Skip to main content

click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Record

1121 N 14TH ST

Historic Name:
Holy Innocents Church
Other Name:
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Waldo Worship Site
Reference Number:
66287

Property Location

Location (Address) 1121 N 14TH ST
County Manitowoc
City/Village Manitowoc
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section

Property Features

Year Built 1951
Additions
Survey Date 1975
Historic Use house of worship
Architectural Style Art Deco
Structural System
Wall Material Stone - Unspecified
Architect Foeller, Schober, Berners, Safford and Jahn
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished No
Demolished Date
Additional Comments A 'site file' titled "Holy Innocents Parish Complex" 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. Tower with geometric panels at top.

Approximate cost $335,000.
Architects – Foeller, Schober, Berners, Safford and Jahn
Gen contractor – Hamman Construction
Heating – G. H. Kallies company
Electric wiring & fixtures – Anderson Electric
Finish hardware – J.J. Stangel company
(all subcontractors from Manitowoc)
Interior tile & marble – Twin City Tile and Marble – Minneapolis
Brown County Scroy stone used on exterior

2014- "The Holy Innocents Parish Complex consists of four contributing buildings (the church [66287] and rectory [227140]; and the school [227142] and convent [227141]); one contributing structure (the underground tunnel [227144]); and one contributing object (the shrine [227143]). The buildings occupy most of the two city blocks fronting onto Waldo Blvd. between N 15th St and Menasha Avenue. The site is landscaped with mature trees and plantings, and also contains several parking areas, paved walkways, and a playground southwest of the school.

Holy Innocents Church is roughly rectangular in plan and consists of a tall main block containing the nave and sanctuary; this main block is flanked by single story, shed- and flat-roofed wings which contain side aisles, chapel, sacristy, vestibules, and other ancillary spaces. A prominent square tower is located towards the rear of the west elevation. The church is clad in random-laid, ashlar-cut gray stone with dressed stone detailing at doors, windows and coping. The main body of the church has a slate roof; the tower has a copper roof. At the time of its construction, its architect referred to it as "Modernized Gothic" in style - a term which nicely summarizes the use of traditional massing and the deliberately sparse ornamentation.

The front facade faces south onto Waldo Boulevard. The elevation consists of a central gable flanked by full-height, flat buttresses. A large, flattened pointed arch window dominates the elevation. Inset into the window opening is a tracery-work cross. Below the large window, at entry level, is a pair of wood double entry doors topped with a flattened pointed arch transom. The door is flanked on each side by three low ­relief decorative panels and a metal-and-glass light fixture. Two small square windows are located in the buttresses. Each buttress is set on a cut-stone base with a decoratively molded water table. In the left (west) base is the cornerstone reading 1950; in the right (east) base the name "Holy Innocents" is carved in a Gothic script.

The east and west (side) elevations are basically similar in design. Each is six bays long. Each bay is articulated by full-height, flat buttresses and has a tall, pointed arch window. The shed-roofed side aisles contain four rectangular windows and a single entry door at the south. The east elevation also contains another recessed entry door at the north, three grouped rectangular windows in the chapel, and a pair of double hung windows. The most prominent element on the west elevation is the tower, whose vertical massing is reinforced by the Art Deco-style window surrounds and stepped roofline, complete with stylized geometric panels.

The north elevation is the simplest. There are no openings in the tall central block. The flat-roofed, one ­story portion has three one-over-one double hung windows, as well as six window wells which allow light to the basement below.

Inside, the church has smooth plaster walls and coffered ceilings. The floors are tile in the center and side aisles and terrazzo under the fixed pews. The sanctuary steps and floor are of green marble. The stained glass windows, which were designed and produced by the Conrad Schmidt Studios of Milwaukee, depict Biblical events and parables as well as religious figures and saints. On the back wall of the sanctuary, a larger-than-life-sized crucifix is surrounded by a stylized geometric wood surround. Apart from a few alterations, the interiors retain a high degree of integrity. The choir loft above the vestibule was rebuilt in 1975; two steel columns were installed to reinforce the former single-span beam which supported the balcony. An oak communion rail which formerly was located at the edge of the sanctuary steps was also removed around 1975."
-"Holy Innocents Parish Complex", WisDOT#1500-37-00, Prepared by GLARC, Inc. (Justin Miller), (2014).
Bibliographic References A. "Congregation votes to build new church." Two Rivers Reporter, April 25, 1950. B. "To Bless Church Corner Stone at Service on Friday." Two Rivers Reporter. Thurs, October 12, 1950. C. "Holy Innocents Church to be dedicated Sunday." Two Rivers Reporter. Fri, Nov 2, 1951.

National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings

National/State Register Listing Name Not Listed
National Register Listing Date
State Register Listing Date
Contributing
Permalink
Permalink

Architecture & History Inventory

The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.

Learn More about AHI

Contact Us

Questions?

Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!

Email Us

Attribution

For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier. 

The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.

For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.

 

Access Property Records

Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.

Schedule Appointment

Property Record
1416 GRAND AVE

1416 GRAND AVE

57850

Located in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County

View Property
Property Record
1121 N 14th Street

1121 N 14th Street

227140

Located in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County

View Property
Property Record
3001 BAY SETTLEMENT RD

3001 BAY SETTLEMENT RD

29708

Located in Scott, Brown County

View Property
Property Record
406 E MAIN ST

406 E MAIN ST

60080

Located in Campbellsport, Fond du Lac County

View Property
Property Record
1408 N WALDO BLVD

1408 N WALDO BLVD

227144

Located in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County

View Property
Property Record
7963 S 116th St

7963 S 116th St

8676

Located in Franklin, Milwaukee County

View Property
Go to top
Wisconsin Historical Society
Search Dropdown