Property Record
2445 WAUWATOSA AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Wauwatosa Cemetery Chapel |
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| Other Name: | First Baptist Church |
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| Reference Number: | 9019 |
| Location (Address): | 2445 WAUWATOSA AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Wauwatosa |
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| Year Built: | 1852 |
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| Additions: | 1915 |
| Survey Date: | 19952016 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Greek Revival |
| Structural System: | Brick |
| Wall Material: | Stucco |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Wauwatosa Cemetery and Chapel |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 6/12/2023 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 2/24/2023 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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 Greek Revival church building, with returned eaves, a pedimented portico and Doric columns, was the first church erected in Wauwatosa. The structure became an armory in 1905, and then became a cemetery chapel in 1915 - when it was moved to a cemetery. The first Baptist church in Wauwatosa was organized in 1845 and held services in parishioner’s homes and a non-extant schoolhouse. Under the leadership of the first minister, Reverend Enoch Underwood, the parish constructed a Greek Revival church, then located at the southwest corner of the present Wauwatosa Avenue and West North Avenue, in 1852. The congregation moved to the First Baptist Church of Wauwatosa constructed at the southwest corner of 75th Street and Hillcrest Drive in 1888, and the old church building was donated for use as an armory. The building’s bell tower, windows, and interior were removed at that time. The church building was closed in 1914 and moved to Wauwatosa Cemetery for use as a chapel. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Zimmerman, Heritage Guidebook. Wauwatosa Landmarks, Wauwatosa Landmarks Commission, 1994. Wauwatosa News Times 10/22/1998. The Wauwatosa Story. Wauwatosa, WI: Wauwatosa Board of Education, 1961. ‘Historic Wauwatosa,’ newsletter. Wauwatosa Historical Society. Wauwatosa Public Library general history files. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |