Property Record
1432 CHARLES ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | TRINITY LUTHERAN RECTORY |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 237441 |
| Location (Address): | 1432 CHARLES ST |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2016 |
| Historic Use: | rectory/parsonage |
| Architectural Style: | |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stone Veneer |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | Y |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Similar to the Bethany Lutheran Home (1315 Cass Street), the Minneapolis firm of Thorshov and Cerny received the commission for Trinity Lutheran Church. The church was established in 1919 through a merger with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, resulting in the use of the Norwegian church building at Charles and Sill streets. During the 20th century the merged congregation continued to expand and by the mid-1940s plans were in place for a new building. The 1952 cross gabled A frame church designed by Thorshov and Cerny featured Fond du Lac Stone and was described as "contemporary" with its steep roofs and low eaves. The design received an American Institute of Architects (AIA) award for best of religious design by Progressive Architecture magazine in 1952. The magazine however, noted that "while nothing of supreme brilliance had been submitted during the year in the category of religious structures," in general, religious designs had reached a level of "maturity" which promised well for the future. Trinity Lutheran Church is highly intact both inside and out, and exhibits a high degree of architectural style and integrity. It is being recommended as potentially eligible for the National Register. The CHURCH ( 80116) and school (80117) should be considered for nomination at the same time as the church. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Jan 3, 1954; "Trinity Congregation Outgrowth of Merger," La Crosse Tribune, Mar 24, 1957; "Church Dedicates New Parish Building." La Crosse Tribune. "Church Design Receives Honor: Trinity Lutheran gets 'Best' Rate," La Crosse Tribune, Feb 3, 1952; Progressive Architecture, "Design Preview for 1952", p 96. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |