Property Record
90 S MACY ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | First Baptist Church of Fond Du Lac |
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| Other Name: | Calvary Mission Center |
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| Reference Number: | 54419 |
| Location (Address): | 90 S MACY ST |
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| County: | Fond du Lac |
| City: | Fond du Lac |
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| Year Built: | 1906 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1988 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | M.O. Pillsbury |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | First Baptist Church of Fond du Lac |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 12/29/1986 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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. This church building is constructed of brick and features an intersecting multigable roof with parapets at the gable ends. Buttresses decorate corners of the building and the gable ends. The building sits on a high limestone foundation and features many gothic-arched openings, most filled with stained glass. Stone trims the parapet and accents the buidling throughout. This building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a fine example of the Gothic Revival style of church architecture. The parapeted roofs, buttresses, and gothic-arched openings are all elements of the style. This rambling church is well-built and is typical of early twentieth century Gothic Revival church design. The Baptist Church congregation was formed in 1845 and a wood frame church was built in 1853. In 1906, the cornerstone for this church was laid and the building finished in 1907. This building is not historically significant, although its congregation is one of the oldest in Fond du Lac. 2016- "The First Baptist Church of Fond du Lac was organized in 1845 and joined with the People's Church, an unaffiliated body, in 1905. With the increase in size the congregation had to construct a new building to accommodate the new families and over 500 Sunday School attendees. This locally and nationally designated structure is an example of early 20'h century Neo-Gothic design. The building incorporates the coloration and proportion of Craftsman design with the ornamental and structural features of Gothic tradition. The interior is still virtually intact: the Estey organ (purchased with a matching grant from Andrew Carnegie), baptistery, pews, and entire Sunday School with its gallery, chalkboards, and curtain partitions remain as they were in 1907. They moved to a smaller structure in 1980. -"City of Fond du Lac - Memorandum", January 20, 2016, from Dyann Benson (Community Development Director). |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Fond du Lac City Directories. (B) Sanborn-Perris Maps - Fond du Lac. (C) Fond du Lac Tax Rolls. (D) Carol Cartwright, City of Fond du Lac Intensive Survey Report, Fond du Lac: City of Fond du Lac, 1992. Fond du Lac Reporter 7/27/2003. The Improvement Bulletin 7/15/1905. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |