St. Paul's Catholic Church (Burlington, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church
and Rectory |
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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St. Paul's Church in 2013
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 508 N. 4th St. Burlington, Iowa |
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| Area | 2.35 acres (0.95 ha) |
| Built | 1892-1895 (church) 1902-1904 (rectory) |
| Architect | James J. Egan |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival (church) Georgian Revival (rectory) |
| Part of | Heritage Hill Historic District (ID82000406) |
| Added to NRHP | December 21, 1982 |
St. Paul's Catholic Church is an old and important church building in Burlington, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Divine Mercy parish, along with the Church of St. John the Baptist and St. Mary's Church. This parish is part of the Diocese of Davenport.
The church and its next-door building, the rectory (where the priest lives), are special parts of the Heritage Hill Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. St. Paul's School was also once part of this historic area, but it has since been taken down.
Contents
A Look Back: Church History
In 1836, Burlington was chosen as a temporary capital for the Wisconsin Territory. Then, in 1838, it became the first capital of the Iowa Territory. Church leaders like Bishop Mathias Loras and Father Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli, a Dominican priest, saw how important this town was.
Even though there were few Catholics, Father Mazzuchelli came to Burlington in 1839. He bought land to start St. Paul's Church. A small brick church was built between 1840 and 1841. It stood where the back of the current church is now. In 1842, Burlington got its first church bell. The church building was even used by the territorial government for 60 days.
Bishop Loras wanted to make Catholicism stronger in the area. He chose St. Paul's for the ordination of Father Anthony Godfert, a priest he brought from France. Bishop Loras also came to Burlington when there were disagreements between Irish and German Catholics in Dubuque. He sent St. Paul's pastor, Father John Healy, to help calm things down.
Growing the Community
After Bishop Loras left, priests like Father J.A.M. Pelamourgues from St. Anthony's in Davenport regularly visited Burlington. In 1847, Father John Alleman arrived. At this time, Burlington had some strong feelings against Catholics. Many people with these ideas had moved from the eastern United States.
Father Alleman stayed for a few years. Then, Father George Reffe arrived and started Burlington's first parochial school (a church-run school) in the church basement in 1849. The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary began teaching at St. Paul's in 1859. The parish's second church building, made of brick in the English Gothic style, was finished in 1863.
Building the Current Church
The St. Paul's Church you see today was designed by Chicago architect James J. Egan. He used the High Victorian Gothic Revival style. He had also designed other important churches like Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport.
The first stone for the church was laid on October 23, 1892. Father Bernard Mackin was the pastor then. John Loftus built St. Paul's, and it was finished in 1895. The church was officially opened on January 27, 1895. In 1946, a fire damaged the church, and the inside had to be rebuilt.
Schools and Parishes Merge
Catholic schools in Burlington started to combine. St. Paul's and St. John's high schools merged in 1958. They opened Notre Dame High School. The grade schools also combined in 1975. St. Paul's School taught kindergarten through 4th grade, and St. John's taught grades five through eight. Later, a new grade school section was added at Notre Dame.
Over the years, the number of priests in the Davenport Diocese changed. The population and religious practices in Burlington also changed. In 1991, Bishop Gerald O’Keefe announced a plan to combine parishes. In 1998, St. Paul's and St. John's became one parish called Saints John and Paul. Then, in 2017, Saints John and Paul parish merged with St. Mary and St. Patrick parishes to form the Divine Mercy parish.
Church Architecture
St. Paul's Church is built from Bedford limestone. On the right side of the front, there is a tall tower that reaches 100 feet (30 m) high. The original church bell from 1842 is still in this tower. The church sits on a corner lot on top of a hill, which makes it stand out. This also means the basement is visible at the back of the church.
The sides of the church have strong buttresses (supports). Three gables (pointed roof sections) break up the roofline on the sides. You'll see Tracery (stone patterns) and paired lancet windows (tall, narrow windows) along the sides. Above the main entrance, there's a tall tracery window with two shorter lancet windows next to it.
Inside, the church is one big open space with no pillars. The pews (church benches) are set up in four sections. The vaulted ceiling (a curved ceiling) is held up by strong hardwood hammer beams. The altar (the table where services are held) is framed by a tall pointed arch. On either side are small areas with shrines. On the left is the tabernacle (where the Eucharist is kept) with a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus above it. On the right is a shrine with statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. Above the altar are three stained glass windows. The middle window shows St. Paul the Apostle. A pipe organ is in the back of the church, in a raised area called the gallery.
The Rectory Building
St. Paul's Rectory is right next to the church. It was designed by Egan & Prindeville and built between 1902 and 1904. It's in the Georgian Revival style. This two-story house has a steep, multi-level hipped roof covered in slate. Small dormers (windows that stick out from the roof) are on all sides. Decorative blocks called modillions are under the eaves (the part of the roof that hangs over the walls). Tall stone chimneys rise above the roof.
The outside of the rectory is covered with smooth stone blocks called ashlar, mixed with narrow rows of rougher stone. The building is mostly rectangular. The front of the house on the north side sticks out a little. The front porch has a balustrade (a railing with small posts) and three simple columns. Another porch on the southeast corner has been screened in. A modern addition was built onto the back of the house.
