Trinity was originally built in 1878 and was the first Lutheran congregation to join the Missouri Synod in Wisconsin making it a historical building as well as a landmark in the city of Milwaukee. Trinity suffered a massive fire in 2018 that destroyed its entire interior sanctuary, roof, and lower steeple. This was a restoration project to bring this historic chapel back to its original state.
MAJOR CHALLENGE:
Replicating the original design architecturally as well as its acoustic performance. The restoration didn’t necessarily need to include plaster, but it was important to the church that the organ’s sound resonated in the sanctuary like it did in the past, so the walls and ceilings required the density of plaster. Radius Track Corporation was brought on board to help design and prefabricate the intricate cathedral ceilings and gothic arches. With limited local plaster tradesmen and an abundance of plaster work already required with all the cast-in-place quarter and half rounds, we incorporated multiple layers of drywall with a plaster finish for most of the walls and ceilings in lieu of traditional lath and plaster. Olympics’ tradesmen were proudly able to restore Trinity’s beautiful ornate architecture, and we all look forward to hearing the new organ resonate in the sanctuary when its installed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Location:
Milwaukee, WI
Scope of Contract:
Cold-Formed Metal Framing, Exterior Sheathing, Linear Metal Ceilings, GFRG, EIFS, Air and Vapor Barrier and Spray Foam.
Architect:
Eppstein Uhen Architects
General Contractor:
Gilbane | Smith Wisconsin Center Expansion, a Joint Venture