Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Luther Memorial Chapel

Claude and Starck, Architects

— 1914-1915 —

Luther Memorial Chapel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 22, 2013

1. Luther Memorial Chapel Marker

Inscription. This limestone chapel was designed by the prolific Madison architectural firm of Claude and Starck in the Elizabethan Revival style. The building's asymmetrical design features a monumentally scaled entrance and a ribbon of Tudor-arched windows at the first and second stories. The building is also significant for its association with the religious history of the community as the first Protestant church in the city to purposefully serve the student population by locating close to campus, and also as the first Lutheran church in Madison to conduct all services in English.

Designated October 15, 2002

Erected 2013 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 149.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1863.

Location. 43° 4.404′ N, 89° 23.82′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is at the intersection of University Avenue and Lake Street, on the right when traveling west on University Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 626 University Avenue, Madison WI 53703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker: Grimm Book Bindery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); University Presbyterian Church and Student Center (about 600 feet away); Born in Madison, the Wisconsin Idea changed the nation (about 700 feet away); 9XM - WHA (approx. 0.2 miles away); State Historical Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Armory & Gymnasium (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Grand Experiment (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Living Room for Campus (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Luther Memorial Chapel. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "The Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Madison commissioned this building as a chapel for UW students in 1914. Claude and Starck executed a small but excellent Elizabethan Revival design at a time when the firm was designing primarily in the Prairie School style. The building features Tudor-arched windows and entry, and full height, polygonal stone-clad pilasters derived from castellated and fortified houses of Tudor-period England."

Additional keywords. architecture

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 22, 2013

2. Luther Memorial Chapel Marker

The marker is just to the left of the near corner of the building, under the Quick Mart sign.

Luther Memorial Chapel aka The Church Key image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 22, 2013

3. Luther Memorial Chapel aka The Church Key

In Wisconsin, at least, a "church key" is a humorous name for the beer can openers that were required before pop tops were invented.

The Church Key at Night image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, September 21, 2013

4. The Church Key at Night

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2013, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 669 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2013, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.