Property Record
1335 S GREEN BAY RD
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Kimissis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church |
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| Other Name: | Greek Orthodox Church |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 12002 |
| Location (Address): | 1335 S GREEN BAY RD |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
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| Year Built: | 1965 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19792019 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Late-Modern |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Francis J. Wilson |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. GEOMETRICAL COMBINATION OF RECTANGULAR, DOMED, AND ARCHED SOLIDS. 2019: "The Kimissis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church was designed by architect Francis J. Wilson of Kenosha and constructed in 1965 in the Contemporary style. It has asymmetrical massing, a U-shaped footprint, and flat roofs of varying heights. While most of the exterior is clad in brick, the principal section that houses the narthex, nave, and sanctuary is clad in pebble dash panels. A scalloped metal cornice motif is found throughout the church exterior. Similar to other modern Greek Orthodox churches, a large blue dome topped with a cross sits above the nave The building’s west elevation is the primary façade and where the varying heights of each section of the church are most visible. The shortest section of the church is centrally located with a prominent bank of windows at its center, sheltered by a projection adorned with a geometric cornice pattern also found on the domed portion of the building. Flanking the central section is a slightly taller section to the north and a recessed sanctuary (the tallest section of the building) to the south. The main entrance to the church is located at the junction of the central section and sanctuary. The south elevation is characterized by an arcade of stained glass windows capped by segmental arch openings. A central projecting series of concrete arches punctuates the interior of the worship space. This pattern is also visible on the north elevation of this section of the church. The east (rear) elevation of the church reveals an interior courtyard located within the church’s U-shaped footprint. A windowless brick projection is located on the southern end, while a secondary entrance is located on the north end capped by a decorative cantilevered roof designed to echo the cornice found elsewhere on the exterior. The central recessed section is composed almost entirely of floor-to-ceiling windows lighting the interior hall. The north elevation is the least adorned side of the church, containing an additional entrance and a utilitarian loading area. This section was constructed in c.2000. Decorative arcaded cornices hood the secondary entrance and loading area. The Kimissis tis Theotokou congregation was founded in 1916. The following year, a house at 723 Grand Avenue in downtown Racine was purchased and remodeled into a church. In 1925, after adjacent lots were acquired, a dedicated church building was constructed. By the 1950s, a new church was needed for the growing congregation. In 1963, an eight-acre parcel was purchased on STH 31 at Wright Avenue, and the current church was completed two years later. In 2000, an addition was completed that created a new fellowship hall and expanded kitchen facilities. The former fellowship hall was converted into classrooms.(1)" |
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| Bibliographic References: | (1) Kimissis tis Theotokou, “Racine Church History,” accessed October 2, 2019, http://www.kimissis.org/about_us/racine-churchhistory. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |