St. Mary's Catholic Church of Rock Island, Illinois

St. Mary’s, the oldest Catholic Church in Rock Island County, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2001. Founded in 1851 by Rev. George Alleman, it initially was known as St. James, but the name was changed to St. Mary’s about 24 years later. The current church building was built in 1862, replacing the small stone church originally on the site. Stones from the destroyed Mormon Temple in Nauvoo were incorporated in the 1862 construction.

The rectory, just east of the church on 4th Avenue, was built in 1869. The first school, a one-story 18-by-32 frame building, was built in 1875. Franciscan sisters from a convent in Joliet were recruited to teach at the new school. Not too many years later, enrollment had outgrown the small school, and in 1890, the congregation began building a new school on the northeast corner of 5th Avenue and 22nd Street. That school, pictured on our postcard, was built at a cost of $10,000. Above the arched entrance was the inscription, “For God, Our Country and Our Children,” while just inside were the words “Welcome to All.”

A book produced for the church centennial offers more information. It describes the school as “two story brick, of modern design, and built in accordance with the requirements of the parish.” A large number of people from Davenport and Moline, as well as Rock Island, participated in its dedication. Those from Davenport were met at the ferry by the Rock Islanders, and the entourage, headed by Bleuer’s band, proceeded to the church for services. After the blessing of the new school, there was a gathering on the second floor of Columbia Hall. The hall, designed for school programs, was said to have a “commodious” stage.

For many years, St. Mary’s was known as the German church, and conducted many services in German. Other Catholic churches had different ethnic identities, notably Belgian and Irish. Such specialization of congregations was apparent in other denominations as well. This ethnic self-segregation likely resulted from the large influx of immigrants who did not speak English well and who sought the comfort of their native language in their spiritual life.

The school and building that was home to the Franciscan teachers is found to the south of the church grounds. The Sisters Home, or convent, wasn’t built until after 1900.The school and home were red brick, with the gable detail in the home matching that in the school. The school also has an exposed rough stone foundation.

Except for the addition of cast stone siding on the school and the removal of unneeded chimneys, the school has changed very little. The new siding still shows the gable details, and the stone foundation is the same as always. The second-story windows even have the original carving above each upper sash.

Although the school closed in 1968, the building continued to be used to serve the educational and social needs of the church. The school now is called Schroeder Hall in honor of Rev. George Schroeder, who retired in 1992 after 50 years in the priesthood, most of those years at St. Mary’s.

When the school closed, the convent was unused and, after being vacant for some time, finally was demolished. Later the roof of the school collapsed, causing tremendous damage as the sprinklers were set off. The congregation chose to rebuild the roof and repair the school building, so it looks the same today.