Property Record
121 WISCONSIN AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | First Methodist Church |
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| Other Name: | First Methodist Church |
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| Reference Number: | 44300 |
| Location (Address): | 121 WISCONSIN AVE |
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| County: | Waukesha |
| City: | Waukesha |
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| Year Built: | 1895 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1977 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Limestone |
| Architect: | Henry F. Starbuck, Hugo C. Haeuser (1925 addition) |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | First Methodist Church |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 12/1/1983 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of Waukesha |
| Additional Information: | Architectural Statement: The First Methodist Church is one of the four fine church buildings in Waukesha, each of which is constructed of the beautiful local limestone, and each of which is a distinctive example of an architectural style. The other builidngs, however, are Gothic-inspired designs. (See St. Joseph's Catholic Church, East Avenue, St. Matthias Episcopal Church, and the First Baptist Church, 247 Wisconsin Avenue). The First Methodist Church is the only design to have been derived from Romanesque soruces. The only comparable design in Waukesha is the Waukesha County Courthouse (101 W. Main Street, WK 5/22) entered on the National register in 1975. First Methodist, constructed of randomly coursed limestone, is dominated by a large rectangular bell tower which rises from a battered base adjoining the gable end of the church. Narrow round headed openings pierce the walls, but accenturate the solidity and mass of the structure. The body of the church extends in a north-south direction and is rectangular in plan. The sanctuary however, is circular, expressed on the exterior by a circular pavilion (or belvedere) at the roof and by slightly curved walls on the side elevations. The interior of the sancturary is dominated by a beautiful stained glass skylight from which radiate ribs of the roof trusses. In 1925, a stone classroom addition was appended to the building. This was designed to harmonize with the original building. An education wing, of more modern appearance, was constructed in 1959. Although this is a constrast in style and materials this unit is located to the rear of the church and remains fairly unobtrusive. However, this addition does not contribute to the significance of the building. The church is in excellent condition. The facade is oriented to the north. The First Methodist Chruch was designed in approximately 1893 by Henry F. Starbuck, a Milwaukee architect. [C]. Newspaper articles and sketches credit Starbuck with the design but do not provide additional information on the architect. According to the Milwuakee city directories, Starbuck was in partnership with T. Leslie Rose in 1893. After 1895, Starbuck was no longer listed in the directories and Rose was in partnership with Charles Krichoff, Sr. The First Methodist centennial pamphlet lists Hugo Haueser as the architect of the church. Haueser was also a Milwaukee architect, however, he was not listed in the city directories until 1898, at which time he was an apprentice and draftsman, apparently in the office of Ferry and Clas. By the early twentieth century, Haueser was a draftsman for A. Eschweiler, and in the 1920's was listed individually as an architect. Haueser may have designed the addition to the chruch which dates from the 1920's. [C, D]. Architectural Significance: The First Methodist Church provides Waukesha with a fine example of Richardsonian Romanesque design, which was a relatively rare style in Waukesha. The local stone is well suited to the design, creating the sense of mass and solidity associated with the style. Historical Statement: The Methodist Church was started with a prayer meeting in 1837; however, the congregation was not started officially until 1839. First Methodist's 1840's frame chruch burned in 1861. In 1863, its stone replacement was completed. It, in turn, burned in 1882 but was repaired. In 1893, the congregation began to plan for a larger church which is this building completed in 1898. [A, B]. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. First Methodist Church, "125 Years," unpublished 1964. B. J. H. A. Lacher, "Pioneer Clergymen Had to Contend with Harships," Freeman 75th Anniversary, 1934. C. Waukesha Freeman, June 13, 1895 p. 1. D. Milwuakee City Directories 1891, 93, 95, 97...1920. E. Zimmermann #755. F. Penn Loerke, Jean. "The Spires of Waukesha: Ten Churches Plus One" Waukesha County Museum, May, 1975. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |