109 E Main St

109 E Main St

Grant

Montfort

1964

school – elem/middle/jr high/high

Contemporary

Brick

Y

No

Updated 8/2024, Carol Cartwright The two-story school building is constructed into a rise, so that two stories are only seen on the main elevation and part of the side elevations. The building has a rectangular form, a flat roof, and tan brick walls that are decorated on the main and side elevations with a wide flat concrete cornice and belt course. The largely symmetrical tall, narrow openings are filled with three-pane metal and glass openings. The main entrance features a double wood and metal door covered with a concrete overhang. The interior of the school consists of hallways, classrooms, a large assembly room, and offices. The walls of the interior rooms are primarily poured concrete scored to look like large blocks. Ceilings are covered with acoustical tiles and floors are covered with composite tiles. Some areas in the hallways and stairwells feature large and small glazed tiles. The staircase is covered with rubberized flooring and has a lattice-like balustrade. Interior openings are covered with institutional style wood doors with modern metal fixtures. The assembly room is set up for Catholic masses and features an altar and some wood paneling. The Monfort area had a large community of Czech Catholic residents in the early 20th century, but no local Catholic church. Finally, in 1925, after convincing the diocese hierarchy to form another church and raising enough money, St. Thomas Church opened. The church was built using labor from the congregation and was designed by Ferdinand L. Kronenberg, a prolific late nineteenth and early twentieth century architect from Madison. The rectory was built in 1933 and the school was built in 1964. The church is still an active Catholic congregation.