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Summary
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
W3005-W3008 County Road R, Town of Crystal Lake, Maquette County
Date of Construction: 1907
Builder/Carpenter: Bert Shew
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is significant as a very good and highly intact rural ecclesiastical example of the Gothic Revival style of architecture. Built in 1907, the center-steeple, brick-clad church’s character-defining features include its steeply pitched roof line, Gothic- (or pointed-) arch windows and entrance, brick buttressing with stone caps, and a basilica plan. Although featuring a simple interior, the extensive use of ornamental pressed metal throughout the church—on all walls and ceiling—along with original wooden flooring, staircase, and church furniture, support its integrity.
Following a comparison of other Gothic Revival-style churches throughout rural locations in Marquette County, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church stands as the best and mostly highly intact example of an early twentieth century, rural church building. Also included in the National Register boundary is the associated church cemetery that was established by 1865, as well as a former Sunday School and church hall “schoolhouse” building believed to be built circa 1906.
Property Details
| Criteria | Architecture/Engineering |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Architecture |
| Period of Significance | 1907 |
| Architectural Style | Gothic Revival |
| Architect | Shew, Bert (contractor, builder) |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | Religious Facility |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 2 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 1 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 1 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 2 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Feb 21, 2025 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jul 18, 2025 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Listed in the State Register of Historic Places
Thursday, March 06, 2025
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Town of Crystal Lake (Marquette County) on the State Register of Historic Places
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in the National Register of Historic Places
