St. Anne Catholic Church

Somerset, Wisconsin

First dedicated in 1917, this Romanesque Revival church was designed by the renowned Beaux Arts architect, Emmanuel Masqueray. The building’s interior decoration has changed over the decades, but remained more austere than what’s seen in many of the architect’s other works. In 2017, a determined group of parishioners shared their dream of elevating the interior to its deserving grandeur. After completing several critical maintenance projects, a capital campaign was launched in 2021 to fund a comprehensive restoration, ensuring that the church could be experienced the way its celebrated architect may have intended.

The restoration, executed by our team at Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. encompassed liturgical decoration, gilding, and new murals, bringing renewed artistry and sacred character to the entire space. Notably, a towering baldacchino was introduced to the apse, along with other furnishings designed by CSS.

The new apse mural depicts God the Father as the Ancient of Days and flanked by choirs of angels. This scene is accompanied by medallion murals of Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John whose role as scribes for the Word of God suggests a larger narrative. Harmonious and liturgically meaningful colors were introduced throughout, using subtle shifts in hue, value and temperature to highlight architectural features. Further, ornate stenciling throughout the ceiling and walls echoes the ornamental style of Masqueray’s other interiors, while reflecting the church’s devotions to Ann and her daughter, Mary.

The end-result is a fully reenvisioned space that aspires to more faithfully embody the transcendent beauty sought by its founders. It’s a fitting tribute to both Masqueray’s vision and the enduring devotion of the parish community.