Property Record
1905 W WISCONSIN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer |
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| Other Name: | Redeemer Lutheran Church |
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| Reference Number: | 116338 |
| Location (Address): | 1905 W WISCONSIN AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1915 |
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| Additions: | 1916 |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Late Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Schuchardt & Judell |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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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. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Good example of a Neo-Gothic church in Milwaukee. Constructed of masonry bearing walls faced with dark red paving brick laid in a stretcher bond. Because of its strong, sculptured lines and its "studied but unaffected simplicity," Richard Perrin has said that this church is Milwaukee architect William Schuchardt's "most distinguished achievement in other than residential work." (2) Construction date, 1915-16. (1, 2) Schmidt and Febst was the mason and builder. (1, 2) Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Owner, 1915-Present. (1, 2) HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: "The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer was founded in 1889 by the Rev. William G. Frick. The congregation is noteworthy because it is the first Lutheran Church in Wisconsin in which the services were conducted in English. At that time other Lutheran churches, both in Milwaukee and elsewhere, conducted their services in German and Norwegian. Services were first held in a dance hall at 514 Grand Avenue, now Wisconsin Avenue. By 1890, the congregation had begun construction of a chapel on North 16th Street, between Wisconsin Ave. and Wells Street. The plans were prepared by a local architect named W. A. Holbrook and the simple brick chapel was dedicated on Dec. 14 of that year. By 1910, steps were taken to raise the necessary funds for the construction of a new church, and by 1911 a lot was acquired at the southwest corner of W. Wisconsin Ave. and North 19th Street. Construction of the present building commenced in November of 1915, and its dedication occurred in February of 1917. (1) |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1. Milwaukee Landmarks Commission 2. Perrin, Richard, "Milwaukee Landmarks", (Milw., rev. ed., 1979) p. 35-36. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |