James at Cream City visits Old St. Mary's in Milwaukee

Few churches in Milwaukee rival Old Saint Mary Parish in terms of beauty. Built in 1847, it is the oldest Catholic church in the city. Step inside and you’ll see why it’s such a treasure.

Symbolizing heaven, the sanctuary shines in gold, as angels peer down from the walls. I love the ornate high altar and painting of the Annunciation. The ray of light emanating from the Father and the Holy Spirit, who is descending on the Virgin Mary, immediately draws one’s gaze to a focal point. Old Saint Mary is not a very big church and so, with all the gold, statues and stained glass windows, you feel totally immersed in a pocket of beauty in the middle of a busy and noisy downtown.

continue at Cream City Catholic

On this side of the state we just don't have churches like this.  The first Catholic church in La Crosse was razed years ago, there just isn't the same sense to preserve these gems.  Some of the country churches do still stand(the ridge) but in any of the larger cities in this diocese anyway there just wasn't a sense of preservation.  It was the same case with secular buildings as well, the old post office in La Crosse was a beautiful building but was replaced with a mundane, utilitarian facility some years ago.  My hope is when secular architectural sensibilities return, that it will seep into Catholic sensibilities as well.

The Original

no amount of half dead trees can cover up the ugly. 

IIMB: St. Anne Street Shrine at Old St. Mary in Milwaukee

On a beautiful autumn Sunday afternoon, following the 11:30 am Mass, a group of about 150 people processed behind the Saint Anne Society of Old St. Mary Parish and Fr. Tim Kitzke for the unveiling and dedication of a new Saint Anne Street Shrine that looks out from the parish offices on Milwaukee Street upon all who pass by the downtown neighborhood.

Especially poignant is the fact that a "gentleman's" strip club had been trying to purchase a building across the street from the parish office but their license was denied by a 15-0 vote of the city's aldermen. I'm sure that the prayerful efforts of Fr. Tim Kitzke and the parishioners of Old St. Mary, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary and St. Anne, had a lot to do with that decision.

Regarding the shrine, Fr. Tim pointed out that the Virgin Mary in St. Anne's arms is looking back toward the parish and St. Anne is looking out to the city, modeling her strength and dignity as a woman for all of Milwaukee. The Shrine will sanctify the city and be a blessing to all those who walk past the parish.

What follows below is the wonderful and moving introduction and blessing given by Fr. Tim during the dedication of the shrine:

continue at Imprisoned in my Bones

RoaminCatholicChurches: Old St. Mary's, Milwaukee

A new series for the blog while I'm getting larger posts ready. Have a church that you want featured on the blog? Email me suggestions at roamincatholicchurches@gmail.com. Attach a postcard-worthy photo that I can include in the post too please!

continue at Roamin' Catholic Churches

I did find some archive photos back in the day here.

And then it seems I forced Virginia into getting some more recent photographs.  We were much more fanatic back in those days it would seem.

Old St. Mary's, Milwaukee, Take Two

Matt posted pictures back in January of Old St. Mary's Church in Milwaukee. He wondered if the church still looked the same. Since I live in walking distance, and was finally home this weekend, I stopped in and captured pictures. This is a beautiful church (I do wonder, though, what lies beneath that lovely blue carpet). Enjoy!

The exterior is the same.

Clock was right on time. 

Communion rail remains as well.

The old confessionals?

Old St. Mary's, Milwaukee, WI

Library of Congress

History - Built 1846-1847, rebuilt 1866, most important of several interior renovations in 1893.  Except for a small wooden chapel, this is the oldest church in Milwaukee.

Architectural character: Classically inspired composition with lofty bell-tower and details (heavy projecting pediments etc.) strongly suggestive of German inspiration.

Architect: The architect for the original building is unknown. However, Victor Schulte who v/as the architect for the 1866 rebuilding of the church may also have been the architect for the original building.

I could not find any current pictures to compare against, but they do have a parish website.  So why it is called "Old"?  Is there a new St. Marys?  Has any of the interior survived?

As beautiful as Gothic churches can be, I find a church like this (round = "classical"?) more appealing.