Property Record
2030 W NORTH AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ZIONS KIRCHE U.A.C. |
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| Other Name: | BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH |
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| Reference Number: | 16310 |
| Location (Address): | 2030 W NORTH AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1883 |
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| Additions: | 1908 |
| Survey Date: | 1999 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | Carl F. Ringer, Sr.-1883; Bruns and Bruns-1908 |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| 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. Rising from a stone foundation, this German Gothic Revival style church is constructed of Cream City Brick and is dominated by a central tower that is topped with a multi faceted spire. While the church is oriented on a north/south axis, the primary entrance faces south; additional side entrances are situated within slightly projecting, gabled wing projections located near the north end of the structure. Notable features include the following: twin corner towers; pointed (Gothic arch) windows and other openings; corbel tables; and battered buttresses. Alterations to the exterior are limited to a one-story, rear wing addition. A school is associated with the church and is listed in the AHI as #118181. This church was originally constructed by Carl F. Ringer. The twin tower additions were added in 1908 and were designed by Bruns & Bruns. The towers are characteristic of Germanic country churches. No main building permit. The Lutheran congregation occupied this church until approximately 1967, when the group chose to relocate to Menomonee Falls. The subject structure is currently associated with Bethel Baptist Church, an African-American congregation that began conducting services in the former Lutheran church in April 1967. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1) BUILT IN MILWAUKEE, LANDSCAPE RESEARCH, P. 134. 2) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 1/26/1998. 3) City of Steeples: An Inventory of Architecturally Significant Worship Structures in Milwaukee. Prepared by Historic Preservation Staff: Paul Jakubovich and Carlen Hatala. Milwaukee: City of Milwaukee, DCD, 1996. Datestones. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |