Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rock Island

Already a century old, Rock Island’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church on 5th Avenue at 28th Street has weathered its years very gracefully. Indeed, it takes a very close comparison of our early 1900s postcard with the church today to note any differences at all. We could find only two. The front stairs have been reconfigured, and there’s a new building to the rear. The stairway change and removal of the iron-fenced lawn happened when the city widened 5th Avenue, bringing the street right up to the church. The building at the rear is the school that was built in 1923 and is still in use as the junior high for Jordan Catholic Grade School system.

For many years, there were only two Catholic churches in Rock Island, one for those who spoke German (St. Mary’s) and another for the English speakers (St. Joseph’s). But as Rock Island grew toward Moline in the 1890s, with many newcomers of Irish Catholic descent, another English-speaking church was needed. In 1898, Rev. Joseph Lockney organized the new congregation called Sacred Heart. A small frame church immediately was built on the site of the present church, and an adjacent house was purchased as well. When it came time to build the new $40,000 church in 1901, that house was moved slightly east, where it still serves as the rectory.

The new church was designed by local architect George Stauduhar, a prominent designer of churches throughout the midwest, and the contractor was John Konosky. The cornerstone laying in May 1901 was an ecumenical event, with representatives of many local churches present. Bishop O’Reilly of Peoria presided over the celebration, which included the Augustana College brass band playing “sacred and patriotic” music. Only a year later, the church was dedicated. In many ways, the church is typical of Mr. Stauduhar’s style, which often is termed “eclectic,” meaning that he combines a variety of elements into a single building. The steeply pitched roof, pointed arched openings at windows and doors, the round “rose” windows, as well as the rudimentary flying buttresses are all elements of the Gothic style.

But a Gothic church would almost certainly have a tall steeple. It has been speculated that the Stauduhar design called for twin steeples but that the congregation ran out of money before they could be built. However, pastor Rev. Ambrose Cunningham told us he obtained a copy of the original architectural drawings, now in the University of Illinois archives, and found the corner towers were designed just as they appear today.

These shorter towers are reminiscent of Romanesque-style churches, which often had similar bell towers beneath shallow pitched roofs. At Sacred Heart, however, the designs never encompassed a belfry. The many stained glass windows are believed to be original. Transoms above the three main entry doors have unusual “paisley” shaped jeweled windows incorporated into their relief molding. On the inside, the historic architecture and furnishings are intact. Even the original Henners pipe organ is regularly maintained and used.

The rectory, one of the oldest houses in Rock Island, is as interesting as the church. It dates from as early as the 1840s — remember, this area was part of the pioneer village of Farnhamsburg — and is very similar to an 1849 home on 1st Avenue and 12th Street, which was razed in 1960. An 1857 map shows several large homes on Moline Avenue as 5th Avenue was called then. Because of the scale of the map and lack of real addresses, we are not certain of the rectory’s original owner, but believe it may have been John Boyle, a prominent settler, landowner and builder. Before being purchased by the church, other owners used it as a boarding house.

The rectory is in the Greek Revival-style, popular from 1820 to 1860, although it shares similarities with earlier 18th Century styles, including Georgian and Adam. The window panes surrounding the front door are characteristic of the style. Four chimneys are built into the end walls and the third story windows are covered by ornate grillwork. Sanborn maps show that the porch was enlarged to its present size after 1906.

There’s another story about the rectory. When the Sisters of the Visitation arrived in Rock Island from Kentucky to open what would be come the Villa de Chantal, they lived for a time on the second floor of the rectory while they cleaned the nearby old Reynolds mansion for their first school. In a gesture of continuing gratitude, several years ago the sisters gave the church a statue of Christ with upraised arms that once stood at the Villa. That statue now is mounted in front of the house.

Over the years, additions and modifications to the Sacred Heart buildings have been made to keep up with new needs. It is clear that changes have been done so well that they have not detracted from the historic quality of this church. For that continuing commitment to preservation, we thank its pastors and its congregation.