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First Unitarian Church (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

Coordinates: 43°02′52″N 87°53′58″W / 43.04791°N 87.89938°W / 43.04791; -87.89938
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First Unitarian Church
First Unitarian Church
Location1009 E. Ogden Ave.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Coordinates43°02′52″N 87°53′58″W / 43.04791°N 87.89938°W / 43.04791; -87.89938
Built1891
ArchitectFerry & Clas
Architectural styleGothic Revival
NRHP reference No.74000102
Added to NRHPDecember 30, 1974

The First Unitarian Church is a historic Gothic Revival-styled church built in 1891–92 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1][2]

First Unitarian's congregation hired the firm of Ferry & Clas of Milwaukee to design their new church building, and Ferry himself led the design - in reserved Gothic Revival style. Most walls are rock-faced Bedford limestone, rising to steep gable roofs with dormers. The general floor-plan is L-shaped, with a tower rising from one leg of the L.[3]

Inside, the auditorium has a hammerbeam ceiling resting on carved stone corbels. The chancel contains an organ, a pulpit, and a carved oak sedilia. The windows have abstract designs.[3]

The church is little changed from when it was built. First Unitarian was placed on the NRHP for its architectural significance, but it is also the oldest Unitarian church building in Milwaukee.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "First Unitarian Church". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2017-09-11.
  3. ^ a b c Mary Ellen Wietczykowski; Donald N. Anderson (1974-08-09). "NRHP Inventory/Nomination: First Unitarian Church". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-09-04. With one photo.