Immaculate Conception Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, read the original application here and see the submitted photographs here.  From the original nomination we can see the many unique and historical elements associated with the Church:  

“Immaculate Conception Church is a one story, cross gabled Romanesque Revival erected in 1909. Externally, the building has changed slightly with the additions of protective screen covering the stain glass windows, modern entrance steps, and a vertical board addition to the apse. None of these detract from the structure's architectural integrity. The structure has many consistent architectural features. Cut sandstone from a local quarry covers most of the exterior walls and is used as the foundation. All the openings employ compound Romanesque arches with radiating youssoirs. The stones in the top course of the plinth, which surrounds the building, serve as the first floor window sills. The remaining opening use lug sills. Recessed stain glass windows are utilized. Most of them are of geometric design except for the two large ones which show Biblical depictions. The front facade features a square bell tower that is used as the main entrance. The tower has a pyramidical termination which is covered by terneplate. The double door with a three panel entrance has a stained glass, round-headed window above which there is a heavy cut stone Romanesque arch surround. The bell tower has large openings on all sides which are screened and have balustrades. The north and south sides display at each end of the cross gable two chimneys of the single stack type. A Latin cross finial is used on each gable. This structure is well preserved.

The most important aspect of the church is its architectural quality. This Romanesque Revival structure has undergone few alterations and its cut stone facade and stained glass windows have been kept in excellent condition. With the retention of the building's architectural integrity, the membership of the church has shown a respect for its origins and history.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is important for it is the best example of Romanesque Revival architecture in the city. Only a few of this type of architecture still exists in Rapid. Only two buildings are left with entirely rockfaced facades; Immaculate Conception is one of them. If the destruction of the church occurred, the city would lose part of its architectural history, one of the last examples of the art of stone cutting, and examples of indigenous stone material Therefore, the preservation of this church is important to understanding the development of Rapid City, for this is the last known cut stone building erected within the town's boundaries.”

Renderings Copyright 2021-2022 @John Canning & Company, All Rights Reserved
All else Copyright 2021-2022 @Immaculate Conception Church, All Rights Reserved