Property Record
OMAHA ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | ST. JOSEPH'S CHAPEL |
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| Other Name: | Sacred Heart Cemetery Chapel |
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| Reference Number: | 29630 |
| Location (Address): | OMAHA ST |
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| County: | Eau Claire |
| City: | Eau Claire |
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| Year Built: | 1896 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1987 |
| Historic Use: | cemetery building |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
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| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | St. Joseph's Chapel |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 1/14/1988 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
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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. This small chapel is located in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. The red brick Gothic structure is characterized by a steeply pitched gable roof, a center entrance tower, and pointed arch openings. 1984 Rehabilitation: the roof of the chapel was reshingled with asphalt shingles. The doors were replaced with new doors that contain long rectangular shaped glass in each door. In place of a ramp to the front cement access platform, concrete formed steps with metal railings on each side were installed. Under the leadership of Father John Metzler of Sacred Heart Parish, St. Joseph's Chapel was erected in memory of the previous priest, Father Joseph Boehn. Masses were periodically held in this building until 1943 when the building fell into disrepair. The building was restored in 1982. 2016- "A steeply pitched gable roof and central entrance tower characterize this one-room red brick Gothic Revival building. The building is erected on a limestone foundation with common brick walls laid with 7th course headers. Many of the original interior features have been retained including a multi-colored tile floor, gold leaf detailing on the walls and ceilings and the altar with its intricately hand-carved wooded relief reredos. Rev. John Metzler of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish commissioned the construction of the chapel in 1896 in the memory of Rev. Joseph Boehm. Sacred Heart is located at 418 North Dewey Street and was founded by sixty German-speaking families in 1875. Masses were held periodically in the chapel through 1943 at which time the building fell into disrepair until the parish undertook restoration efforts in 1982. Today, the chapel is used periodically for various services and gatherings." -"Eau Claire Landmarks: Designated Historic Properties in Eau Claire, Wisconsin", Eau Claire Landmarks Commission, P.O. Box 5148, 2016. |
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| Bibliographic References: | HISTORIC PRESERVATION FOUNDATION NEWS, VOL. 6, #3, SEPT.-DEC. 1994. Eau Claire Landmarks booklet published by the Landmarks Commission in 2002. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |