Property Record
247 WISCONSIN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | First Baptist Church |
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| Other Name: | First Baptist Church |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 16792 |
| Location (Address): | 247 WISCONSIN AVE |
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| County: | Waukesha |
| City: | Waukesha |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
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| Year Built: | 1872 |
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| Additions: | 1922 1959 |
| Survey Date: | 1992 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | Edward Townsend Mix (1872)/H. C. Hengels (1922) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | First Baptist Church |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 10/28/1983 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of Waukesha |
| 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, Division of Historic Preservation. HABS # WI - 12. Architectural Statement: Designed by Milwaukee architect, Edward Townsend Mix, the First Baptist Church is a fine example of Victorian Gothic ecclesiastical architecture. The form employed for the church appears in a number of designs executed by Mix in the 1870s and is dominated by a steeple set diagonally to the body of the church. The entrance is located in the base of the tower, a position which exploits the corner site of the church. On the second story is the sanctuary lit by four pointed arch stained glass windows on either side, and a rose window on the north facade. Buttresses articulate the side elevations and the steeple tower. A portico is located on the center front (north face) of the church and flanked by a smaller tower capped by a fleur de lys finial. Fleur de lys and quatrefoil patters are repeated in the design. The church is constructed of rock faced stone, with smooth stone forming window surrounds. An educational wing, added in 1922 on the east, repeats the Gothic theme and construction materials. Another educational wing, added in 1959 is of modern design and of concrete, limestone and brick construction. Neither this later addition nor the two-story, brick 1922 parsonage contribute to the significance of the property. The church is in excellent condition. Other map codes include City Map # 108 and Waukesha City Map 4/29. Architectural Significance: The First Baptist Church is significant as a period of construction and is a major visual landmark in the area. The excellent quality of the stone work and the fine ornament contributes to the success of this Victorian Gothic design. These churches are all constructed of the local limestone but vary stylistically. St. Matthias Episcopal Church (111 E. Main Street, WK 5/19), is a Gothic Revival building dating from the 1850's. First Methodist Church (121 Wisconsin Avenue, WK 4/35), constructed in the 1890's was greatly influenced by Richardsonian Romanesque design. St. Joseph's Catholic Church (818 N. East Avenue, WK 2/21) is like First Baptist, a fine example of High Victorian Gothic design. The First Baptist Church, which predates St. Joseph's and First Methodist, was designed by the Milwaukee architect, Edward Townsend Mix. Mix was responsible for the design of many of the important commercial, public and residential buildings erected in Milwaukee from the 1850s to the 1880s. In addition, he served a term as state architect (1864-1867) and designed buildings for communities throughout Wisconsin. Three buildings in Waukesha are attributed to Mix: the Chandler House (151 W. College Avenue, NRHP 1974), the Frame House (507 N. Grand Avenue, WK 1/15) and First Baptist Church. Historical Statement: The very first Baptist meeting in the community took place on January 11, 1836 in the Nathaniel Walton cabin. The first church was built on this site in 1844. It was moved east to the intersection of Wisconsin and Broadway in 1871 to make way for the present building. The 1844 church was used as the Town Hall in 1957. In 1959, it was moved to the present County Courthouse grounds for restoration. The old Town Hall was demolished in 1970. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Date Stone. B. Waukesha Plaindealer, July 30, 1872. C. Waukesha Freeman, November 11, 1926. D. Zimmermann, # 757. E. Penn Loerke, Jean. "The Spires of Waukesha: Ten Churches Plus One" Waukesha County Museum, May, 1975. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |