National Register of Historic Places

First Presbyterian Church

Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
Listed
March 19, 1973
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
73000093

About this property

First Presbyterian Church is a historic church at 716 College Avenue in Racine, Wisconsin, United States. It was built in 1852 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It was designed by Lucas Bradley. The First Presbyterian Church was among the first religious institutions to be created in Racine. The church was founded in 1839, two years prior to the official incorporation of the village of Racine. In its first years, it frequently outgrew its established meeting places: first a schoolhouse on Main Street between Second and Third Streets, then the unoccupied upper floor of the town jail. The congregation's first church building was dedicated in February 1843. In 1850 the congregation's pastor, the Reverend T.M. Hopkins, and later his successor Rev. Z.M. Humphrey, solicited funds to construct a larger house of worship on the southern edge of the city. The building's cornerstone was laid at 7th Street and College Avenue on May 6, 1851, and the finished building was dedicated June 10, 1852. The building was designed in a Greek Revival style by architect and church elder Lucas Bradley. Several women in the congregation provided room and board to the builders who constructed the church. The total cost of construction was totaled at $10,600, on top of the $1,200 paid for the land. The church holds 156 pews, 138 on the ground floor and 18 in the balcony. A bell was added to the tower in 1855, which doubled as the city's fire alarm. The church's current organ was purchased in 1886. Media related to First Presbyterian Church (Racine, Wisconsin) at Wikimedia Commons

Location

716 College Ave.
Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
42.72555, -87.78532

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Racine County Courthouse
Industrial
0.1 mi
Rickeman Grocery Building
Industrial
0.1 mi
Historic Sixth Street Business District
Early Republic
0.1 mi
Young Men's Christian Association Building
Industrial
0.1 mi
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Chapel, Guildhall, and Rectory
Industrial
0.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was First Presbyterian Church listed on the National Register?

First Presbyterian Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 19, 1973.

What type of historic resource is First Presbyterian Church?

First Presbyterian Church is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for First Presbyterian Church?

The period of significance for First Presbyterian Church is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near First Presbyterian Church?

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