St. Josaphat's Basilica

I had to work a later shift today, so opted to take this from the roof of the parking structure on my way out. This Basilica is one of 62 minor basilicas in the U.S., features one of the largest copper domes in the world, & is a designated landmark. The parish of St. Josaphat was founded by Polish immigrants in 1888, but by 1896 they'd outgrown the church. They hired Erhard Brielmaier, the most prominent church architect of the time, to design the plans for the Basilica, which he modeled after St. Peter's in Rome. After the plans were drawn up, the parish priest learned that the Federal Building in Chicago was being razed, so he purchased 200,000 tons of salvage material for $20,000 & had it delivered to Milwaukee on 500 railroad flatcars, where parishoners were waiting to unload it & begin construction. 6 large granite columns that had graced the front of the old Federal Building, along with their ornate carved stone capitols, were added to the plans of the church so that none of the salvaged materials would go to waste, & the columns now adorn the front entrance of the Basilica. Before construction could begin, a broad hill standing 30 feet tall needed to be leveled down to the surrounding area. This huge task was completed using only man & horse power, & unskilled parishioners did most of the construction work on the Basilica under the architect's careful direction. This is truly one of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in! There are detailed oil paintings showing biblical scenes all along the walls & inner dome, ornamental plaster columns finished in gold leaf , & ornate stain glass windows. The cornerstone was placed on the 4th of July, 1897, & in July of 1901 the formal completion & dedication took place.