Property Record
1031 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | St. Patrick's Catholic Church |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 230967 |
| Location (Address): | 1031 MAIN ST |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | Onalaska |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | 16 |
| Range: | 7 |
| Direction: | W |
| Section: | 4 |
| Quarter Section: | NW |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1959 |
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| Additions: | 2003C. 2000 |
| Survey Date: | 20152025 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Contemporary |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | Y |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | 2025: The St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is a two-story, irregular-plan, Contemporary ecclesiastical building constructed in 1959, according to the date stone on the front (southwest) facade. It is clad in brick with a front-gable roof with asphalt shingles, exposed rafter tails, and prowed eaves. The original building consisted of the central two-story portion with one-story projections on the south end of both side (southeast and northwest) elevations. A one-story gable addition was added c.2000 at the center of the southeast elevation of the two-story massing. A large one-story addition with a flat and gable roof with skylight and gable dormers was added to the northwest elevation. An enclosed breezeway is to the west, creating the current footprint. The building has a large interior brick chimney on the southwest corner of the two-story massing and a poured concrete foundation. Windows are original stained glass with stone sills and replacement metal fixed and awning with stone sills. The facade is rounded and has a large metal sign. The southeast elevation’s one-story projection features an entrance with double metal doors. A deep eave overhang, supported by stone columns, extends off the rear (northeast) elevation and is above a one-story vestibule featuring several entrances with glass doors and metal fixed windows. An entrance with double glass doors is on northwest elevation. A brick and stone sign are located to the south of the building. To the north is a large parking lot. Alterations include the additions and some replacement windows. In 1949 the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church was organized in Onalaska. The following year, the congregation constructed its first church on the corner of 11th Avenue North and Main Street. As the congregation grew, the church decided to construct a new larger church and rectory on the same site, demolishing the old church in 1959 to make way for the subject church. |
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| Bibliographic References: | "Ready for Christmas," photos and captions of church under construction, The La Crosse Tribune, 26 July 1959, 6/1-6. Cites seating for 550 and that the cornerstone was laid on 14 June 1959. "Parish to Take Over New Onalaska Church," The La Crosse Tribune, 23 April 1960, 3/2-3. Peter Nelson and Sons was the general contractor. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |