St. John's Episcopal Church (Keokuk, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John’s Episcopal Church
and Parish Hall |
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4th and Concert Streets Keokuk, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1884-1888 |
| Architect | Daniel Appleton H.M. Stephenson |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000806 |
| Added to NRHP | July 11, 1989 |
St. John's Episcopal Church is a beautiful and historic church located in Keokuk, Iowa. It is part of the Episcopal Church, which is a Christian church in the United States. The church building and its nearby parish hall were recognized as important historical sites in 1989. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists buildings, places, and objects important to American history.
Contents
History of St. John's Church
Early Beginnings (1850-1853)
St. John's Church started on April 20, 1850. A bishop named Jackson Kemper helped begin the church. The first leader of the church, called a rector, was Reverend Otis Hackett. He served from 1850 to 1853.
The first church building was made of wood and built in 1851. The land for the church was a gift from Josiah Spalding. Before the church was finished, services were held in people's homes.
Forming the Diocese and Missions
In 1853, St. John's was one of five churches that helped create the Diocese of Iowa. A diocese is a group of churches in a certain area. St. John's also started five other smaller churches, called missions, in and around Keokuk.
One of these missions was St. Barnabas in Montrose. Another was St. Mary the Virgin in Keokuk. St. Mary the Virgin was special because it was the first Black Episcopal Church in Iowa. None of these missions are still open today.
The Civil War and Church Members
During the American Civil War, many members of St. John's Church joined the Union Army. Several of them became high-ranking officers.
- Samuel Ryan Curtis was a general and also a congressman.
- Hugh Thompson Reid was another general.
- James C. Parrott and William W. Belknap also became generals. Belknap later served as the Secretary of War for President Ulysses S. Grant.
- William H. Worthington and John A. McDowell were colonels.
Keokuk was known for having many high-ranking officers. St. John's Church was proud that so many generals and commanders were members.
Building the Current Church (1884-1895)
The church building you see today was designed by architects Daniel Appleton and H.M. Stephenson from Boston. It was built by F. W. Menke. Work on the church began on June 5, 1884.
The first services were held in the new church on February 12, 1888. The church was officially dedicated on January 4, 1891.
The parish hall was built in 1895. It was designed by the same architects and built by the same contractor. The parish hall has offices, classrooms, and spaces for social events. The rectory, which is the home for the church's leader, was finished in 1913.
Architecture and Design
Building Style and Materials
The church building combines two styles: Gothic Revival and Richardsonian Romanesque. Gothic Revival style often features pointed arches and tall windows. Richardsonian Romanesque style uses heavy stone and round arches.
The church is about 118 feet (36 meters) long and 48 feet (15 meters) high. The main part of the church, called the nave, is 54 feet (16 meters) wide. The transept, which is the part that crosses the nave, is 82 feet (25 meters) wide.
The bell tower is 75 feet (23 meters) tall. It holds the original bell from the first church building. Both the church and the hall are built from Bedford limestone. They have roofs made of slate.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church has beautiful hand-carved wooden items. William Bartels carved the reredos (a screen behind the altar), the altar (the table used for communion), the altar rail, the chancel screen, and the ends of the pews (church benches).
The front of the altar has three carved panels. They show grapes and wheat, which represent the Eucharist (communion). There is also a carving of Christ carrying the cross. The baptismal font, which is a stone basin for baptisms, is the only item from the first church building.
Stained Glass Windows
The church has more than forty stained glass windows. Most were put in when the church was built. Others were added over the years, with the newest one installed in the 1970s.
Seven different companies made the windows. Some famous companies include Franz Mayer & Co. from Munich, Germany, and Tiffany Studios from New York City.
The Pipe Organ
The church's pipe organ was built in 1965 by the Temple Organ Company. It is a large instrument with 22 different sounds (registers), 27 sets of pipes (ranks), and a total of 1,520 pipes! There is also a smaller organ at the back of the church.
