In 22 Photos: Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, was built from 1880-1882 in the Early Gothic Revival style and since 2021 been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A bronze National Register market was installed outside the church's Geneva Street entrance in 2023 and dedicated on Feb. 12, 2023 by The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Lee, Provisional Bishop of Milwaukee. Part of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, the congregation was established in 1844, four year's before Wisconsin's 1848 statehood. The stained glass windows decorating the church were largely given as memorials, with some of the windows designed by the building's architect. While the provenance of many of the windows is unknown, some are credited to the Fratu Mayer Co. of Munich, Germany; famed American artistic craftsman Louis Comfort Tiffany; and Milwaukee Mirror and Art Glass Works.
Altar area, Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Detail view of the altar area at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, showing the high altar and a portion of the communion rail.
Sanctuary at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Interior view of circa-1880 Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva, showing the church sanctuary. Roof dormer windows seen at top left and right provided illumination for worship in the years prior to electrification. The Early Gothic Revival-styled church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Circa 1883 Hook & Hastings organ at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva
Built and installed in 1883 by Boston-based organ manufacturer Hook & Hastings (1827-1935), the two manual, 11 rank mechanical action Opus 1144 pipe organ at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, remains in use today. In its day, Hook & Hastings was the premier organ building company in the United States, building more than 2,000 pipe organs over its 112-year run, many of which are still in use today. The organ at Church of the Holy Communion, originally gifted to the church on June 12, 1883 by Mrs. George Mary Delafield Sturges, was refurbished in 1969 and 2019.
Stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
This stained glass window in the sanctuary of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, is dedicated to children and depicts a child reaching out to a guardian angel for protection and guidance. The window in the circa-1880 church, donated by Henry Lord Johnson, was crafted by the enduring Mayer and Co. of Munich, Germany.
Abraham and King David stained glass windows at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva
There are numerous stained glass windows decorating Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, including these windows depicting "Father of Believers" Abraham (left), and King David, shown holding a lyre and wearing a crown, mourning the loss of his son Absolom. Abraham is depicted with the ram offered as sacrifice in place of his son, Isaac, a knife lying at his feet. The window was crafted by the enduring Mayer & Co. of Munich, Germany.
National Register of Historic Places marker at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva
The Early Gothic Revival-styled granite and limestone Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, built in 1880 and consecrated in 1882, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in association with the Wisconsin Historical Society. Church of the Holy Communion was granted National Register status in 2021. Located at 320 Broad Street in Lake Geneva at the corner of Broad and Geneva Streets, the congregation was established in 1844, four years before Wisconsin's statehood. The bronze marker, funded anonymously, was installed in 2023 outside the church's Geneva Street entrance.
Sanctuary view of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva, looking toward chancel high altar and altar rail
Interior sanctuary view of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, looking from the nave toward the chancel area with the altar rail and high altar. The church, constructed from 1880-1882, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation, part of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, was founded in 1844.
Roy Clare talking about the Hook & Hastings pipe organ at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva resident Dr. Roy Clare, a Buffalo, N.Y. native, fields questions about the circa-1883 Hook & Hastings tracker action pipe organ at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in June 2022 as part of his live weekly 9:30-11:30 a.m. guest organist performances on the instrument in conjunction with the Thursday Lake Geneva Farmers Market on the grounds of Church of the Holy Communion and neighboring Horticultural Hall, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The organ is one of the few remaining functional Hook & Hastings tracker organs in the Midwest. Clare, 97, started playing organ at age 14 and served as organist at five churches over a 60-year span. “What I love about the organ is the multiplicity of sounds you can get,” Clare said, noting the organ, restored in 2019, remains true to its original 1883 sound. “This organ is superb, any absolute gem. You can’t replace it.” Clare, who plays from memory, started the impromptu farmers market concerts 2021 and today draws nearly 100 curious music-lovers each week into the sanctuary of the Early Gothic Revival-styledcirca-1880 church. Said Clare of his inspiration, “My whole motive in doing this is getting people into the church—and it’s working.”
Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
A recently-installed National Register of Historic Places marker will be dedicated by The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, at the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva. Lee will be assisted by Rev. Liz Meade, parish rector. The Early Gothic Revival-styled granite and limestone church was built in 1880.
Geneva Street view of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Built from 1880-1882, Early Gothic Revival-styled Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The view shows the church as seen from Geneva Street. Broad Street is at far right.
"Anchor and Dove" stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
The "Dove and Anchor" stained glass window at the National Register of Historic Places-listed Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva. The window was given to the parish in 1881 in memory of Betsy William Richard.
Sanctuary High Altar stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
The sanctuary high altar stained glass window at the National Register of Historic Places-listed Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva. The window was given to the parish in 1881 in memory of Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee priest and educator Rev. James DeKoven (1831-1879), a leader of Anglican ritualism in the Episcopal Church. The longtime 1859-1879 warden of Racine-based Episcopal preparatory school and college Racine College (1852-1933), 600 21st. in Racine, DeKoven is buried on the college grounds, now operated as The DeKoven Center, a conference center, educational facility and special events venue operated by the DeKoven Foundation. A saint in the Episcopal Church, James DeKoven's feast day in the Episcopal Church is observed annually on March 22.
"Jesus Wept" stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Early Gothic Revival circa-1880 Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva, is decorated by a number of colorful stained glass windows. The "Jesus Wept" window pictured was given by Helen and Nathaniel Fairbanks to the parish in 1881 in memory of Graham Fairbanks (Jan. 28-Sept. 16, 1867).
Dual-panel stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Early Gothic Revival circa-1880 Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva, is decorated by a number of colorful stained glass windows. The left window, "He Shall Gather the Lambs with His Arm," was given in memory of Kate Louise Keyes (1873-1879). The right window, "Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven," was crafted by Mayer & Co. of Munich, Germany in 1881 and given in memory of Frances Allen and her daughter, Clara.
"Lillies" stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
The stained glass window, "Lillies," at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva. Crafted by Milwaukee Mirror and Art Glass Works, the window was dedicated on April 19, 1908, given by parishioners and their friends in memory of Rev. Isaac Marks, Jr. (1845-1907), the 13th rector of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion.
Memorial stained windows at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
A number of stained glass windows at the National Register of Historic Places-listed Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, were given as family memorials to passed loved ones. The "Blessed Are the Dead" window at left is dedicated to Dr. Phillip Maxwell and his wife, Jerusha. The window at right, bearing the inscription, "He Giveth His Beloved Sleep," was given in memory of the Maxwells' daughter, Ophelia Maxwell Walter.
Trinity Rose Window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
The stained glass Trinity Rose Window at the National Register of Historic Places-listed Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva. The three circles connected by bands form an equilateral triangle and symbolize the union of the Holy Trinity. The date of the window's installation is unknown. Major restoration work was dome on the window in 2005, funded by Dr. Charles Bower and Dr. Lloyd Evans in memory of their grandparents, Elsie Bower, Olive Schuster and Annie Wills.
Tiffany stained glass window at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
“The Darkness is Past and the True Light Now Shineth,” an unsigned Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass window at the National Register of Historic Places-listed Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva.
"Blessed are the pure in heart" stained glass windows at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
The Early Gothic Revival-styled Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, built from 1880-1882 and located at 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is decorated by a number of colorful stained glass windows. Largely hidden from view by the parish's circa-1883 Hook & Hastings pipe organ is the "Blessed are the Pure in Heart," stained glass window depicting morning glories (left) and lilies (right). Given anonymously, the window was given in memory of the children of first parish rector Rev. John McNamara (1821/1824-1885). Arriving at Church of the Holy Communion in 1850, in 1861 McNamara enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Regiment of the Union Army as a chaplain, serving the entirety of the Civil War. After the Civil War ended in 1865, McNamara briefly returned to the Church of the Holy Communion as its rector but was soon assigned to serve as a missionary priest in various towns in Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska.
Baptismal font at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
The undated three-piece carved stone baptismal font at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva. The circa-1880 Early Gothic Revival-styled church, built of native granite and limestone, is today listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is believed that the baptismal font, a memorial to Julia Floyd Sturges, was relocated from the congregation's original home in the Town of Bloomfield to the current church in Lake Geneva in 1880.
Cornerstone at Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
The cornerstone of the National Register of Historic Places-listed Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, was laid on Saints Simon and Jude's Day, Oct. 28, 1880. The Early Gothic Revival-styled church building, constructed of native granite and limestone, was built from 1880-1882 at the then-considerable cost of $12,000 - the total expense paid with the proceeds raised from 24 years of fundraising. Laid along with the cornerstone was a metal time capsule containing the Holy Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, a hymnal, lists of diocesan bishops and parish rectors and vestrymen to date, photos of parish and diocesan leaders, a list of current national, state and local leaders, the book "History of Lake Geneva," and the most recent copies of the diocesan, village and Milwaukee newspapers.
Geneva Street view of Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Built from 1880-1882, Early Gothic Revival-styled Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The view shows the church as seen from Geneva Street.
Eric Johnson
Reporter
Sunday, Feb. 12 will mark an auspicious occasion steeped 142 years in the making.
Giving thanks for “the beauty of holiness,” The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Provisional Bishop of the 48-parish Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, m…
