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Historical Churches Walking Tour, Milwaukee

Historical Churches Walking Tour (Self Guided), Milwaukee

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.

Among the venerable institutions that grace Milwaukee's ecclesiastical pantheon, St Paul's Episcopal Church emerges as an embodiment of Gothic splendor.

The Cathedral Church of All Saints, a bastion of Anglican tradition, beckons the faithful and the curious alike with its regal facade and solemn aura.

In the heart of this constellation stands the neoclassical Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, a testament to architectural prowess and divine devotion.

The enduring testament to the city's Catholic heritage, the Old Saint Mary Church features a spartan yet poignant design that echoes the simplicity of devotion.

The annals of Milwaukee's religious past find expression in the walls of St James Episcopal Church, while the Calvary Presbyterian Church, a bastion of Protestant identity, stands tall with its proud architectural bearing. Its austere elegance speaks of a faith founded on simplicity and sincerity, an ideal mirrored in its stately design.

Gesu Church, a living testament to Jesuit devotion and architectural elegance, captivates the discerning eye with its Gothic-style aesthetics.

Finally, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, a paragon of German heritage, represents an emblem of spiritual continuity. Its stone facade and meticulous craftsmanship encapsulate the dedication of a community bound by faith and culture.

All these hallowed edifices stand as silent sentinels of time, each brick and arch bearing witness to the faithful congregations that once gathered within their sacred confines. If you are a seeker of heritage and wisdom, venture forth and immerse yourself in the embrace of Milwaukee's historical churches – for within their walls, the past comes alive to guide our present and inspire our future.
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Historical Churches Walking Tour Map

Guide Name: Historical Churches Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Milwaukee (See other walking tours in Milwaukee)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Author: StaceyP
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • St. Paul's Episcopal Church
  • Cathedral Church of All Saints
  • The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
  • Old Saint Mary Church
  • St. James Episcopal Church
  • Calvary Presbyterian Church
  • Gesu Church
  • Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
1
St. Paul's Episcopal Church

1) St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, built in 1884, stands as one of Milwaukee’s most architecturally and historically significant landmarks. Designed by noted local architect Edward Townsend Mix in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the church is constructed of dark red Lake Superior sandstone sourced from near the Apostle Islands. It’s also adorned with wrought iron details crafted by renowned blacksmith Cyril Colnik, enhancing its historic grandeur.

Founded in 1838, Saint Paul’s is Milwaukee’s oldest Episcopal parish and the third established in Wisconsin. Located in the affluent east-side neighborhood of Juneautown, it quickly rose to prominence as the spiritual home of many of the city’s elite. Its influence extended well beyond its walls—members of the congregation helped establish Milwaukee’s Forest Home Cemetery, intended to be a peaceful resting ground outside the city’s expanding limits. Today, it remains the burial site of many of Milwaukee’s most notable early residents.

The church is best known for its stunning stained glass windows. It houses the largest collection of Tiffany stained glass in Wisconsin, including the largest single Tiffany window ever created—a monumental work based on Gustave Doré’s Christ Leaving the Praetorium, measuring 30 feet wide and 24 feet high. The window, up to two inches thick in places, reflects the scale and craftsmanship that have made Saint Paul’s a destination for admirers of sacred art and design.

Its design is believed to have been inspired by an unbuilt plan by Henry Hobson Richardson, published in the Architectural Sketch Book in 1873. Saint Paul’s received official recognition for its cultural and architectural value when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Milwaukee Landmark in the early 1970s. It was also documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1969.

Today, Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church remains a vital part of Milwaukee’s architectural and spiritual heritage—a rich blend of artistry, community, and history.
2
Cathedral Church of All Saints

2) Cathedral Church of All Saints

The Cathedral Church of All Saints in Milwaukee is a historic Episcopal landmark rooted in the city’s religious and architectural heritage. The cathedral originated in 1867 when Bishops Jackson Kemper and William Armitage took over a small mission church in downtown Milwaukee. By 1868, it relocated to Juneau Avenue, occupying a former boarding house, and in 1872, it acquired a church building from the bankrupt Olivet Congregational Church.

Designed by prominent architect E. Townsend Mix in the Gothic Revival style, the church emulates 15th-century English parish churches, with a cream city brick façade, limestone trim, and striking perpendicular-style tracery. The most dominant exterior feature is a square bell tower and spire rising nearly 200 feet, housing a bronze bell cast in 1867 and still tuned to A. Interestingly, the steeple cross was repositioned during 1950s renovations, now tilted slightly toward Lake Michigan.

Consecrated as a cathedral in 1898, All Saints served as the seat of the Diocese of Milwaukee until the diocesan merger of 2024, which unified it with Fond du Lac and Eau Claire into the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin. Today, it functions as a cathedral parish, continuing its ecclesiastical role while embracing a liturgy in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.

Inside, the cathedral features richly carved woodwork, including a bishop’s throne originally gifted by William White to Bishop Kemper—an enduring symbol of apostolic succession. The Sienna marble altar and triptych, crafted in Italian Gothic style by Eugene W. Mason, Jr., adds elegance to the sanctuary. Most stained-glass windows, created by the esteemed Lavers and Westlake of London, reflect the building’s historic and aesthetic value.

With a small but active congregation of around 250 members, All Saints remains a spiritual and architectural beacon—listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Milwaukee City Landmark since 1973.
3
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

3) The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

The Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee and stands as one of the city's most historic landmarks. Located just east of Cathedral Square Park, this striking structure was originally completed in 1852 and is one of the oldest buildings in the city of Milwaukee. Designed in the German Renaissance Revival style by architect Victor Schulte, the cathedral was constructed using the city’s iconic Cream City brick and reflects the influence of the 19th-century Zopfstil style—a more restrained alternative to Baroque opulence.

Saint John’s parish, founded in 1837, was Milwaukee’s first Roman Catholic congregation. Initially, the community worshiped at nearby Saint Peter’s Church until Archbishop John Henni purchased land in 1844 and raised funds for a new cathedral. The cornerstone was laid in 1847, and by 1852, the church was complete and dedicated to John the Evangelist.

The original steeple, designed by Schulte, topped a three-stage tower whose base remains today. In 1893, the upper section was replaced with a more ornate design by Ferry and Clas. A major fire in 1935 destroyed much of the cathedral, sparing only the tower. After restoration, it reopened for midnight mass in 1942.

Today, the cathedral is noted for its 13 hand-cut stained glass windows by the T.C. Esser Company, designed by Erhardt Stoettner. A marble baptismal font and tomb-shaped pool form a focal point in the sanctuary. In 2001, a peaceful gated garden and atrium were added to the north side of the building.

Recognized as a Milwaukee Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1997—a testament to its enduring place in the spiritual and architectural fabric of the city.
4
Old Saint Mary Church

4) Old Saint Mary Church

Old Saint Mary's Church is the oldest church building in Milwaukee. The original structure was built in 1847 from a design by Prussian architect Victor Schulte. It was designed in the Zopfstil style, a traditional German architecture. The interior was redecorated after a fire in 1893, but the exterior still stands very much as it did right after the 1867 remodeling, two years after the Civil War. A painting of the Annunciation behind the altar by Franz Xavier Glink was donated by King Ludwig I of Bavaria.

The church's tower gained a clock in 1860 and three bells in 1868. These bronze bells were cast in Munich. Saint Mary's was modified fairly extensively from 1866 to 1867, again under direction of Victor Schulte. The east end was extended and the west facade was reworked, with a new spire added in 1866.

This church has since become the basis for a number of other church buildings in the city due to its clean lines and reflection of the community. Those on walking tours may also stop by the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist and Cathedral Square Park. Both of these spots are within two easily walkable blocks of the Old Saint Mary's church. The church is also near Milwaukee City Hall. It is only three blocks east of the Milwaukee River.

The Old Saint Mary Church continues to hold services on Sundays as well as daily mass Monday through Friday. The church is also open for confession on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Visitors are welcome to attend church service or explore the church grounds.
5
St. James Episcopal Church

5) St. James Episcopal Church

Saint James’ Episcopal Church in Milwaukee is a striking example of Gothic Revival architecture and one of the city’s oldest surviving stone churches. Originally built between 1867 and 1868, it was designed by Detroit architect Gordon William Lloyd and constructed with Wauwatosa limestone. The building features hallmark elements of the English Gothic style: tall lancet windows, clerestory lighting, and a square tower crowned with a broach spire and cross. The tower, completed in 1871, mirrors the main block’s design with its buttresses and decorative wheel window.

The church’s story begins earlier, in 1850 when it was founded as a mission of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. The following year, the parish acquired land that had once been Kilbourntown’s Spring Street Burying Ground—the first cemetery on Milwaukee’s west side. Early members included notable figures like Increase Lapham, who hosted the first service in his store, and Alexander Mitchell, who served on the building committee.

On New Year’s Eve in 1872, a fire gutted the church interior, sparing only the stone walls and bell tower. Restoration was swift, and the church reopened by April 1874. Later, in 1899, a parish house was added, designed by architect John Moller.

Saint James’ Episcopal Church stood as an active parish for over 150 years but saw its congregation gradually decline. Its final service was held on November 1, 2017. In 2020, the historic building found new life as an elegant venue for weddings and events.

Located across from Milwaukee’s Central Library and next to the Saint James Court Apartments—both listed on the National Register of Historic Places—the former church remains a cherished architectural and historical landmark in the city.
6
Calvary Presbyterian Church

6) Calvary Presbyterian Church

Calvary Presbyterian Church, also known simply as Calvary Church, is a striking example of Victorian Gothic architecture in the heart of Milwaukee. Located in the Marquette University district, this historic church has stood since 1870 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986.

Calvary Church was founded in 1869 by members of Milwaukee’s First and North Presbyterian congregations who wanted a church closer to the city’s west side. Among its founding officers were notable businessmen John Plankinton, James B. Bradford, and Samuel C. West. The building was designed by local architects Henry C. Koch and Julius Hess and constructed by a team of prominent artisans, including builder Simeon Babcock and mason Hiram R. Bond.

Architecturally, the church is a Gothic Revival masterpiece. Built on a limestone foundation, its body features Milwaukee’s signature cream city brick—now painted bright red—accented with Ohio sandstone. The structure is flanked by two dramatic towers: one reaching 105 feet with a pressed metal spire, and the other an impressive 202 feet with a slate-clad spire. Between them, a large rose window crowns the main entrance, inviting worshippers and visitors alike.

Over time, the church has seen several additions and restorations. In 1910, a pastor’s study and office were added, and following a fire in 1947, repairs were made to the nave and roof. A classroom wing was added in 1957. Inside, one of the church’s most unique features is its indoor prayer labyrinth, modeled after the medieval design at France’s Cathedral of Chartres, with eleven circuits and a rosette center.

Today, Calvary Presbyterian Church remains one of Milwaukee’s oldest continuously used church buildings and one of its best-preserved post-Civil War Gothic structures. It continues to serve both as a place of worship and a testament to the city’s religious and architectural heritage.
7
Gesu Church

7) Gesu Church

Gesu Church is a historic Jesuit parish in Milwaukee, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese but partnered with Marquette University since 1991 to serve its downtown campus and neighborhood. Founded in 1849 as Saint Gall's Parish, it originally served Irish Catholic immigrants in Milwaukee’s Tory Hill area. After a merger with Holy Name Church, the parish was renamed Gesu in 1893, honoring the Church of the Gesu in Rome—the burial place of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

The cornerstone was laid before a crowd of 20,000 on May 23, 1893, and the church was dedicated in December 1894. Designed by architect Henry C. Koch, the church's French Gothic architecture draws inspiration from the Cathedral of Chartres and includes two asymmetrical spires, a rose window, and intricate stained glass. Notably, the granite columns inside—donated by Harriet L. Cramer—are considered unique in the U.S.

Today, Gesu Church holds daily Mass and draws more than 2,500 attendees each weekend. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been a Milwaukee Landmark since 1975. Over the years, it has hosted notable figures such as actor Pat O’Brien and held significant events, including the 1954 funeral of Fred Miller, president of the Miller Brewing Company.
8
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

8) Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church stands as one of Milwaukee’s most significant historic landmarks, both architecturally and spiritually. Completed in 1878, the Cream City brick church was hailed at the time as “the finest church edifice within the Missouri Synod.” Designed by architect Frederick Velguth in a striking blend of High Victorian and German Gothic styles, the cruciform structure features soaring spires, lancet windows, and a commanding 200-foot steeple that remains a city landmark. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a designated State Historic Site, and has held Milwaukee Landmark status since 1967.

The congregation was founded in 1847 by German immigrants from Pomerania, many seeking refuge from religious restrictions imposed by the Prussian state. After early ties to the Buffalo Synod, disputes prompted Trinity to seek a pastor from the Missouri Synod. Rev. E.G.W. Keyl’s leadership shaped the church’s structure and policies, contributing to the eventual formation of the Wisconsin Synod.

The church’s ornate interior includes hand-carved woodwork by the Wollaeger Brothers and a goblet-shaped pulpit. Its centerpiece is a historic 1879 Schuelke pipe organ with 1,600 pipes, recognized by the Organ Historical Society.

In 2005–2006, Trinity expanded with a new office and conference building. However, tragedy struck on May 15, 2018, when a fire during renovation caused catastrophic damage, including the collapse of the roof and one steeple. Despite $17 million in damage and the loss of much of the interior—including severe harm to the Schuelke organ—investigators found the brick structure intact. Restoration efforts began, and services were temporarily relocated to the Krause Funeral Home chapel.

Today, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church remains a resilient symbol of Milwaukee’s German heritage, architectural grandeur, and Lutheran legacy.

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