Franz Joseph Untrsee
Encyclopedia
Franz Joseph Untersee was a Swiss-American architect who designed many Roman Catholic churches throughout the eastern part of United States.
Born and educated in Glarus
, Switzerland
, he was sent to Germany
for technical training, and after receiving his degree in architecture from Stuttgart University, returned to his native country. He served for a time as assistant to the City Architect of Bern but left to broaden the scope of his education in other cities of the continent.
In 1882, Untersee sailed for America and having established residence in Brookline
, a suburb of Boston
, opened an office where he continued active for forty years. He was elected to the Boston Society of Architects
in 1896 and in 1901 became an Associate of the American Institute of Architects
. Many of his early works were in Brookline including the old Public Bath House (1896), the Manual Training Center (1901) and Brookline Savings Bank (both old and new buildings).
It was however in the field of church design that he was best known. Many Roman Catholic buildings of the then popular Romanesque type were built from his plans in New England and New York State. His last work completed just before his death was the Mission High School, Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Born and educated in Glarus
Glarus
Glarus is the capital of the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland. Glarus municipality since 1 January 2011 incorporates the former municipalities of Ennenda, Netstal and Riedern....
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, he was sent to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
for technical training, and after receiving his degree in architecture from Stuttgart University, returned to his native country. He served for a time as assistant to the City Architect of Bern but left to broaden the scope of his education in other cities of the continent.
In 1882, Untersee sailed for America and having established residence in Brookline
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, a suburb of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, opened an office where he continued active for forty years. He was elected to the Boston Society of Architects
Boston Society of Architects
One of the oldest and largest chapters of the AIA, the Boston Society of Architects is a nonprofit membership organization committed to architecture, design and the built environment .-History:...
in 1896 and in 1901 became an Associate of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
. Many of his early works were in Brookline including the old Public Bath House (1896), the Manual Training Center (1901) and Brookline Savings Bank (both old and new buildings).
It was however in the field of church design that he was best known. Many Roman Catholic buildings of the then popular Romanesque type were built from his plans in New England and New York State. His last work completed just before his death was the Mission High School, Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Works
- Basilica and Rectory of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Brooklyn, NY
- St. Patrick's Church, East Jaffrey, NHEast Jaffrey Historic DistrictThe East Jaffrey Historic District is a historic district running roughly along NH Route 124 through Jaffrey, New Hampshire.It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.-Nomenclature:...
- St. Patrick's Church, Hampton Beach, NH
- St Peter & Paul Church and Rectory, Jamestown, NY
- Buildings for the Mt. Saint Alphonsus Retreat Center for the Redemptorist Fathers, Esopus-on-the-Hudson, NYEsopus, New YorkEsopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,331 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the local Indian tribe and means "high banks."...
- The towers for the Mission Church, Boston together with a renovation of the interior.
- The tower for St. Columbkille Church, Brighton, MA
- St. Columbkille School, Brighton, MA
- St. Anthony Church, Allston, MA
- St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, East Boston, MA
- St. Lawrence Church, Brookline, MA