| Additional Information: | ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS AND DOORS. ELABORATE SHAPED GABLES. STONE QUOINS AND METAL DOMES ON TOWERS. There were few Catholic families in the West Allis area before the arrival of Allis Chalmers. When that and neighboring plants opened, and the massive influx of foreign-born arrived, Holy Assumption was founded to minister to their needs. Money was quickly raised for the first building; a combination church and school opened in 1902. An addition doubling the size was built eight years later. By 1915, the congregation had grown to the point that a new church was needed. It was decided to build the basement for the future church, along with a parish house. Although the basement seated 640, it was soon outgrown, and plans were drawn up for the present building which was completed in 1925.
Previously surveyed in 1980; no apparent changes when re-reviewed in 2007.
The Holy Assumption Catholic Church complex includes a 1916 rectory, a 1924 church, a 1927 meeting hall and a modern school. Due to alterations and the modern nature of the school structure, only the church is discussed forthwith. Resting on a raised basement, this church is largely Romanesque in its styling; however, a Byzantine influence details the religious structure. Oriented to W. Orchard Street, a pair of domed, four-story towers anchor the primary facade; the lower level of each features a one-story entry topped with a shaped parapet surmounted by a cross. The actual entrances are round-arched openings that carry a pair of wooden double doors, as well as a stained-glass tympanum above. Each of the towers is accented by stone quoining and round-arched, grilled openings punctuate all four sides near its uppermost level. Between the two towers is the primary entrance to the church which is recessed beyond a triple arcade trimmed with limestone. A shed roof shelters the actual entry, the roof of which is covered with barrel tile. An almost rectangular window opening is located along the second level and is trimmed with stone quoining. The uppermost edge exhibits a highly ornate, stone-trimmed, shaped parapet (which includes a cross), beneath which rests a stone-trimmed quatrefoil opening. Side walls of the church are vertically articulated into six bays by brick piers with simple stone caps. Each bay division carries a round-arched, multiple-light, stained-glass window along the first floor, while the basement level consists of three, double-hung sashes. Located along both side walls and just left of center (fronting bay number four) is a one-story, entry comprised of an open, triple arcade (note that the entrance arcade on the west is infilled). The rear of the church proper ends with a shaped parapet wall; however, beyond that wall are two, one-story wings which flank a taller mid-section. Each one-story wing carries a series of three, round-arched, double-hung sashes. Aside from the infill of the west side entrance, no apparent alterations have occurred to the church#25;s exterior; however, it does appear that the rear of the church is somehow connected to the adjacent rectory.
The Holy Assumption Catholic congregation was officially organized in 1901 and a pastor appointed in September of that same year. Rev. J.H. Burbach selected the present site and it was purchased just two months later. A combination church and school was completed in August of 1902 and the School Sisters of Notre Dame supervised the educational facility. A rectory was built at a cost of $1,600. They quickly grew out of their church quarters and a new basement church was built between 1915 and 1916. At the same time, a new rectory was built and the old one was moved across the street. In 1924, the upper church, which was designed by the firm of Clas, Shepherd & Clas, was built. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Burbach, Julius, West Allis, "a city of marvelous growth", (n.p., n.d.) p. 119, 121, 123.
Burbach, Julius, History of West Allis, West Allis, 1927, pp. 49-53.
Cornerstone.
Holy Assumption Church, Holy Assumption Church, 1902-1977, West Allis, Wisconsin 1977.
"New Holy Assumption Church Will Be Dedicated Next Sunday At West Allis by Msgr. Traudt," West Allis Star, 19 February 1925, Copy of article in Holy Assumption Binder.
Permit 30 June 1924, Addition to church, $77,000, Clas, Shepherd & Clas. |
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