St. Patrick's Church (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Patrick's Church
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| Location | 322 Fulton St. Eau Claire, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1885 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival/Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003392 |
| Added to NRHP | January 28, 1983 |
St. Patrick's Church is a historic Catholic church located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It was built in 1885 and is known for its beautiful design. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's an important building recognized for its history and special architecture.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
Starting Small in the 1850s
The St. Patrick's community began in the 1850s. Early religious leaders, called missionaries, came from Chippewa Falls to help start the church. Their first church building was made of wood and was built in 1858.
Growing and Changing
As the community grew, a school was added in 1870. A few years later, in 1875, some families started their own church, called Sacred Heart Church.
In 1880, the St. Patrick's community bought the land where the church stands today. They built a new church there, which was finished in 1882. Sadly, this building burned down in 1884 before it was fully completed.
Building the Current Church
But the community didn't give up! Just one year later, in 1885, they built the church you see today on the same spot. This shows how dedicated they were.
Amazing Architecture and Design
Who Designed It?
The current St. Patrick's Church was designed by an architect named Abraham M. Radcliffe. He created a strong brick building with a pointed roof, called a gable roof.
Special Features
The front of the church has three matching doors. Above these doors, you can see a window and special spaces in the wall that once held statues.
On each side of the main entrance, there is a tall, square tower. The tower on the right has four levels, and the one on the left has three. The sides of the church and the towers have strong supports called buttresses. These help the walls stand tall.
Mixing Styles
Radcliffe mixed different building styles in his design. The narrow, pointed windows, called lancet windows, remind us of the Gothic Revival style. But some round arches also suggest the Romanesque Revival style. It's a cool mix of old designs!
An old picture shows that the right tower used to be much taller, with a very tall steeple on top. Edward Henneberry and Cornelius Webster were in charge of the stone work, and Henneberry also managed the wood work.
An Important Landmark
St. Patrick's Church was built when many logs were being floated down the Chippewa River. It is the oldest church building still standing in Eau Claire today. It's a true piece of history!
