Property Record
W8524 U.S. HIGHWAY 12
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Free-Will Baptist Church |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 117887 |
| Location (Address): | W8524 U.S. HIGHWAY 12 |
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| County: | Jefferson |
| City: | |
| Township/Village: | Oakland |
| Unincorporated Community: | Oakland |
| Town: | 6 |
| Range: | 13 |
| Direction: | E |
| Section: | 21 |
| Quarter Section: | NE |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: | NE |
| Year Built: | 1878 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2013 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | During the mid-nineteenth century, a Baptist Congregation was formed out of the growing Baptist community amongst some of the earlier settlers in the Town of Oakland. Initially, services and gatherings were held in private homes, including the Snell House. During the 1860s, a non-extant church was constructed in Oakland Center and named the Free-Will Baptist Church. In the spring of 1878, a Tornado hit Oakland Center destroying much of the small community, including the Baptist Church. The church was soon rebuilt. A non-extant parsonage was also constructed around this time; however, it was destroyed by fire in the 1890s. By the turn-of-the-century, many of the older settlers had moved from the Town of Oakland or passed away. The church closed in 1904 and has since been converted into a private residence. Enclosed entry porch addition, large picture window installed in the facade. An original ocular window in the gabled peak of the facade has been infilled. A tornado destroyed the first church in 1878. This second building was constructed in its place as well as an accompanying parsonage. The church was damaged by fire in the 1890s and the parsonage was destroyed. The church closed in 1904 due to declining membership and the building was sold in the 1960s. Converted into a private residence. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Swart, Hannah. Koshkonong Country – A History of Jefferson County Wisconsin. Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin: W. D. Hoard & Sons Co., 1975. Page 218. Historic name and construction date taken from "Town of Oakland Community Resources." Architecture/History Survey. September 1999. Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |