St. James Episcopal Church, Milwaukee
Saint James' Episcopal Church is a Gothic Revival-styled Episcopal church built in 1867 - once a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee. In 1979 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The church building is believe to be the oldest stone church in Milwaukee.
Saint James parish was founded in 1850 as a mission of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church. In 1851 the congregation bought the land where today's church stands, which had been the site of Kilbourntown's Spring Street Burying Ground - the first cemetery on the west side of what would become Milwaukee. Many of the early settlers were Yankees, and many prominent people were members, with the first Episcopal service held in Increase Lapham's store, and Alexander Mitchell serving on the parish's building committee.
In 1867 the congregation built the stone church of today. It was designed by Gordon William Lloyd of Detroit in an English Gothic Revival style. The main block was built first, in 1867–68, with walls of Wauwautosa limestone, tall lancet openings, and clerestory windows above the side aisles. The square corner tower was added in 1870 to 1871, with corner buttresses and a wheel window that match those on the main block, and a tall broach spire topped with a cross.
A fire on December 31, 1872 destroyed the buildings interior, leaving only the walls and bell tower. The church went through a rebuilt and it was reopened on April 19, 1874. In 1899 a parish house was added.
The church is adjacent two other historical places in Milwaukee, the Saint James Court Apartments next door and the Central Library across the road. Both sites are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Over the years, the congregation dwindled until the church closed and the building was sold on November 30, 2017. In 2020 it reopened as a venue for weddings and other events.
Saint James parish was founded in 1850 as a mission of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church. In 1851 the congregation bought the land where today's church stands, which had been the site of Kilbourntown's Spring Street Burying Ground - the first cemetery on the west side of what would become Milwaukee. Many of the early settlers were Yankees, and many prominent people were members, with the first Episcopal service held in Increase Lapham's store, and Alexander Mitchell serving on the parish's building committee.
In 1867 the congregation built the stone church of today. It was designed by Gordon William Lloyd of Detroit in an English Gothic Revival style. The main block was built first, in 1867–68, with walls of Wauwautosa limestone, tall lancet openings, and clerestory windows above the side aisles. The square corner tower was added in 1870 to 1871, with corner buttresses and a wheel window that match those on the main block, and a tall broach spire topped with a cross.
A fire on December 31, 1872 destroyed the buildings interior, leaving only the walls and bell tower. The church went through a rebuilt and it was reopened on April 19, 1874. In 1899 a parish house was added.
The church is adjacent two other historical places in Milwaukee, the Saint James Court Apartments next door and the Central Library across the road. Both sites are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Over the years, the congregation dwindled until the church closed and the building was sold on November 30, 2017. In 2020 it reopened as a venue for weddings and other events.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Milwaukee. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
St. James Episcopal Church on Map
Sight Name: St. James Episcopal Church
Sight Location: Milwaukee, USA (See walking tours in Milwaukee)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Milwaukee, USA (See walking tours in Milwaukee)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Create Your Own Walk in Milwaukee
Creating your own self-guided walk in Milwaukee is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Tour
Milwaukee's cityscape is richly adorned with an array of historical architecture, showcasing various styles and periods that have shaped its identity. These buildings represent remarkable achievements of craftsmanship and design, reflecting the skills of their creators and the eras in which they emerged. Here, the grandeur of Richardsonian Romanesque, the opulence of Beaux-Arts, and the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Milwaukee Introduction Walking Tour
Mark Twain is said to have once humorously remarked on Milwaukee's pronunciation, saying: "Milwaukee is a beauty; I presume it is the largest in the world. They spell it Milwaukie and pronounce it Mlwaukay. Thus they have a rhyme in the middle of a word."
The city's name is derived from an Algonquian word "Millioke," which roughly translates to "Good or... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
The city's name is derived from an Algonquian word "Millioke," which roughly translates to "Good or... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour
A comprehensive exploration of the spiritual side of Milwaukee's historical landscape will open your eyes to the number of beautiful historic temples, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city's religious makeup is diverse, from Catholic to Jesuit, and there is a multitude of architectural marvels – churches and cathedrals – matching this variety.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Monuments and Statues Walking Tour
Once in Milwaukee, you may be surprised by the diverse array of monuments and statues dotting the city. Indeed, Milwaukee is home to a multitude of sculptures of different purposes, from those honoring historic figures to entertaining ones to the memorials commemorating war and its heroes.
The Leif Eriksson Statue, a striking representation of the Norse explorer, stands as a symbol of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
The Leif Eriksson Statue, a striking representation of the Norse explorer, stands as a symbol of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles