Property Record
810 E 5TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | UNITARIAN MEETING HOUSE |
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| Other Name: | AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ONAWAY CLUB |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 17290 |
| Location (Address): | 810 E 5TH ST |
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| County: | Douglas |
| City: | Superior |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1890 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19752019 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Queen Anne |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Wood Shingle |
| 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: | 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. 2 PROJECTING ENTRY VESTIBULES W/JERKINHEAD ROOFS. FALSE 1/2 TIMBER "BARGEBOARDS" W/BOARD INFILL UNDER JERKINHEADS. STEEPLY PITCHED ROOFS W/METAL FINIALS AND BRACKETED EAVES. WOOD SHINGLED WALL BENEATH SILL COURSE. The First Unitarian Church of Superior, consisting of a number of "forward-thinking intellectuals" was organized in the city in 1890. These devoted, non-traditionalists soon built their first house of worship in the central community of Central Park. The octagonal church with its 60 degree roof served the congregation until 1895. Unable to continue due to the limited number of members and the loss of their clergyman, the group disbanded. From 1899-1912 the building became the home of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a congregation of black families from throughout Superior. They too were forced to disband and in 1914 the owners of the property, the Unitarian Church Assembly (national organization) gave the property to the city as a permanent community center. Deed restrictions determine the building's continued public use. The Onaway Club is the appointed organization which has, since 1914, along with local women's organizations, been in charge of the site. At present the structure goes unused. The architectural plans for the building were said to have come from the mother church of the Unitarian Congregation in Chicago, Illinois. The building is now being renovated into residential use. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Christianity...at the Head of the Lake, Norris Dickey, 1941, WPA Project. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |