St. John's United Methodist Church (Davenport, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John's Methodist Church
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St. John's Church in 2012
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1325-1329 Brady St. Davenport, Iowa |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Parke Burrows Frederick G. Clausen |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Davenport MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002509 |
| Added to NRHP | July 7, 1983 |
St. John's United Methodist Church is a historic church in central Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it is recognized as an important building in American history.
Contents
History of the Methodist Church in Davenport
The Methodist Church began in Davenport with Reverend E. C. Gavit in 1835. He was a missionary, which means he traveled to share his faith. He worked with the Sac and Fox tribes and also visited white settlements. His work covered a very large area, from the Missouri state border all the way to what is now Minneapolis.
In 1836, the Methodist Society was officially started in Rockingham, Iowa. This area is now part of southwest Davenport. About seven or eight people were part of this first group. A "circuit" was formed, which was a large area where a preacher would travel to different towns. This circuit was about 200 miles (320 km) long!
The first church services in Davenport itself happened in 1837. They were held in the home of D.D. Eldridge, led by the missionary E.C. Gavit.
Growing the Church Community
The first organized church in Davenport started in 1839. William L. Cook helped seven people form the first "class," which is a small group within the church. Within a year, this group grew to 20 members.
The first church building was started in 1841. It was a small brick building, about 30 by 40 feet (9.1 by 12.2 m). The congregation called themselves Davenport Methodist Episcopal Church. Later, they became known as First Methodist Episcopal Church.
The church community kept growing. In 1853, they planned a new, bigger church building. It was built at the corner of Fifth and Brady Streets and finished the next summer. A house for the pastor, called a parsonage, was built soon after.
By 1856, the main church had 375 members. Other smaller churches also started from this main church, like Wesley Chapel.
St. John's Church Building
The congregation grew so much that their church building became too small again. In 1867, they bought land on a hill at 14th and Brady Streets. A new church, the Fourteenth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, was formed there. More small churches also started from the main church over time.
In 1873, a new main church was built even further up Brady Street. This was because the trains on 5th Street made too much noise, which made it hard to hear during services!
In 1899, the First Methodist Episcopal Church and the Fourteenth Street Methodist Episcopal Church joined together. They became known as Central Methodist Episcopal Church.
The cornerstone for the current church building was laid in 1902. It was built at the 14th and Brady location. Parke T. Burrows designed the building, and Frederick G. Clausen oversaw the construction.
The new building was officially opened on December 13, 1903, and named St. John's. It cost $112,000 to build. The church has a large worship area and a tall tower at the corner. In the early 1900s, it had over 1,000 members and a Sunday School with more than 600 students.
St. John's has remained the largest Methodist church in the area. In recent years, the church has expanded its property. It renovated an old furniture store across 14th Street. This new building is called "The Center." It gives the church more space for its outreach ministries, which are programs to help the community.
Architecture of St. John's Church
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St. John's Church is built in the English Gothic style. This style often features tall, pointed arches and large windows. The church is made of limestone, a type of stone.
Unlike some very tall Gothic churches, St. John's looks a bit lower to the ground. You can see strong horizontal lines in the stone work. The main entrance is under the arched base of the tower.
Large windows with decorative stone patterns, called tracery windows, are on the west, north, and south sides of the church. You can also see narrow, pointed windows, called lancet windows, throughout the building.
A parsonage, which is a house for the church's pastor, is located just south of the church. It is built with the same stone as the church. There is also an education building attached to the church where classes and activities are held.
Pipe Organ
St. John's United Methodist Church has a large pipe organ. It was built by M.P. Moller in 1960. A pipe organ is a musical instrument that makes sound by sending air through many different pipes. This organ has three keyboards, called manuals, and a pedalboard played with the feet. It has 40 different sounds, called stops, and nearly 2,000 pipes!
