Property Record
630 West Ave S
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | St. John's Reformed Church |
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| Other Name: | St. John's Reformed United Church of Christ |
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| Reference Number: | 34687 |
| Location (Address): | 630 West Ave S |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
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| Year Built: | 1925 |
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| Additions: | 1961 |
| Survey Date: | 19962024 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Colonial Revival/Georgian Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Rudolf H. Blatter, Jr. |
| Other Buildings On Site: | Y |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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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. Two-story pedimented gable roofed portico across the facade featuring a modillion bracketed pediment supported by colossal wood corinthian columns on a raised podium; brick quoins; round arched Georgian styled windows; projecting cornice over the entrance complete with melopes and triglyphs; classical detailed center tower and steeple placed to the front of the gable roof; modillion brackets under the eaves; gable roofed south side entrance supported by Tuscan columns; brick rear addition. St. John's Reformed Church, significant as an example of 20th century church architecture in La Crosse influenced by Classical design sources, is the only known local work of a La Crosse native, Rudolf Blatter, Jr. Constructed in 1925 by the German Reformed Congregation formerly at 961 South 4th Street. Constructed by local contractor, Peter Nelson and Sons. The adjacent St. John's Church Rectory was constructed in 1952. 1996- "Historically known as the St. John's Reformed Church, this Colonial Revival structure was built in 1925 by Rudolph Blatter, Jr. Its entrance facade is dominated by a fully pedimented and modillioned portico supported by four colossal Corinthian columns resting on a raised podium. Directly above the entrance portico is a Wren-inspired, louvered bell tower with spire. Brick quoins accent the building's comers, and a modillioned cornice encompasses the structure. Round-arched, triple-hung sash windows punctuate the north and south walls, and a compass window lies above the south side entrance, which includes a broken pediment supported by engaged Tuscan columns that surround the door and transom window. A sympathetic, brick office addition extends to the west. The integrity of this church remains completely intact." - "La Crosse North/South Transportation Corridor", WisDOT ID #5991-04-00, Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. (1996). 2024: Church is largely unchanged since the last survey. Property includes a Rectory (AHI #33994). |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) A. Sanford and H. Hirshheimer A History of La Crosse, WI, 1841-1960 (La Crosse: La Crosse County Historical Society, 1951), p. 231. (B) Leighton Oyen, 120 North 24th St., La Crosse, WI. (C) La Crosse Tribune, 6 December 1925, 11 January 1953. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |