JamesBuilt in 1892, Saint Michael Parish, on North 24th and West Cherry Street (just off Vliet), was once the center of life for Milwaukee’s German Catholic community. The neighborhood has definitely taken a downward turn in recent years, and many of the buildings that once belonged to the parish have been sold off. Sound familiar? That said, the old, gothic limestone church is standing tall and Masses are still offered here. The doors were open after the Spanish Mass on Sunday, so I went in and snapped some pictures. Apart from Sunday mornings, it’s hard to get inside, so take a look! The regrettable renovations aside (hopefully they can be undone), the church and its embellishments are still stunning.
Beautiful high altar and gothic reredos.
The painted panels, depicting scenes from the Passion, appear to have a knob or something along the sides, indicating that they could be opened…?
Picturing a Latin Mass here…
Saint Michael the Archangel perched at the top of the reredos
Side altar of the Virgin Mary
Saint Joseph side altar
Adam and Eve cast out of Eden by Saint Michael
The Nativity
Beautifully detailed Stations of the Cross
Horrible renovation: As usual, during the “spirit of Vatican II” fever, the sanctuary was extended into the nave to form a tacky stage, damaging the original integrity of the church.
