Property Record
254 W MILL ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church |
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| Other Name: | Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 3502 |
| Location (Address): | 254 W MILL ST |
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| County: | Columbia |
| City: | Columbus |
| Township/Village: | |
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| Year Built: | 1878 |
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| Additions: | 1887 |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Edward Townsend Mix; Henry Bolte |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and Parsonage |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 7/18/2009 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/16/2009 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and Parsonage) 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. POINTED ARCHED WINDOWS, POLYCHROME BRICKWORK, OPEN BELFRY IN STEEPLE W/CINQUEFOIL ARCHES, GABLED ROOF OVER ENTRY W/KING POST TRUSS AND BARGE BOARDS. THE BELL FOR THE CHURCH WAS CAST FROM 5 CANNONS CAPTURED DURING THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR AND GIVEN TO THE CHURCH BY KAISER WILHELM, EMPEROR OF GERMANY. IT WAS CAST IN BALTIMORE BY A GERMAN MASTER AND WEIGHS 1,600 POUNDS. A LATIN INSCRIPTION ON IT READS "I CALL THE LIVING, I MOURN THE DEAD, I BREAK THE LIGHTENING!". THE ADDITION AT THE REAR OF THE BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1887. IN 1896, THE STEEPLE WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTENING AND REBUILT. Exceptionally fine High Victorian Gothic style polychromatic brick church designed by Milwaukee architect Edward Townsend Mix, and built in 1878 with Richard D. Vanaken as carpentry contractor and Henry Bolte as masonry contractor. In 1887, an increase in the size of the church neccessitated the expansion of the church, which consisted of a 40-foot x 50-foot addition to the rear of the nave in the same style. "This church building is a fine example of the Victorian Gothic style. The most distinguishing feature of this style is the polychromatic exterior finish. Bricks of differing colors create decorative bands and highlight arches on the building exterior. The wall surface is further decorated with masonry corbelling at the eave line and a rusticated stone foundation. The prominent square belfrey features an arcade of three ornamented trefoil arches on each side. The bell for Zion Church was cast for five cannons captured during the Franco-Prussian War and given to the church by Kaiser Wilhelm, Emperor of Germany. The bell was cast in Baltimore by a German master and weighs 1,600 pounds. On its surface is the Latin inscription (translated) "I call the living, I mourn the dead, I break the lightening!" The addition at the rear of the building was built in 1887. In 1896 the steeple was struck by lightening and rebuilt." Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
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| Bibliographic References: | CORNERSTONE. COLUMBUS HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE TOURS, COLUMBUS HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION, 1994. Butterfield, C. W. History of Columbia County, WI. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1880, pp. 682-683. Columbus Democrat: December 15, 1877, p. 1; February 9, 1878, p. 1; June 8, 1878, p. 4; November 9, 1878, p. 4. Columbus Republican: August 18, 1928, p. 1. Zion Ev. Lutheran Church Columbus, Wisconsin Centennial. Columbus: 1978. Illustrated centennial booklet about the church. Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |