Property Record
7445 20TH AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Kenosha Bible Church |
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| Other Name: | Mt. Hebron Church of God in Christ/Vacant |
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| Reference Number: | 144418 |
| Location (Address): | 7445 20TH AVE |
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| County: | Kenosha |
| City: | Kenosha |
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| Year Built: | 1950 |
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| Additions: | 1953 |
| Survey Date: | 2007 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Other Vernacular |
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| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | This brick-faced church is comprised of a two-story entrance wing and a one-story wing to the rear. The central entrance is comprised of four glass doors set within a simple stone surround. A glass block-infilled cross rests immediately above the doorway. Rectangular, glass-block opengings lie to either side of the entrance along both the first and second level. The entrance facade terminates with a stone-trimmed, stepped parapet. Sidewalls of the two-story section carry a single, glass-block window along each level. The one-story rear wing is vertically articulated into four bays by simple brick piers with a stone cap. All four bays carry a single, glass-block opening, however, the lattermost (easternmost) opening is smaller than the preceding openings. A two-story, brick classroom wing extends from the church to the northeast. All glass-block windows are original to the structure. The Kenosha Bible Church was organized in 1922 with twelve members and it was first identified as The Gospel Center. Their first meeting place was an industrial style bulding at 67th Street & 20th Avenue. Twelve years later the name was changed to the Kenosha Bible Church and, in 1937, the subject congregation merged with Calvary Evangelical Free Church (and became affiliated with the Ev. Free Church of America). In 1943, the original church building was remodeled to resemble a more traditional church building and featured Neo-Gothic elements. The church's radio ministry began in 1949 and accommodations for a radio room for broadcasting wetre installed in the subject church, built in 1950. An educational wing was built in 1953. the Kenosha Bible Church occupied this structure until 1977, at which time it built a new church at 5405 67th Street. After 1977, the subject church building was home to Victory Church of God, the congregation of which was founded the year prior. Between circa 2000 and 2003, the structure was home to the deeply conservative and highly controversial Church of God Restoration congregation, which was led by Bernie Tocholke. The church is currently vacant and for sale. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Information on the church website and a 1972 newspaper article differ slightly in their information. the newspaper article indicated that the name of the congregation changed to the Kenosha Bible church in 1936, at the time of the convergence of the Calvary Evangelical Free Church and The Gospel Center; however, the website indicates that the name was changed in 1934 and the merger occurred in 1937. "Kenosha Bible Church History," Available online at www.kenoshabible.org/history/index.htm, Accessed on 14 May 2007; "Kenosha Bible in 50th Birthday," Kenosha News, 17 March 1972, Clipping in the Kenosha clipping file, Kenosha Public (Southwest) Library; Kenosha City Directory, 1952; "Man Blames Church Teachings; Pastor Calls it a Vandetta," Kenosha News, 23 April 2003; "Kenosha Bible Church to Erect New Building," Kenosha News, 19 November 1949, Clipping in the Kenosha Clipping file. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |