St. Josaphat Basilica, Milwaukee, WI, P. 2-4. CAP at Orchard Lake
St. Josaphat Basilica, Milwaukee, WI, p. 2-4. CAP at Orchard Lake. St. Josaphat Basilica, officially designated a landmark of the city of Milwaukee, is an imposing, richly ornamented Neo-Renaissance edifice. Erected between the years of 1896 and 1901, it reflects the genius of its architect-contractor, Erhard Brielmaier. The original plans for the parish church called for a brick structure trimmed with terra cotta. While these plans were in progress, the pastor of St. Josaphat Parish, the Reverend William Grutza, learned that the old Federal Building in Chicago was to be razed and that salvaged ma- terials were up for sale. Aware of the considerable savings to be realized were such salvaged materials to be used in the construction of the new church, Father Grutza arranged for their purchase for the sum of $20,000.00. This included stone for the exterior walls, polished granite columns for the front portico, massive doors, hardware, bronze railings and light fixtures, which were transported on 500 flat cars from Chicago to Milwaukee. Inspected, measured, sorted and numbered, all these materials eventually found their place in the new fabric. The challenge thrust upon the architect, however, was immense. Mr. Brielmaier was forced to scrap his plans for the original edifice and design a church to be built entirely from the available salvaged materials. The degree of his success is measured even to this day by the Basilica as it stands, a monument to his genius. The large dome of the Basilica, a facsimile of Rome's St. Peter Basilica, was constructed with a steel framework, an architectural first in our country.
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