St. John Chrysostom Church (Delafield, Wisconsin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John Chrysostom Church
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1111 Genesee St., Delafield, Wisconsin |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architect | Richard M. Upjohn |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000069 |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1972 |
The St. John Chrysostom Church, also known as the Episcopal Church of St. John Chrysostom or the Little Red Church on the Hill, is a historic wooden church. It was built in 1852 in Delafield, Wisconsin, which is in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. This church is part of the Episcopal faith. In 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special building protected for its history.
Today, St. John's is still an active church. It is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee.
Contents
Discovering St. John's Church History
This beautiful church was built between 1851 and 1853. It is made of wood and shows off the Gothic Revival style. This style is known for its tall, pointed shapes, like the arches over the windows and doors.
Who Designed This Historic Church?
People in the area used to believe that Robert Ralston Cox, who helped start the church, designed it himself. However, an expert in old buildings, Richard Perrin, thinks differently. He believes the church's design comes from a book by a famous architect named Richard Upjohn. The book was called Upjohn's Rural Architecture.
Perrin noticed that St. John's Church looks very similar to Upjohn's designs. For example, the main part of the church, where the pulpit (speaker's stand), organ, and choir seats are, and even the special triple window, all match Upjohn's plans. The detailed woodwork inside is also very similar.
Unique Features and Local Craftsmanship
There is one main difference between St. John's and Upjohn's original design. Upjohn's plan included a tall tower on the church. But St. John's has its bell house as a separate building next to the church.
Some of the church's beautiful decorations were added by local artists. A carpenter named Alden Kelly created the fancy bargeboards (decorated boards under the roof edges) with carved designs. He also made the rood screen inside the church, which is a carved screen that separates parts of the church. A blacksmith named Jacob Luther made the iron hinges for the doors. He shaped them to look like tree branches!
Important People in the Church's Past
James DeKoven was the first leader, or rector, of St. John's Church. He served from 1855 to 1859. Bishop Jackson Kemper officially dedicated the church building on May 20, 1856.
On February 23, 1972, the church building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. Another notable person who served as rector was Arthur Anton Vogel, who later became a bishop. He was the church's rector from 1953 to 1957.
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