Gesu Church (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gesu Church |
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 Gesu Church
Location in Wisconsin
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| 43°2′18″N 87°55′38″W / 43.03833°N 87.92722°W | |
| Location | 1145 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1887 (Gesu Parish) |
| Founder(s) | Society of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | NRHP |
| Designated | 1986 |
| Architect(s) | Koch, Henry C.; Et al. |
| Style | French Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1894 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Gesu |
| Archdiocese | Milwaukee |
| Province | Jesuits Midwest Province |
Gesu Church is a Roman Catholic church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is run by the Jesuits, a group of priests. This church is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special historical building. It was also named a Milwaukee Landmark in 1975.
Even though Gesu Church is not officially part of Marquette University, it works closely with the university. Since 1991, it has helped serve the students and people living near the downtown campus.
History of Gesu Church
Gesu Church started a long time ago, in 1849. It was first known as St. Gall's Parish. This church served Irish Catholic people who spoke English and lived in the Milwaukee area called Tory Hill.
As more people joined the church, a new building called Holy Name Church was built in 1875. By 1887, the Jesuit leaders decided to combine these two church groups into one big church. The name Gesu was chosen in 1893. This name honors the Church of the Gesu in Rome, Italy. This church in Rome is where St. Ignatius of Loyola, who started the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), is buried.
The first stone of the new Gesu Church was put in place on May 23, 1893. More than 20,000 people came to watch this special event. The church was officially finished and opened on December 17, 1894.
A famous actor named Pat O'Brien (1899–1983) grew up near the church. He was an altar boy at Gesu. He went to school with another famous actor, Spencer Tracy (1900–1967). Both of them later attended Marquette University.
Today, Gesu Church holds church services every day. On weekends, more than 2,500 people come to worship there.
Church Design and Features
The church building was designed by an architect named Henry C. Koch. He created it in the Gothic style, which is a very old and grand way of building. He got his ideas from the famous Cathedral of Chartres in France.
Gesu Church has tall, pointed towers called spires. These spires are not the same height, which makes the church look unique. It also has a large, round window in the center, called a rose window. Inside, you can see beautiful stained glass windows that tell stories with colorful light.
The church also has special granite columns inside. These columns were given by Harriet L. Cramer. People say they are the only columns of their kind in the United States.
Gallery
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Gesu Church in autumn
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Gesu Church
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West tower
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See also
- List of Jesuit sites
