St. Francis Borgia

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

What began as a humble log cabin chapel in 1844 grew into the enduring stone church completed in 1870 that stands today as St. Francis Borgia’s South Church in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Conrad Schmitt Studios was honored to contribute to the interior restoration and decoration of this historic church, helping to renew its beauty while respecting the layers of history that have shaped it.

Over time, the church’s interior underwent a series of alterations that diminished its original architectural and artistic character. In 1942, the reredos altars were removed, and the communion rail was taken out during a later renovation. The building itself narrowly escaped demolition in the 1960s, when parish growth prompted plans for a larger worship space. Though ultimately rejected, these proposals underscored the vulnerability of the historic structure and the importance of its preservation.

Planning for the interior renovation began in 2018, shortly after Fr. Burns arrived at the parish. Initially envisioned as a more modest effort, the project expanded as parish enthusiasm and support grew. A successful capital campaign made it possible to pursue a more comprehensive restoration, allowing the full vision for the space to be realized. Interior work on the South Church began in April 2024.

The restoration was guided by the need to support the church’s ongoing liturgical use while reestablishing a sense of architectural and artistic integrity. Conrad Schmitt Studios’ work focused on restoring the original beauty of the interior through historically informed design, craftsmanship, and materials, resulting in a cohesive and reverent worship environment.

The scope of work included new liturgical decoration and the restoration and installation of new high and side altars. The Altars were thoughtfully salvaged from the 1880s Lake Church in Belgium, Wisconsin. These elements reintroduce traditional forms and visual richness to the sanctuary while reinforcing its liturgical hierarchy. As for the completed interior decorative finishes and replaced flooring throughout the church, they serve to unify the space and enhance its sense of warmth, order, and permanence.

Through this restoration, Conrad Schmitt Studios helped return St. Francis Borgia’s South Church to a place of beauty, reverence, and architectural clarity. The renewed interior honors the church’s historic legacy while ensuring it remains a dignified and inspiring setting for worship for generations to come.