Property Record
12130 W CENTER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH BELL TOWER |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 233304 |
| Location (Address): | 12130 W CENTER ST |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Wauwatosa |
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| Year Built: | 1970 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2016 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Metal |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | The St. Joseph Catholic Church was initially established as the fourth Catholic congregation in the City of Milwaukee at the corner of 11th Street and Cherry Street. The original church was replaced with a large non-extant stone building in 1883. St. Joseph Catholic Church was demolished in 1962 and the land given to the expressway commission for the construction of Interstate 43 in Milwaukee. A ten-acre site in Wauwatosa at the intersection of 120th Street and Center Street was purchased for the congregation at the same time. A new Contemporary style school for the congregation, located at 2750 North 122nd Street, was completed in 1963, and the adjacent Contemporary style St. Joseph Catholic Convent, located at 12130 West Center Street, was completed in 1964. The school served as the chapel for services until the church was completed a few years later. The congregation also purchased an adjacent ranch house, located at 12130 West Hadley Street and constructed in 1961, for use as the St. Joseph Rectory, though it is not included as a part of the complex. In 1970, the Brutalist style St. Joseph Catholic Church was completed along with a separate bell tower. In 1995, a Parish Activity Center Addition was constructed with remodeled classrooms, administrative area, a day care, a gymnasium, and extensive renovations to the school building. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Celebrating 50 Years: St. Joseph Congregation. 2005. Pamphlet. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |