A new church was finally completed and dedicated in 1854. Like the First Presbyterian Church, the building takes a popular Greek Revival temple form, It has two Greek Doric columns set between antae at the front, and bays set off by pilasters. The State Street church, however, is much simpler in detail and less sophisticated. Originally there was a tall steeple similar to the Presbyterian's but, it was destroyed by lightning in 1912. A chapel was added to the rear in 1890. The Congregationalists sold the building in 1948 after a fire. It then became the Playdium, a hall used for dances and other events. In 1957 the building was purchased by Racine Serbian immigrants, who showed the same spirit and energy as the early Congregationalists in restoring their church. It was rededicated as St. George's Serbian Orthodox Church and was the first in the country to be owned by Serbians." Renewing Our Roots: The Northside, Racine, Wisconsin, Preservation-Racine, Inc., not dated. |
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| Bibliographic References: | PRESERVATION RACINE, INC. NEWSLETTER SUMMER 1994. Renewing Our Roots: The Northside, Racine, Wisconsin, Preservation-Racine, Inc., not dated. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |