Property Record
1705 S 9TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | ST. ANTHONY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH |
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| Other Name: | ST. ANTHONY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 15479 |
| Location (Address): | 1705 S 9TH ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
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| Year Built: | 1877 |
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| Additions: | 1948C. 1886 1903 1910 |
| Survey Date: | 19801975 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Limestone |
| Architect: | Naescher and Heer (Dubuque, IA); Kirchhoff & Rose (1910) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | West Mitchell Street Commercial District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 11/9/2018 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 5/18/2018 |
| 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 a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. Established in 1872 it was the second German Roman Catholic church on the city's south side. -In 1903 the tower was extended to provide for a belfry. -In 1910 Kirchhoff and Rose designed the sanctuary extension and sacristy. -In 1948 a new lowered front entry was added. "It took almost nine years to complete St. Anthony's church but the results were well worth the wait. The meticulously crafted German Gothic Revival church commands as much attention today as it did more than a century ago when Milwaukeeans praised it as a "magnificent" structure. The impressive limestone walls of the church are a reminder of an old regional tradition in German church building. In the southern, predominantly Catholic areas of Germany where many of St. Anthony's original parishioners had their roots, stone was the preferred building material for churches because it was readily available. Churches in the northern, predominantly Protestant regions of Germany, however, were usually built of brick because good quality, local building stone was scarce and imported stone too expensive. Building St. Anthony's in stone proved to be much more costly and labor-intensive than the parishioners had anticipated, however, so constrcution had to be stretched out over nearly a decade. In the German tradition, St. Anthony's large bell tower is centered at the front of the church and it ranks as one of the mouth side's most important visual landmarks. The stepped gable that trims the front roof line is an early Renaissance style detail that appeared at the very end of the Gothic period. in Germany. The stone belfry and slate-clad spire above the clock faces have the almost transparent look of filigree decoration, which is characteristic of German style "openwork." They were added to the church in 1903 according to designs furnished by the original architects. Entering the church is like taking a trip back to old Germany. The designs of the spectacular wooden altars and pulpit reflect the flamboyant ornamentation and architectural extravagance that is closely identified with their nineteenth century German builders. The interior is especially noteworthy because it features dramatic arched plaster vaults in the ceiling that are divided by projecting bands called "ribs." Rib vaulting is one of the most significant stylistic refinements of the Gothic period and a visit to St. Anthony's is one of the rare opportunities in this country to experience this type of church architecture. St. Anthony's was the second German-speaking Catholic parish on the south side of the city. It was founded in 1872 by an overflow of 150 families from Holy Trinity church at South Fourth and West Bruce Streets. Before the present church was built, services were held in a nearby school building. Today St. Anthony's is a multi-cultural parish that caters to the diverse needs of its surrounding neighborhood." MILWAUKEE ETHNIC CHURCH TOUR, CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT, 1994. |
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| Bibliographic References: | MILWAUKEE ETHNIC CHURCH TOUR, CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT, 1994. 1975 Survey, Houses of Worship. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |