Property Record
151 S WASHINGTON AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 237571 |
| Location (Address): | 151 S WASHINGTON AVE |
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| County: | St. Croix |
| City: | New Richmond |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1966 |
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| Additions: | 1990 |
| Survey Date: | 2018 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Contemporary |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | Irish immigrants to New Richmond from the mid-nineteenth century on established the first incorporated congregation of the LaCrosse Diocese in Wisconsin. Catholic service began in the city on a regular basis beginning in 1872 and met in non-extant halls along what is now South Knowles Avenue. In 1880, plans began to construct a Catholic church for New Richmond. The first attempt was destroyed by fire during construction and begun again in 1884. This non-extant church, completed in 1889 on the west side of the city, was also destroyed by fire in 1892. An exact non-extant facsimile of the church was completely rebuilt. The Catholic cemetery located behind the church and school to the west was established in the 1880s. It is the only historic cemetery on the west side of New Richmond. St. Mary’s Catholic School was established in 1890 on a site to the south of where the future Catholic church would be constructed. A non-extant convent, located between the church and school, was completed in the early twentieth century. In 1953, St. Mary’s School was demolished and replaced with a new building. The cemetery was expanded in 1957, requiring the demolition of a number of adjacent houses. The old non-extant church, which could only seat 500 parishioners, proved too small and was demolished in 1965. While the new church was under construction on the same site, services were held at the adjacent school. The new Brutalist style Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, located at 151 South Washington Avenue, was completed in 1966. In 1970, the church constructed a rectory at 140 Pershing Avenue, which was not included in the survey. The church building was renovated in 1990 including a small brick office addition in the rear. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |