Madison is the capital of Wisconsin. It’s not the biggest city in the state; that honor goes to Milwaukee. But Madison has something that Milwaukee doesn’t — the University of Wisconsin. Madison has been named the #1 college sports town in the nation by Sports Illustrated on Campus. College sports reign. Madison is also known for being politically liberal, which hasn’t prevented some beautiful churches from being built.

Freedom From Religion Foundation

The FFRF calls Madison its home. The nonprofit organization promotes separation of church and state. Freethought Hall, the downtown office center, is an interesting building with over 150 years of history. It’s one of the oldest buildings in downtown. The structure was built in 1855 as a family home. In the 1880s, it served as a rectory. The building was a commercial office center until FFRF purchased it in 1990. FFRF renovated the building to make it more usable and to add space. It’s a gorgeous building without a mortgage or loans because the entire cost of the expansion was covered by fundraising and reserve accounts.

Gates of Heaven Synagogue

This Jewish synagogue is the eighth oldest synagogue building still standing in the US. In 1970, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The architect used a distinctive German style. It was built in 1863. The city saved the historic building from the wrecking ball by moving it to its current site. It’s a beautiful building that has served as a synagogue, a Lutheran Church, a funeral home and a Scientist church.

Luther Memorial Chapel

This Elizabethan Revival–style building served as a chapel for university students. It’s very reminiscent of Tudor-style homes and castles with its arched windows and entry. Claude and Starck, the architectural firm, did a lot of designs in the Prairie School–style during the time the chapel was built. It’s somewhat of an anomaly.

Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church and School

The German Catholics organized this parish in 1846. This building was completed in 1869, replacing the original church built on the site. It’s built in the Romanesque Revival style using native sandstone. The steeple was a later addition, along with the bells, stained glass windows and clock. The building fostered vocations to the priesthood in its early years. Today, the building is well-used by the congregation.

St. Patrick Church

Holy Redeemer was the first Catholic Church in Madison, but it primarily served the German-speaking community. The community realized that it needed a Catholic Church for its English-speaking residents on the east side of town. The new parish was named for St. Patrick. It’s interesting to note that the church only had three priests in its first 96 years. It took the first priest about one year to raise the church. On St. Patrick’s Day 1889, the church was dedicated. The same architect who designed Holy Redeemer designed this church. It’s done in the Romanesque Revival style. The original building hasn’t changed much since it was completed.

Grace Episcopal Church

This landmark has stood in Madison since 1855, designed by James Douglas, who was a noted Milwaukee society architect. It was styled in the Gothic Revival theme. Although an interior renovation was done in 1885, it retained many of the original features. The red doors stand out under the pointed arch of the building, which is one of the most prominent elements in Gothic Revival architecture. The stained-glass window in the baptistery was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural and religious significance. The congregation itself was established in 1839. It’s considered one of the first churches in the area, founded before the city became the City of Madison.