Art and Architecture

Church of the Gesu under construction, Winter 1893

Gesu is neo-Gothic in design. The pointed arches and ribbed-grained vaults, so beautiful in the Renaissance prototype, add their glory and strength to the building, rising above a bustling 21st century city.
Prominent Milwaukee architect Henry C. Koch, a native of Hanover, Germany, conceived and designed the church, taking many cues from his memories of the "Old World." He, together with his son Armand, drew plans for many other notable Milwaukee structures, including City Hall, Calvary Presbyterian Church (the "red church" across 10th Street and I-43 from Gesu), and various buildings at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Gesu's majestic appearance is enhanced by a sweeping 150' of footage along Wisconsin Avenue, and is flanked by two towers; one 250' in height, the other 215'. Between the two towers is the main gable, ornamented by a magnificent rose window.

Entrance to the Upper Church is made through a extended portico, the front of which is composed of three gothic arches supported by clusters of four granite columns. The arches and walls are richly ornamented in Bedford stone. Behind the arches is a set of stairs 48' wide. The Upper Church is also accessed by the doors to the west of the portico, where the elevator is located, or by the east and west transept doors. The Lower Church can be reached via the doors to either side of the portico, or by the doors at each transept.

The Gesu Parish Center is a brick structure located south of the church building. An elevated bridge connects the second floor of the Parish Center to the Upper Church sacristy. The Parish Center began its life as the Marquette College of Engineering. Later it housed the Graduate School, Teatro Maria, and the university bookstore in the lower level.

The Gesu Parish Center

When the Gesu Jesuit Community was established as separate from the Marquette Jesuit Community, the upper levels of what is now the Parish Center were converted into a residence for the Jesuit pastors, with the administrative offices of the parish located on the main and lower levels. With the suspension of the Gesu Jesuit community, the second floor rooms have gradually been turned into staff office spaces, with the third floor containing storage rooms, the library and a living room.