Property Record
81 E 2ND ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | St. Joseph's Catholic Church |
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| Other Name: | VACANT |
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| Reference Number: | 52049 |
| Location (Address): | 81 E 2ND ST |
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| County: | Fond du Lac |
| City: | Fond du Lac |
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| Year Built: | 1910 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2010 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Late Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | Turnbull & Jones, Chicago |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | 1988: This large Gothic Revival church is constructed of rough finished limestone. The steeply pitched gable roof is parapeted at the gable ends. Two square corner towers project from the corners of the main facade. The corners of the church and the towers are decorated with stepped buttresses. On the towers these buttresses end in large pinnacles. The towers are also decorated with battlements, and Gothic-arched openings. Numerous Gothic-arched openings also decorated with main walls of the church. The largest are at the gable ends. Most of these openings are filled with impressive stained glass. The main entrance consists of two Gothic-arched openings decorated with gable peaks and stone trim. A cupola rises from the intersection of the main roofs. It features a tall tent roof and Gothic-arched openings. Using native limestone, the church walls are elaborately decorated with Gothic motifs, including Gothic-arched openings, towers, and buttresses. It is one of the finest churches in a city with many fine churches. This church was the earliest Catholic church in the city. Founded by Fr. Bonduel, a noted missionary, a chapel was built on this site in 1847. While the church continued to grow, some ethnic groups left to form their own churches. In 1874, a new St. Joseph's Church was erected but it was not fully completed until 1888. The church was significantly damaged in the 1908 fire that damaged several nearby churches, and was rebuilt in 1909-1910. This church is historically significant as the earliest Catholic church in the city. Founded by a noted missionary, St. Joseph's was the mother church for other Catholic churches in the city. 2010-2011 Intensive Survey Report Info: Located at the northwest corner of E. 2nd & S. Marr streets, this large Neo-Gothic Revival style church is faced with rough-cut limestone and cruciform in plan. A pair of towers dominate its E. 2nd Street elevation, with the immediate corner tower rising over three stories. It is finished with corner buttressing that terminates with stone pinnacles topped with crockets; the shorter, two-story tower to the east is detailed in the same manner. Between the towers is the primary entrance that consists of two, double-door entries set within a Gothic-arched, stone surround with compound arching. Above the entryway is a large Gothic-arched opening that includes a rose window with stone tracery while a clock is located at the immediate peak. Each of the projecting gabled wings to the east and west also display a large window opening with a rose window and stone tracery. Aside from the side-aisles windows, which are more rounded, all arching is peaked. Started in 1909 and completed the following year, St. Joseph's Catholic Church was designed by the Illinois firm of Turnbull & Jones after a fire destroyed the earlier church structure at this location. The first Catholic mission in the City of Fond du Lac was founded in 1847 by Rev. F. X. Bonduel and a church was built that same year at this location. It was, however, first named St. Louis Catholic Church. In 1854, the chapel was enlarged and a rectory was built. Settlement of Fond du Lac expanded and additional Catholic congregations were formed between 1855 and 1870. The predominantly Irish parishioners that remained with the mission church re-named the congregation St. Joseph's and a new church building was started in 1875; however, it was not completed until 1888. On 25 September 1908, a fire in the downtown area destroyed a number of buildings, including St. Joseph's. Although some artifacts were saved, all records were destroyed. Rebuilding of St. Joseph's started almost immediately, with the razing of the church remnants being done in October of 1908. The contract for construction of the new Turnbull & Jones-designed church was let in May 1909 to Thomas O'Connell of Fond du Lac (at a cost of $44,868). The cornerstone was laid on 16 August 1909 and dedication occurred just over a year later on 23 September 1910. In 1928, a new school was built (and which remains) at 95 E. 2nd Street, east of the church and next to the rectory (no longer extant). The school was staffed by the Sisters of St. Agnes and consolidated with that of St. Mary's in 1975. In 1997, St. Joseph's celebrated their 150th anniversary and, one year later, the decision was made to merge six Catholic parishes (which included St. Joseph's) to form the Holy Family Catholic Community. The last mass was held at St. Joseph's on 12 November 2007 and some of the stained-glass windows were removed from the building. The structure is currently for sale. The subject church--designed by the Chicago firm of Turnbull & Jones--is a very good and highly intact example of the Neo-Gothic Revival style of architecture. Although it is noted that some of the stained-glass windows were removed when the congregation vacated the building, it appears that many still remain intact. Based on the structure's high degree of integrity and architectural styling, St. Joseph's Catholic Church is considered a significant example of the Neo-Gothic Revival style in the City of Fond du Lac. |
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| Bibliographic References: | See 2010-2011 Intensive Survey Report for citations for the material below. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |