Property Record
609 COLE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Watertown Moravian Church; Eng. & Ger. Christian Acad |
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| Reference Number: | 76185 |
| Location (Address): | 609 COLE ST |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | Watertown |
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| Year Built: | 1854 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1986 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
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| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Named the "Schafstall" [Sheepfold] by the students, the English and German Christian Academy is a cream brick building built in a single gabled form characterized only by rectangular windows with brick lintels and a denticulated raised brick cornice on the side elevators. Originally a three room building used as the English and German Academy for only three years, this building presently used as a residence has a wooden addition at the rear. Although very interesting historically and as an example of early school architecture in Watertown, the simple English and German Christian Acdeny is probably not architecturally significant as a good example of vernacular architecture. This building was used as the first church for the Watertown Moravian Church. It was later used as a school called the English and German Christian Acemy. For most of its history, though, it has been a residence. A rural Moravian Church was established outside of Watertown in 1853, after a small group of Moravians requested a minister. In 1854, seven families established a church in town. This building was probably erected at that time as a church for this group. It was used until 1864 when a new church was constructed at Sixth and Cole Streets. That church was replaced in 1904. In 1864 this building was converted to the English and German Christian Academy. It was only in existence briefly, but was one of the many schools for German immigrants that existed in Watertown during the nineteenth century. This building is significant for local history under National Register criterion A because it was the first church building erected for the Watertown Moravian Church, and is one of the oldest church buildings in the community. Moravians are found in Wisconsin primarily in three areas: Brown and Door counties, Watertown, and Wisconsin Rapids. The Moravians are an unusual ethnic church and represent the range of religions the Germans of Watertown ascribed to in the nineteenth century. This building also has historical interest as the brief home of a German private school. Many schools were started, but few are still extant today. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Evelyn Rose, Our Heritage of Homes, Watertown: Watertown Historical Society, 1980, p. 53. (B) Arthur Schwarze, "The Moravian Church, Watertown, Wisconsin," 1936, on file at the Watertown Historical Society, Octagon House, Watertown, pp. 2-8. (C) "Moravian Church Diamond Jubilee Services Sunday," Watertown Daily Times, Sept. 5, 1929, n.p. (D) Elmer C. Kiessling, Watertown Remembered [Milwaukee, Franklin Publishing, 1986], p. 96. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |