St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Watertown, Wisconsin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 413 S 2nd St., Watertown, Wisconsin |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1885 |
| Architect | James Douglas |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000087 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1979 |
St. Paul's Episcopal Church is a historic church in Watertown, Wisconsin. It is part of the Episcopal Church in the United States. The church buildings are famous for their beautiful Gothic Revival architecture. Because of its special design, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in America.
Contents
History of the Church
St. Paul's was the first Episcopal church group, or parish, in Watertown. It was started in 1847 with help from Reverend Melancthon Hoyt. He was a traveling preacher from Fox Lake.
At first, the church members held their services in a Methodist church. But soon, they built their own small church on Third Street. The parish grew quickly, and by 1859, it had 70 members who took part in church services.
Building a New Church
In 1859, the parish decided it needed a bigger building. They built the main church hall that still stands today on 2nd Street. A Milwaukee architect named James Douglas designed it in a style called "modern Gothic."
Today, we call this style Gothic Revival. You can see this in its steep roofs and tall, pointed windows, called lancet windows. The church is 60 feet long and 38 feet wide. The walls are made of a special cream-colored brick from a local brickyard. Inside, the walls are plaster with wooden panels at the bottom.
How the Church Grew Over Time
Over the years, St. Paul's added new buildings and features. Each addition shows how the Gothic Revival style changed.
The Rectory and Chapel
In 1885, a rectory was built next to the church. A rectory is a house for the church's priest. It was also built with cream-colored brick and has tall windows and steep roofs, matching the Gothic style.
A year later, in 1886, a chapel was added. It connects to the main church and has similar pointed windows and brick walls.
The Bell Tower
In 1890, a large, square bell tower was built over a side entrance. The tower has a tall, eight-sided spire with a cross on top. This tower was built in a style called High Victorian Gothic. It is much more detailed and decorative than the simple main church hall built in 1859.
Stained Glass and Guild Hall
Between 1890 and 1909, the original windows were replaced. New stained glass windows made by the Milwaukee Art Glass Company were installed.
In 1931, a guild hall was added. This building was used for church meetings and events. It was designed to match the other buildings but has some different window shapes.
St. Paul's Church Today
St. Paul's is one of the oldest church buildings still being used in Watertown. The entire church complex is considered important because it shows how Gothic architecture evolved over 70 years. Each part of the building tells a piece of its long and interesting history.
