St. Josaphat Basilica in Milwaukee is one of several Catholic churches in the Great Lakes and middle Atlantic regions designed in the “Polish Cathedral Architectural Style.” They tend to be large, ornate and served Polish immigrants. This one, built in 1901, was patterned after Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica. The church was built using stones from the demolished Chicago Federal Building. It is crowned by a massive cooper dome. Pope Pius XI designated it as a minor basilica in 1929. St. Josaphat is managed by the Franciscan Friars.
