Saints John and Paul Catholic Church (Burlington, Iowa)
Encyclopedia
Saints John and Paul Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Davenport
. The parish is the result of a merger between St. John the Baptist and St. Paul’s Parishes in the city of Burlington, Iowa
, United States
. The parish maintains both of the former parish church buildings as worship sites. The oldest of the two parishes, St. Paul’s, is located at 508 North 4th Street in downtown Burlington. St. John the Baptist is located on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River
and downtown at 712 Division Street, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
in 1836 the town of Burlington was chosen as one of the temporary capitals of the territory. With the establishment of the Iowa Territory
in 1838, the town became its first capital. Bishop Mathias Loras
and the Rev. Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli
, OP, recognized the importance of the community. There were, however, few Catholics in the area when Mazzuchelli was dispatched to Burlington to buy land in 1839 and establish St. Paul’s Church. A small brick church building was constructed 1840-1841. The building was leased to the territorial legislature for 60 days for their use. As a way to strengthen Catholicism in the area Loras chose St. Paul’s as the location for the ordination of the Rev. Anthony Godfert, whom Loras recruited from France. It was also to Burlington that Loras fled when tempers flared between the Irish and German Catholics of Dubuque
. He sent St. Paul’s pastor, the Rev. John Healy—an Irish immigrant himself, to calm tensions, which he could not do.
The Burlington area was served regularly by a visiting priest after Loras left town, especially the Rev. J.A.M. Pelamourgues
of St. Anthony’s
in Davenport
. The Rev.John Alleman
, arrived in 1847. The town by then had become a hotbed for anti-Catholic, anti-clerical and nativist thinking. Many of the people who harbored these beliefs had moved to Burlington from the eastern United States where such thinking was rampant. Alleman stayed a couple of years until the arrival of the Rev. George Reffe, who started Burlington's first parochial school
in St. Paul's church basement in 1849. The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
started teaching at St. Paul’s in 1859.
In the late 1880s plans were drawn for a new church by a Chicago
architect
, J.J. Egan. At the same time he designed Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, and St. Ambrose Cathedral
in Des Moines. All three churches, while distinct, have many of the same features. St. Paul’s was completed in 1891 and is built in the Gothic Revival style. It is constructed of Bedford limestone
and the exterior features a corner tower on the right side of the facade
. The interior is a large open expanse without pillars. A large stained glass window featuring St. Paul is above the altar, and a pipe organ
is located in the gallery in the back.
. Priests from the Davenport Diocese started serving the parish in the 1980s. The School Sisters of Notre Dame
taught in the parochial school.
The current St. John’s Church was built in 1885. It is constructed of brick in the Gothic Revival style. The exterior features a tall central tower with two smaller towers flanking it on either side of the facade. There are three entrances across the front of the building. The interior is divided into three nave
s, which are divided by pillars. A tall wooden high altar fills the apse
of the church. A Eucharistic Chapel was constructed in the left side sacristy
in the 1990s. An arched doorway was cut into the sanctuary wall leading to the chapel and allowing it to be visible from the main body of the church. Lights were put on the church’s 150 foot tower in 2010.
on the city’s west side. The two parishes continued to operate their own grade schools until the late 1970s when they were consolidated. St. Paul’s School was the site for kindergarten through 4th Grade and St. John’s housed grades five through eight. The school at Burlington’s third parish, St. Patrick’s, and the school at St. Mary’s in West Burlington
had both closed in 1969. In the 1990s a fund drive was held and a new grade school wing was added at Notre Dame. St. John's School was torn down to make room for more parking.
The number of clergy in the Davenport Diocese has declined steadily since the 1960s. Demographics and religious practice in the Burlington Community also changed. Bishop Gerald O’Keefe
announced a plan in 1991 to consolidate parishes throughout the diocese, and the parishes in Burlington were part of that plan. Later in the decade both St. Paul’s and St. John’s were consolidated under the leadership of the Rev. John Hyland, who had been the pastor at St. John’s. The new parish name was a combination of the two parishes: Saints John and Paul. St. Patrick’s and St. Mary's consolidated at the same time to form their own parish.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport is a diocese of the Catholic Church for the southeastern quarter of the state of Iowa. There are within the diocese...
. The parish is the result of a merger between St. John the Baptist and St. Paul’s Parishes in the city of Burlington, Iowa
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The parish maintains both of the former parish church buildings as worship sites. The oldest of the two parishes, St. Paul’s, is located at 508 North 4th Street in downtown Burlington. St. John the Baptist is located on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and downtown at 712 Division Street, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
St. Paul's Church
With the establishment of the Wisconsin TerritoryWisconsin Territory
The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin...
in 1836 the town of Burlington was chosen as one of the temporary capitals of the territory. With the establishment of the Iowa Territory
Iowa Territory
The Territory of Iowa was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1838, until December 28, 1846, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Iowa.-History:...
in 1838, the town became its first capital. Bishop Mathias Loras
Mathias Loras
Bishop Mathias Loras was an immigrant French priest to the United States who later became the first bishop of the Dubuque Diocese in what would become the state of Iowa.-Early Life & Ministry:...
and the Rev. Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli
Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli
Father Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli, O.P. was a pioneer Italian Catholic missionary who helped bring the church to the Iowa-Illinois-Wisconsin tri-state area. He founded a number of parishes in the area, and was the architect for a number of parish buildings.-Background:Father Mazzuchelli was born...
, OP, recognized the importance of the community. There were, however, few Catholics in the area when Mazzuchelli was dispatched to Burlington to buy land in 1839 and establish St. Paul’s Church. A small brick church building was constructed 1840-1841. The building was leased to the territorial legislature for 60 days for their use. As a way to strengthen Catholicism in the area Loras chose St. Paul’s as the location for the ordination of the Rev. Anthony Godfert, whom Loras recruited from France. It was also to Burlington that Loras fled when tempers flared between the Irish and German Catholics of Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
. He sent St. Paul’s pastor, the Rev. John Healy—an Irish immigrant himself, to calm tensions, which he could not do.
The Burlington area was served regularly by a visiting priest after Loras left town, especially the Rev. J.A.M. Pelamourgues
J.A.M. Pelamourgues
Jean-Antoine-Marie Pelamourgues was a French missionary who was one of the first Roman Catholic priests to serve in the Diocese of Dubuque in the state of Iowa. He served as the first pastor of St. Anthony's Church in Davenport, Iowa from 1839-1868.-Early Life & Ministry:Pelamourgues was born in...
of St. Anthony’s
St. Anthony's Catholic Church (Davenport, Iowa)
Saint Anthony's Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. The church is located in Davenport, Iowa, United States, at the corner of 4th and Main Streets. It is the first church congregation organized in the city of Davenport and the second, after St. Raphael's...
in Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
. The Rev.John Alleman
John George Alleman
John George Alleman was a missionary Catholic priest who served in the states of Ohio, Iowa and Illinois. He served as a priest in the Dominican Order from 1834–1840, after which time he was expelled from the order. He then served as a secular priest in the Diocese of Dubuque from 1840–1851, and...
, arrived in 1847. The town by then had become a hotbed for anti-Catholic, anti-clerical and nativist thinking. Many of the people who harbored these beliefs had moved to Burlington from the eastern United States where such thinking was rampant. Alleman stayed a couple of years until the arrival of the Rev. George Reffe, who started Burlington's first parochial school
Parochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
in St. Paul's church basement in 1849. The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known by their initials BVM, is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the United States by Mother Mary Frances Clarke. BVM Sisters work in twenty-five U.S...
started teaching at St. Paul’s in 1859.
In the late 1880s plans were drawn for a new church by a Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, J.J. Egan. At the same time he designed Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, and St. Ambrose Cathedral
St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines)
St. Ambrose Cathedral is the cathedral parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, and is located at 607 High Street in Des Moines, Iowa in the center of the city. The facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St...
in Des Moines. All three churches, while distinct, have many of the same features. St. Paul’s was completed in 1891 and is built in the Gothic Revival style. It is constructed of Bedford limestone
Indiana Limestone
Indiana Limestone, also known as Bedford Limestone is a common regional term for Salem limestone, a geological formation primarily quarried in south central Indiana between Bloomington and Bedford....
and the exterior features a corner tower on the right side of the facade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
. The interior is a large open expanse without pillars. A large stained glass window featuring St. Paul is above the altar, and a pipe organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
is located in the gallery in the back.
St. John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist parish was started in 1852 to serve the town’s growing German community. Unlike St Paul’s, St. John’s has been served by religious order priests rather than those of the local diocese. The Jesuits were the first to serve the parish followed by Benedictines from St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, KansasAtchison, Kansas
Atchison is a city situated along the Missouri River in the eastern part of Atchison County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,021. It is the county seat and most populous city of Atchison County...
. Priests from the Davenport Diocese started serving the parish in the 1980s. The School Sisters of Notre Dame
School Sisters of Notre Dame
School Sisters of Notre Dame is a worldwide order of Roman Catholic nuns devoted to primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. Their life in mission centers on prayer, community life and ministry...
taught in the parochial school.
The current St. John’s Church was built in 1885. It is constructed of brick in the Gothic Revival style. The exterior features a tall central tower with two smaller towers flanking it on either side of the facade. There are three entrances across the front of the building. The interior is divided into three nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
s, which are divided by pillars. A tall wooden high altar fills the apse
Apse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
of the church. A Eucharistic Chapel was constructed in the left side sacristy
Sacristy
A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building...
in the 1990s. An arched doorway was cut into the sanctuary wall leading to the chapel and allowing it to be visible from the main body of the church. Lights were put on the church’s 150 foot tower in 2010.
Mergers
The first merger of the Catholic Community in Burlington happened in the parochial schools. Both St. Paul’s and St. John’s operated parish-based high schools. Those separate operations merged in 1958 with the opening of Notre Dame High SchoolNotre Dame High School (Burlington, Iowa)
Notre Dame High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Burlington, Iowa. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport.-Background:...
on the city’s west side. The two parishes continued to operate their own grade schools until the late 1970s when they were consolidated. St. Paul’s School was the site for kindergarten through 4th Grade and St. John’s housed grades five through eight. The school at Burlington’s third parish, St. Patrick’s, and the school at St. Mary’s in West Burlington
West Burlington, Iowa
The City of West Burlington is in Des Moines County, Iowa, United States, adjacent to the City of Burlington located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 3,161...
had both closed in 1969. In the 1990s a fund drive was held and a new grade school wing was added at Notre Dame. St. John's School was torn down to make room for more parking.
The number of clergy in the Davenport Diocese has declined steadily since the 1960s. Demographics and religious practice in the Burlington Community also changed. Bishop Gerald O’Keefe
Gerald Francis O'Keefe
Gerald Francis O'Keefe was a 20th century bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul in the state of Minnesota from 1961–1966 and bishop of the Diocese of Davenport in the state of Iowa from 1966-1993.-Early Life &...
announced a plan in 1991 to consolidate parishes throughout the diocese, and the parishes in Burlington were part of that plan. Later in the decade both St. Paul’s and St. John’s were consolidated under the leadership of the Rev. John Hyland, who had been the pastor at St. John’s. The new parish name was a combination of the two parishes: Saints John and Paul. St. Patrick’s and St. Mary's consolidated at the same time to form their own parish.