50+ Lifestyles

Holy Week in the Hilltop Campus Village

There is no better time than April to take a walking tour in the neighborhoods and see all that the Hilltop has to offer.

The churches located in or near the Hilltop Campus Village are rich in the history and the heritage of Davenport. Many are architectural
marvels and designed by renowned architects.

The historic foundation of these brick and mortar buildings are only part of the story. The people of the churches are community minded. They also have a story to tell. Many members of these congregations are members of P. U. N. C. H. This acronym stands for People Uniting Neighbors and Churches. This organization connecting the churches was originally formed in 2005 with five churches. It expanded to more churches in 2007. Part of the mission is to engage in work and service projects for the neighbors in the Hilltop Campus Village. The vision is to make the area a better place to live. Some of the past activities they have spearheaded include an Easter Egg Hunt and a Community Garden. They also have started The Blessing Boxes.

The buildings may be considered historic places, steeped in old world structure and beauty but the congregations are working hard in the present and sharing a vision for better neighborhoods.

Bethel A.M.E. Church, 323 W. 11th Street*

Bethel A.M.E. traces its roots to its founding in 1866 when four men came together to organize the first African American congregation in Davenport. The stucco and half-timbered building, designed by the noted Davenport architectural firm of Clausen and Clausen, has been in service since 1908. The interior features a barrel vaulting over the nave and a domed apse behind the altar; the stained glass windows were donated by members of the congregation.

First Baptist Church, 1401 Perry Street*

The cornerstone of the present church building was laid in 1889 during the 50th anniversary of the founding of the congregation. Then called “Calvary Baptist,” the sanctuary was designed in the Romanesque Revival style by John S. Wollacott of Chicago. Wells Glass Company of Chicago created the stained glass windows. The congregation, celebrated 175 years in 2014, is the oldest continuously meeting Protestant congregation in Davenport.

First Christian Church, 510 E. 15th Street

With its current building constructed in 1964, this congregation is celebrating its 175th year in Davenport. First Christian is affiliated with the Christian Church, also known as the Disciples of Christ. The Christian Church is a denomination that grew out of the Scottish Presbyterian Church and is recognized as having its roots in the United States.

First Presbyterian Church,* 1702 Iowa Street

Built 1897-98 in the classic Romanesque style, First Presbyterian’s sanctuary was designed by the Galesburg architectural firm of Gottschalk & Beadle, who designed a nearly identical church on Galesburg Square that was completed one year prior. Its stained glass windows are by J and R Lamb Studios of New York City. The founding congregation met in April, 1838, in a small building on Ripley Street with 10 members.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, 422 E. 10th St.

Sacred Heart Cathedral was designed by Chicago architect James J. Egan. The building was dedicated in 1891. Built in the Gothic Revival style, Sacred Heart was, when completed the tallest building in Davenport and ten feet taller than the Statue of Liberty from ground to spire.

St. John’s United Methodist Church, 109 E. 14th Street.*

The cornerstone for today’s church was laid in 1902, and services began there in 1903. It was designed by Parke T. Burrows with F. G. Clausen serving as the supervising engineer.

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 N. Brady St.

St. Paul’s history reaches back to the late 1870s, when Rev. George W. Snyder led an effort to raise $4,000 and become Davenport’s first English-speaking Lutheran congregation. Its sanctuary is the newest on today’s tour, completed in 2007. A remodel and expansion in 2007 created a new larger sanctuary as well as other additions of the common areas.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 121 W. 12th Street*

Built 1867-1873, this Gothic-style church was consecrated as Grace Cathedral. It was the first cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. It was designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter of New York City, one of the leading church architects of his time. Congregations from the old Trinity Episcopal Parish and Grace Cathedral merged in 1910 to form Trinity Cathedral.

There is no better time than April to take a walking tour in the neighborhoods and see all that the Hilltop has to offer.

* Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Sponsored by:

Hilltop Campus Village: An Iowa Main Street Community located in Davenport, Iowa. Its goals include creation of a revitalized, mixed-use neighborhood that is family friendly, clean and safe, alive with activities and excitement, and retention of a diverse population living and working in the established district.

P.U.N.C.H. (People Uniting Neighbors and Churches): Formed in 2004 by the churches in the Brady Hill neighborhood of Davenport, its goal is to make the neighborhood a better place to work, worship and live in.