| 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.
This Romanesque Revival rough-cut stone church with center-front tower with onion dome was completed in 1911. Frank Geib did carpentry work. Served Slovenian and Croatian populations in the city. Sheboygan County Landmark.
2020-2024 Targeted Resurvey of Sheboygan recommendation write-up:
This church property includes a church (1911; AHI#82322) at 828 New Jersey Avenue, school (1923; AHI#232690) at 834 New Jersey Avenue and a rectory (1967; AHI#246376) at 822 New Jersey Avenue. The Romanesque Revival-style church is constructed of cement block and features a central belltower that is fronted by a one-story entrance with three entrance portals. Main level windows throughout the building are round-arched, stained-glass openings with modest tracery, with side walls being delineated into bays by buttressing. Basement-level openings are rectangular. The church steps were replaced at an unknown date, prior to 2007. Located west of the church is the two-story school building which is also built of cement block. Largely devoid of any architectural style, it is finished with a stepped parapet. Rectangular window openings are located throughout the building, with many being downsized with stone aggregate infill with windows, or entirely infilled with aggregate or board. Located east of the church is the two-story, Contemporary-style rectory that is finished with both brick and board sidings and topped with a flat roof with wide overhanging eaves.
Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic congregation was established in 1910 with a congregation that consisted largely of Slovenian immigrants that had been attending St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. Construction of the new church was begun that same year, with the cornerstone being laid on 18 September. Designed by the Green Bay firm of Foeller & Schober, the total cost was estimated at $30,000. The first mass occurred on 9 April 1911 and formal dedication services were held in November. Although the exterior of the school building was completed in circa 1919; the interior was not finished until 1923, when the school formally opened. In 1967, the existing rectory, which was designed by Lawrence E. Bray & Associates, was built in the location of the original 1911 rectory. In 1980, the church was designated as a Sheboygan County Landmark. The school merged in 1991 with Christ Child Academy, the consolidation of St. Peter Claver and Immaculate Conception Catholic schools. The 1961 convent, which was located east of the rectory, was torn down in 2015 to make way for the existing modern housing development.
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| Bibliographic References: | LJM Architects, Inc. City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin: Architectural and Historical Intensive Survey Report. City of Sheboygan Historic Preservation Commission & Department of City Development; 2002, 2004 & 2006.
Citations for the 2020-2024 Targeted Resurvvey of Sheboygan recommendation write-up:
"Catholic Church to be Built,” The Sheboygan Press, 21 July 1910, 1; “To Dedicate Church Next Sunday,” The Sheboygan Press, 20 November 1911, 1; “Fitting Ceremonies Sunday,” The Sheboygan Press, 27 November 1911, 1; “Women Unite in Effort for Parish School,” The Sheboygan Press, 6 March 1922, 5; “Parish to Observe Its Golden Jubilee,” The Sheboygan Press, 29 October 1960, 3, this article enumerates the original parish as having ninety families; “SS. Cyril-Methodius Convent Complete; Open House Sunday,” The Sheboygan Press, 15 March 1961, 3; “Request for SHPO Comment and Consultation on a Federal Undertaking: Historic Preservation Grant 828 and 834 New Jersey Avenue,” Case#07-0493/SB, 2007 Paperwork completed by LJM Architects, Inc., On file at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI: “Parish is Observing Diamond Jubilee,” The Sheboygan Press, 20 July 1985, 12; “History of SS. Cyril & Methodius,” Available online at https://www.sscparishes.org/ss-cyril-methodius, Accessed December 2023. |
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