Property Record
C. 189 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF POTOSI |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 46734 |
| Location (Address): | C. 189 MAIN ST |
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| County: | Grant |
| City: | Potosi |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1842 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1976 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Greek Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | ALTERED NOW FOR USE AS A RESEDENCE, THIS BRICK BUILDING FEATURES RETURN EAVES (A GREEK REVIVAL DETAIL), AND ON THE SIDE WALLS, THREE RECTANGULAR OPENINGS. THE MAIN FACADE HAS BEEN TOTALLY ALTERED. BUILT IN 1842, THIS FORMER CHURCH IS PRESENTLY DESIGNED WITH A BRICK, CLAPBOARD AND SHINGLE EXTERIOR. ITS RECTANGULAR PLAN CONFIGURATION HAS HAD ADDITONS MADE TO IT. THE BUILDING IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN FAIR CONDITION. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF POTOSI WAS ORGANIZED IN DECEMBER, 1840, BY REVEREND SOLOMAN CHAFFEE. (SEE BIB. REF. B). THE CONGREGATION, ORIGINALLY INCLUDING TWENTY-NINE MEMBERS, QUICKLY RAISED FUNDS, AND IN 1842, ERECTED THIS BRICK BUILDING AS THEIR CHURCH. MEASURING TWENTY-FIVE BY THIRTY FEET, THE STRUCTURE ACCOMODATED 200 POEPLE AND WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $1000. ACCORDING TO A MEMBER OF THE CONGREGATION, "THIS LITTLE BRICK CHURCH WAS FOR FIFTY YEARS THE BELOVED SABBATH HOME OF MANY OF POTOSI'S MOST REPECTABLE AND INTELLIGENT PEOPLE." (SEE BIB. REF. A). IN ADDITION TO RELIGIOUS FUNCTIONS, THE CHURCH ALSO SERVED AS A COMMUNITY CENTER IN WHICH CONCERTS AND OTHER PUBLIC GATHERINGS WERE HELD. IN 1876, THE CHURCH WAS RENAMED THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND IN 1891 A NEW CHURCH BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED AT 378 NORTH STREET, 49/11. FOLLOWING THE MOVE TO THE NEW CHURCH, THIS BUILDING WAS USED AS A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. (SEE BIB. REF. C). A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE FORMER CHURCH, BEFORE IT WAS REMODELED, IS INCLUDED IN OLD POTOSI. (SEE BIB. REF. D). |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. ELIZABETH DAVIES, MY LOVER'S LIFE STORY (LANCASTER: TELLER PRESS, 1911), PP. 111-113. B. CASTELLO HOLFORD, HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY, WISCONSIN (LANCASTER: THE TELLER PRINT, 1900), P. 536. C. GRANT COUNTY HERALD, 2 NOVEMBER 1921. D. CELESTINE AND GWENDOLYN KALTENBACH, OLD POTOSI (POTOSI: PRIVATELY PUBLISHED). |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |