Property Record
2479 N SHERMAN BLVD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | IMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH |
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| Other Name: | GREATER MOUNT ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 42796 |
| Location (Address): | 2479 N SHERMAN BLVD |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
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| Year Built: | 1917 |
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| Additions: | 1924 |
| Survey Date: | 1980 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | VAN RYN AND DEGELLEKE |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | North Sherman Boulevard Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 4/6/2004 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 10/17/2003 |
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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. "The Reformed Church has been in America since 1628. In 1793 the Dutch and German Churches in America became independent with the Dutch keeping their language for preaching and generally interpreting scripture more strictly. Immanuel Reformed had its beginning as a mission church to Grace Reformed in 9th and Chambers Streets. By 1912, the new church was granted a charter. The primarily German congregation purchased the corner lot on Sherman Boulevard and Wright Street from developers Richter, Dick, and Reuteman Co. in 1913. A frame chapel was dedicated in 1914. By 1916 the congregation outgrew the chapel and a new church was designed by architects Van Ryn and DeGelleke. The new church was dedicated in 1918. In 1919 one of the first Boy Scout troops in Milwaukee was sponsored by Immanuel Reformed. As the congregation continued to grow, the Founder Memorial Addition was dedicated in 1955. The original frame chapel was razed at that time. In 1966 Immanuel Reformed joined the United Church of Christ. By the 1980s membership had declined and the church moved to their new location at 7333 W. Silver Spring Drive. The church building is now used by Greater Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Greater Mount Zion, affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, the largest African-American denomination in the U.S., was founded by Rev. William Calvin in 1985, when he and the other church members left Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he had been pastor since 1961. Mount Zion was founded in Milwaukee in 1919. Greater Mount Zion met at the Lutheran church for the Deaf before moving to the former Immanuel Reformed Church in 1992." |
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| Bibliographic References: | Historic Milwaukee Inc., Sherman Park Pride in Craftsmanship 13th Annual Spaces & Traces Tour Saturday, May 14, 1994, Souvenir Booklet. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |