The Building

The site of The Angel Museum was first chartered by the Diocese of Milwaukee to St. Paul's Catholic Church as a mission to serve Italian Immigrants in the Beloit, Wisconsin area. The church was built in 1914.

The building, constructed of brown brick in simple Romanesque style, which was typical of churches seen in small Italian villages.  Remarkable are its peaked roof, Roman arch, bell tower with parapet and highly placed round stained-glass tower windows. 

[Click here to see our renovation photos]

Throughout its history, St. Paul's remained a unique Roman Catholic parish operating without parish boundaries under the terms of its charter. St. Paul's was the first church in Beloit to initiate the Ecumenical Movement welcoming those of other faiths to join its events and programs. The parish reflected its immigrant identity and the principles of the American Dream.

Typical of immigrant priorities, St. Paul's chief interest was education.  The parish generously donated to Beloit Catholic High School and built a Newman Center to serve the intellectual and spiritual needs of Beloit College faculty and students.

When the Diocese of Madison closed the parish in 1988 after the death of its long-time priest, Father Joseph DeStefano, the church was then sold to Beloit College and used as a storage facility.  As Beloit began its renaissance and riverfront development, the church was acquired by Beloit 2000 as part of a plan to create Heritage Park.  Unable to find a use for the structure, Beloit 2000 proposed St. Paul's be demolished along with many other buildings along the riverfront.  At the urging of former parishioners, those plans were changed by the action of the Beloit Historic Preservation Commission. Parishioners were charged with finding a proper usage of the building.

The Museum

The idea of an Angel Museum in Beloit began when angel collectors, Joyce and Lowell Berg wanted to find a home for their extensive angel collection, which numbered more than 11,000 and former parishioners of St. Paul’s Catholic Church got together. After much research, preparation and presentations to the city, the building was saved for the purpose of an Angel Museum and is now on the register for historical landmarks.

Once the approval of the building usage for an Angel Museum was formulated, over 15,000 volunteer hours by individuals and service organizations along with City Grant Funds were put into the renovation of the building before it opened in 1998. Nearly 10,000 volunteer hours are donated each year to operate the museum.

When asked why she wanted an Angel Museum, Joyce simply said, “I want to see a place where goodness prevails”. Goodness has been experienced with over 170,000 visitors from every state in the United States and over 50 countries from every continent since its opening in 1998.

Located along the banks of Beloit’s beautiful riverfront, The Angel Museum will provide a unique experience and asset to the wonderful new development along the river. It is the only museum of its kind in America and possibly the world. You will see thousands of angels by hundreds of artists and crafters who used them to express what is joyful, noble and good. You will leave with a smile on your lips and joy in your heart when you see the museum featuring over 12,000 angel artifacts from the Berg Angel Collection. These angels are made of over 100 different materials from over 50 different countries. In addition, you will delight in seeing the over 600 black angels donated by Oprah Winfrey, as well as special donations from other angel collectors and angels donated in memory or in honor of loved ones on display for all to enjoy.

In 2001 the Berg Angel Collection was verified and documented by Guinness Book of World Records as being the world’s largest angel collection.

The museum's Heavenly Treasures Gift Shoppe features unique and distinctive gift items including angels, the museum's exclusive Halo Ornament Collection, and duplicate angels from the Berg Collection. In addition, special gifts for baptisms, dedications, christenings, confirmations and holidays can be found.  

In 2006, the Museum commissioned an exclusive angel pendant and earrings created by local artisans. (See it here.)

The Taste of Heaven Cafe is open on a reservation only basis for tour groups and special events like weddings, showers and small intimate events.

The charming gardens and grounds invite you to sit, relax and enjoy the fragrant blooms lovingly tended by dedicated volunteers.

The museum has been featured locally, nationally and internationally in various types of media. The museum was also part of a documentary made by Mungo Film for German television.  In December 2002, Mrs. Berg and The Angel Museum was the subject of an Associated Press article published worldwide.

The museum has won several awards which include the 1998 Midwest Living Magazine "Home Town Pride Historic Preservation" award, 1998 Beloit Chamber of Commerce "Community Pride" award, and 1998 Beloit Landmark Commission "Preservation" award. AAA Home and Away Magazine of Mid-America selected the museum as an "AAA Travel Treasure" in its March/April 1999 issue.

The Angel Museum Board of Trustees, Staff and Volunteers appreciate your interest and support and look forward to your visit.