About Our Building

The congregation first met in the homes of its members. But as we grew, we began gathering for Worship in the local schoolhouse. In 1844, we purchased land at the intersection of Grand and Wisconsin Avenues from Morris Cutler and began building the frame. Completed in 1872, the Victorian-Gothic style building was constructed of rock-faced Waukesha limestone.

Attenuated buttresses accentuate the pointed arch windows which light the sanctuary. The design, dominated by the steeple, is set diagonally to the body of the church and framing the entrance. The sanctuary stands without columns, but features decorative hammer beam trusses which enliven the ceiling, drawing the eye upward, and accenting the verticality of the design. Carved fleur de lis, symbols of the lily and the Trinity, grace the building’s exterior and are echoed in the hammer beam trusses and the stained glass windows. The window designs also include grapevines symbolizing the blood of Christ, and oak leaves representing steadfastness, glory, and endurance against adversity. The north wall of the sanctuary is further decorated by a large rose window, a symbol of the sun.

The church is a local landmark and is recognized as a significant example of both the Victorian Gothic architecture and the creative talent of E. Townsend Mix. An addition made to the church and later construction of the education building in 1958 were carefully planned to not detract from the strength and grace of the original edifice.

About Our Organ

The Skinner pipe organ was purchased in 1976 from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln , Nebraska , where it had been installed in 1926. A group from FBC traveled to Lincoln , dismantled the organ, carefully marked and packed all of the pieces, and loaded it into a semi-trailer provided and driven by a member. When it arrived in Waukesha , the organ was met and unloaded by over 70 members and friends of FBC.   A smaller group of members and friends worked for almost two years to reassemble and install the organ. The organ now has 2716 pipes.