Property Record
210 N COURT ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Methodist Church |
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| Other Name: | United Methodist Church |
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| Reference Number: | 74690 |
| Location (Address): | 210 N COURT ST |
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| County: | Monroe |
| City: | Sparta |
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| Year Built: | 1925 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1989 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | W.l. Alban |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | The Methodist CHurch was built in 1925 and replaced the eMethodist Episcopal CHurh which was destroyed by fire on December 21, 1924. The previous church was built in 1888. The cornerstone for the new Methodist Church was laid on July 25, 1925 and the church was officially dedicated on October 31, 1926. The Methodist Church gains local historical significant under Criterion A. Although a religious structure, and not associated with any of the themes outlined in the district, it acquires significance under exception A which recognized the historical role of religious buildings. The development of the church appears to have been a stable influence in the community and appears to parallel others in western Wisconsin. It posesses its historical significance from the date of its completion and the beginning of its actual use in 1925 until the present. The end date recognizes its continued function as a church. Displaying a simple almost sculptural form, the Methodist Church features late Gothic Revival styled elements including a steep gable roofed form, a tower topped by battlements, Tudor arched windows with English perpendicular styled tracery and stained glass. Contrasting red brick and white masonry creates a rather stylized polychromatic design in this ubdued late GOthic styled church. This Methodist church building, designed by a St. Paul, Minnesota architect, A.L. Alban, was constructed for a contracted price of $64,000 by local contractors, the Naset Brothers. The Methodist Church is significant under Criterion C as an example of the Gothic Revival. One of four extant Gothic styled historic churches remaining in the community, it is representative of the Late Gothic Reviavl style. St.Johns Episcopal Church at 400 N. Water (MO 19/30) is a mid 10th century example while the 1905 St. Patricks Church at 210 N. Court (MO25/24) is representative of the early 20th century Gothic style. The Evangelical United Bretheran Church at 230 North L Street (MO19/30), another Gothic Revival styled church built in the same period as St. Patrick's, is a frame interpretation of the style. In addition, the exceptionally well-preserved Methodist Church is a significant historic property because there are only a few extant historic church buildings with integrity in Sparta that are still functional. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Sparta Herlad Jan 15, 1925; March 26, 1925; May 28, 1925. (B) Sanborn Insurance Map, City of Sparta 1889, 1894, 1900, 1911, 1922, 1931. (C) Sparta Volunteer Fire Department, "Sparta Volunteer Fire Department Centennial, 1879-1979," May 19, 1979 (pamphlet), p. 44. (D) Sparta Centennial Celebration Committee, Sparta Incorporation City Centennial: 1883-1983 (1983), unpublished pamphlet, pp. 6-7. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |