A brilliant white building with a 170-foot tall square steeple and bell tower rising above it, the church was designed by noted architect John G. Link, costing nearly $200,000 to build. Stylistically, the church is a blend of Mission Revival and Art Deco, the Art Deco style showing quite prominently in the building.
Impressive within and without, the “Church on the Hill”, as it is appropriately called, is situated on one of the highest eminences in the city of Butte. Approaching the Church across the valley from the south, which is perhaps the best view, it can be seen from a great distance standing forth in its vesture of immaculate white in striking relief against its somber mountain background.
...From Walkerville to the northeast a fuller view of the front can be obtained, and the roof of Spanish red tile visible from here give the church the effect of early mission churches... The spire, one hundred and thirty-five feet in height, catches the eye and holds the attention of the observer.
The modern design of the tower blends in with the architecture of the remainder of the building. ...geometric simplicity consonant with modern architecture is shown in the employment of circles, triangular figures, rectangular forms of various sized and clean straight lines.
Measuring 156 feet in length, 80 feet in the transepts and 68 feet in the nave, the church will be able to accommodate over seven hundred people and can be used for the larger liturgical functions and ceremonies.
The front entrance is reached from the lower street by a set of steps to a large outside plaza. The front doors as well as the others on the exterior are made of oak. Those on the inside as well as all the interior woodwork such as you will notice around the base of the columns and the sidings, is done in mahogany. The fixtures for the doors and other hardware are made of hammered brass. As you enter, the narthex, the excellently appointed baptistery will draw your attention. It is st off to the right and is visible through a wrought iron grille which has a symbol of the Holy Spirit descending as a dove worked in as a centerpiece. The baptismal font itself is composed of a solid marble shaft inlaid with tracery and lettering of marble.
From the Butte Catholic Community North
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH
The bright white façade of this stunning church, prominently located beneath Big Butte, serves as a beacon proclaiming the heart of Butte’s west side Catholic community. The Immaculate Conception Parish was created from the overflowing St. Patrick and St. Lawrence O’Toole parishes in 1906. The original church building across the street also served as convent and school. The cornerstone of the present church was laid on December 10, 1939. It indicates that the church, dedicated to the Immaculate Mother of God, is also designated a shrine to Our Lady of Victory and St. Therese. Noted architect John G. Link designed this Butte landmark, completed in 1940 at a cost of almost $200,000, which features an unusual blend of the Mission Revival and Art Deco styles.
From the plaque at the building