St. Brigid Center for Irish Arts and Culture

Formally the Grand Avenue Congregational Church, the structure was completed in 1888 and designed by the famous architect E. Townsand Mix. The building follows the style of Romanesque Revival, a type of architecture marked by heavy roughly hewn masonry, round arches, and decorative stonework. Milwaukee boasts several fine examples of this style among them are the Pabst Mansion, the Federal building, the Pfister hotel and many other examples. The former Congregational Church designed by Mix is unique in its design, particularly in the use of a large semicircular window. The Church was designed with a large sanctuary, which exists today. The stained glass is particularly beautiful and provides a stunning visual experience for those who enter the building. A timbered and plaster vaulted ceiling continues the medieval theme of the Romanesque revival style. In addition to this building, E. Townsend Mix designed several other buildings including Woods Vetran Home for Civil War Veterans, All Saints Episcopal Church, and the now demolished Milwaukee Road train station. In 1900, function rooms were added to the back of the Church. The current owners of the building who direct the St. Brigid center wish to conserve the historic and architectural integrity of the building. Currently, because of the historic nature of the building, wheelchair access is limited to the first floor, including the former sanctuary.