Property Record
7809 HARWOOD AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church |
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| Reference Number: | 77340 |
| Location (Address): | 7809 HARWOOD AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Wauwatosa |
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| Year Built: | 1929 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 199520162025 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Late Gothic Revival |
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| Wall Material: | Limestone |
| Architect: | Hugo Haeuser |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | The St. John Evangelical Lutheran congregation was established in Wauwatosa in 1882 as a predominately German church. A non-extant church and school were constructed at the intersection of Harwood Avenue and Dewey Avenue in 1888. In 1929, a larger church was constructed, designed by architect Hugo Haeuser. The church has operated a school since its formation. A new large school was constructed across the street to the east in 1957 along with a small contemporary addition to the church. The church continued to hold services in the German language until 1965. 2025 - This Neogothic Revival church was constructed in 1929 and designed by Hugo Haeuser. Located on a corner lot, it is a roughly rectangular structure, featuring many ascending gables, a gabled roof with raised parapet, and a massive, crenellated bell tower at the northeastern corner. The church is constructed of random coursed limestone with cast stone detailing. The eastern elevation contains the gable end of the sanctuary with a large, trefoil stained glass window, fronted by dentillated arcade. Windows of the arcade are blind, though three of the openings have been filled with smaller trefoil-detailed sashes. An octagonal tower extends east from the main building mass, featuring a tiled roof and stone-capped, stepped pilasters. Pilasters also separate multiple bays on the northern elevation, though some are capped by gablets as well as stone slabs. The belfry tower features small gothic arched windows on the first story, blind arches on the second, and narrow gothic arched openings at the belfry level. It is topped by a metal spire. A small Contemporary addition with a small, crenellated tower similar to the one on the main structure was constructed to the south of the sanctuary in 1957, along with an associated school building across the street to the east. |
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| Bibliographic References: | "New Church to be Erected for St. John's," sketch and story, cites Haeuser as architect, Wauwatosa News, 2 August 1928, 1/3-5. "To Dedicate New St. John's Lutheran Church," drawing and information, Wauwatosa News, 13 June 1929, 2/2. Haueser's name is on drawing. St. John's Church Dedicated," Wauwatosa News, 27 June 1929, 1/5. Building and Planning Permit Records, on file at the Wauwatosa Planning Department, Wauwatosa. Wauwatosa City Directories, 1926-1992, on file at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. Wauwatosa Historical Society general files. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |