Church of the Gesu
Church of the Gesu

Church of the Gesu Liturgical Renovation

Church of the Gesu Liturgical Renovation

Architectural/liturgical renew in historic setting

Architectural/liturgical renew in historic setting

LOCATION

Milwaukee, WI

YEAR

2025

CLIENT

Church of the Gesu

PARTNERS

The 1893 French Revival church is a beautiful space. Last renovated after the Second Vatican Council, the worship needed updates to interiors, lighting, seating, audio technology and accessibility. Most notable is the addition of an Immersion Font at the start of the main aisle, the provision for a new Ambry proximate to the Font, and the restoration of the Tabernacle to its original location at the end of the main axis. Also significant are provisions for accessibility to the Altar platform.

Original marble communion rails are being re-purposed as the walls of ADA compliant ramps on both sides of the sanctuary, bringing the building to current access expectations without sacrificing the historic character of the worship.

While Conrad Schmitt Studios undertook painting the entire space, GDG coordinated to replace seating and flooring. The seating will be consistent with the original pew layout and restored to more original styles. Easy to care for porcelain tile flooring will replace vinyl tile.

GDG also re-visioned the entry stairs at the main entry to improve safety, heighten elegance and allow more area for worshipers to stand at the top of the entry steps.

Ambry and Immersion Font
Immersion Font and Worship
Immersion Font
Ramp to Sanctuary
Ramp to Sanctuary
Redesigned Grand Entry Staircase

PHOTOGRAPHY

Tricia Shay Photography