St. Mary's of the Visitation (1930)

	Located at the corner of Fourth and Court Street, St. Mary's is the newest of the monumental stone buildings around Central Park. It was designed in 1930 by Dubuque architect C.I. Krajewski in the popular Late Gothic Revival style. The style was based on that used in the Medieval period for churches across Europe. The most identifiable architectural detail of this style is the use of the pointed Gothic (or lancet) arch. In this country the Gothic Revival style was first popular in the 1840s-60s for residences as well as for churches. The style never really fell out of favor for ecclesiastical design, but it experienced a re-birth in the first decades of the 20th century when it became popular for collegiate architecture as well. St. Mary's is a fine example of the style featuring as asymmetrical facade with corner tower. The main entrance is on Fourth Street, with side entries on Court. The exterior is of ashlar blocks of Bedford limestone. Another major element of Gothic design is the use of buttresses. These pillars of stone are attached to the building exterior to provide additional support as the walls extend higher and higher. Butresses can be seen at the corners of the tower, and will be found on other corners of the church as well as along the side walls. The higher the buttress, the narrower the pillar becomes. Each segment has a slope at the top as it becomes narrower.
Detail of top of tower	The bell tower is square in shape, with two Gothic arched openings on each side near the top, allowing the bell to be heard. Stone tracery is found in the top of these arches with louvers below. The top of the tower is crenellated, with finals on three of the corners, and a copper covered lantern and cross on the other. Copper was used throughout the building, but is most visible on the bell tower, and on the gutters.
Side view of facade	This photograph shows two different buttresses (one tall and one short) and a copper gutter. Copper takes on a green patina with age.
Main Entrance	The main portal (entrance) facing Fourth Street is deeply recessed within the Gothic arched opening (visually a series of arches decreasing in size). Originally the double wooden entry doors would have matched the tympanum area above the inset panels, but these doors were replaced to meet fire code. Take note of the carving, not just in the entry but above and on both sides as well.
Detail of the stonework in arch	Each of the five panels bears a different symbol of Christianity.
Detail of stonework on left side of arch	The vertical elements characteristic of Gothic design are seen in these carved forms. Note the foliage on the center portion of the shaft. At the bottom is a small carved fleur-de-lis.
Detail of fleur-de-lis	The fleur-de-lis is a stylized representation of the lily, a symbol of purity. For this reason the fleur-de-lis is often used as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. It is appropriate that it be used on each side of the front doors of St. Mary's of the Visitation.
Cornerstone	This cornerstone is located on the facade, just to the left of the entrance. It has a representation of the cross on a shield, and an inscription and date in Latin.
Court Street entrance	Although this side entrance is smaller than that on Fourth Street, it too is deeply recessed within the Gothic arch. Like the front doors, the original has been replaced by a door meeting fire code. The arch to the left appears to have always been a blind arch with a window rather than a door.
Identification panel above doors	Above the Court Street entrance is a carved panel bearing the name "Saint Marys" in flowing Gothic script. Again, the symbol of the Virgin is used with a foliated panel containing a fleur-de-lis on each side of the name.
Window with stone cross	Christian symbols are found in a number of places on the exterior. Here is a stone cross set within a window frame.
Stained glass window	Although this window has protective covering, you can still see the stone tracery creating the smaller panels of the window. Note also, there is a stone buttress on each side of the window.
Interior toward alter	On the interior, elements of the Gothic Revival style are readily apparent. The floor plan of this church is one that has been used for Christian churches for centuries. It is long and narrow, with wings on each side near the altar area creating the shape of the cross. This plan has a narthex (entrance area just inside the front doors), a nave with side aisles (the area for the congregation), transcept (the side wings), and altar area. This photograph is taken from just inside the narthex doors looking down the center aisle toward the altar. The interior walls are not of stone, but are of tannish-brown brick which is highlighted by inset carved stone panels. A large Gothic arch at the far end signals the beginning of the altar area, while the large arches on each side separate the nave from the transcept wings. Smaller Gothic arches along the side walls separate the nave from the side aisles. Three tall slender Gothic arched stained glass windows are located in the wall above the altar. The flooring is terrazzo in the aisles and chancel (altar) area, with maple flooring in the pew areas. The altar of St. Mary's (like that in most Roman Catholic churches) was altered and simplified following Vatican II.
Side wall	This photograph shows the arches defining the side aisles, and the large stained glass clerestory windows above. Clerestory windows are located high on a wall and allow daylight to shine down into the church (like light from Heaven). All of the stained glass windows are original to the church and were created by Emil Frei Incorporated of St. Louis. These windows along both sides of the nave represent different saints. Notice the hanging lights.
Detail of light fixture	The light fixtures were part of the original plan of the church and were designed and made by the Beardslee Chandelier Company of Chicago, Illinois. These have been carefully cleaned and restored. Notice the colorful detail of the stained glass just to the left of the light. It is somewhat unusual to be able to identify all of the various artists and craftsmen who were involved with a large building like this. The members of St. Mary's kept very complete records concerning the construction of their new church.
Ceiling	This photograph shows the massive wooden ceiling trusses that cover the nave. Notice the ornate paint pattern on both the trusses and the ceiling panels.
Side wall	The side aisles are separated from the nave by the Gothic arches. This photograph shows the different colors of brick used on the interior.
	The side aisles are lighted by narrow stained glass windows. Stations of the Cross flank these windows.
Confessional	A confessional is located on each side wall, near the altar area. Note that these have elaborately carved wooden Gothic arched doors, with a Gothic arched screen above.
View of transcept	This shows the east side wing which forms the transcept of the church. It contains two of the large stained glass windows featuring saints. Smaller Gothic arches form niches for statues, and lead into hallways.
View toward back of church	This view from the altar area looking toward the front door shows the balcony above the narthex which houses the choir loft and pipe organ. Note the huge stained glass window. On the outside, this is the window you see above the front entrance. The pointed arches of the Gothic style are seen throughout the interior.

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