Property Record
721 KING ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | First Methodist Episcopal Church (C) |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Wesley United Methodist Church |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 32999 |
| Location (Address): | 721 KING ST |
|---|---|
| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1886 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | 1907 1953 |
| Survey Date: | 19962017 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Boyum, Schubert and Sorensen |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | Gable roofed main structure intersected by front and rear cross gables and massive square entrance tower and belfry with pyramidal roof, and flanked by shed roof side aisle at the front and rear. Two small towers with pyramidal roofs and entrance at the rear; round arch portal with metal pediment over opening, paneled archivolts, and recessed door. Blind arches over rectangular stained glass windows as well as plain flat arched and round arched windows; rose windows in gable ends; decorative chimney crowns; round arch openings and full-length capped brick piers by finials articulate the massive tower. White stone belt courses and accents. Gable roofed church hall added to the west side. Constructed in 1886, the First Methodist Church now known as the Wesley United Methodist Church is the oldest continuing Protestant church serving the same denomination in La Crosse. One of the four most architecturally significant 19th century church structures in La Crosse, the First Methodist Church is an excellent example of the Victorian Romanesque Revival style. First Methodist Church was dedicated on August 15, 1886. The parsonage at 231 South 8th was purchased in 1899. Colman Annex was constructed in 1907 and the modern addition was built in 1953. Related buildins: Parsonage at 719 King St. General contractor: DeLorea & Rawlinson for a contract price of $12,400.00 and the stone work contractor was Royal Reynolds. The church was damaged by fire in 1922. 2017 UPDATE - THIS BUILDING LOOKS SUBSTANTIALLY LIKE IT DID WHEN LAST SURVEYED IN 1996. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) Pratt and Owen, La Crosse Illustrated (La Crosse: Art Publishing Co., Reprint: 1978), p. 33. (B) A. Sanford and H. Hirshheimer, A History of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1841-1960 (La Crosse: La Crosse County Historical Society, 1953), p. 238. (C) La Crosse City Directory. LACROSSE TRIBUNE 12/25/1994. LACROSSE TRIBUNE 8/8/1996. A. La Crosse Chronicle, 26 August 1885, 2 September 1885, 18 July 1886, 14 August 1886. B. La Crosse Republican Leader, 16 August 1886. C. La Crosse Tribune, 5 February 1922. La Crosse Tribune 10 Aug 1953 p. 2 |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |