About Holy Family · Davenport, Iowa
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa, founded in 1897 on the then-western outskirts of the city. The parish serves families and students from across the Quad Cities area with a full schedule of weekday and Sunday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school partnership, and active faith formation, youth, family, and service ministries. Under its current pastor, Rev. Nicholas Akindele, and parochial vicar Rev. Chris Young, the parish describes itself as 'a place of a caring and gracious spirit' rooted in the Eucharist and in service to the broader Davenport community.
- Established
- 1897
- Patron
- Holy Family (of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Nicholas Akindele
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
Holy Family offers a lively Catholic community anchored by daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a constellation of formation and service opportunities — from OCIA and Youth Ministry to the Kids of the Heart of Mary Rosary Group, Family Bible Breakfast, St. Joseph's Men Group, Young Adult Ministry, Knights of Columbus, and Legion of Mary. The parish welcomes all backgrounds and connects students and families through the parish-supported All Saints Catholic School and the on-site Teddy Bear Club Preschool, while a pastor who invites every newcomer to 'become involved in our various ministries' makes it easy to find a place to belong.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday — 1:00–5:00 PM
- Saturday — 3:00 PM
- First Friday — 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Thursdays — 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (following the 8 AM Mass)
- Mondays — after the 7:15 AM Mass
Parish History
Holy Family Parish was established on August 18, 1897 when Bishop Cosgrove appointed Fr. Loras J. Enright as pastor. The site was on the western outskirts of Davenport, then completely surrounded by farmland. A first small church was built that same year but proved too small almost immediately; the present church was begun the same year, and its basement (today's Enright Hall) served as the worship space for nearly a decade until the full building was completed in 1909.
- Founded August 18, 1897 by Bishop Cosgrove
- Founding pastor: Rev. Loras J. Enright (the church basement bears his name: Enright Hall)
- First small church built 1897; current church begun same year; full building completed 1909
- Original small church later became school, caretaker's home, pastor's residence, and (today) Teddy Bear Club Preschool
Buildings, Renovations, and the Rosary Garden
The current church has undergone three major remodeling projects. The most extensive came in 1990–91 under Fr. Thomas Mohr, when the church was completely renovated and a Blessed Sacrament Chapel, an elevator for accessibility, and a new air-conditioning system were added. A successful Capital Campaign raised just over one million dollars, funding a 2007 re-carpeting, a 2008 parish administrative center and youth center, the 2013 Holy Family Rosary Garden on the north side, and the 2015 restoration of the church's original stained glass windows.
- 1990–91 renovation: Blessed Sacrament Chapel, elevator, air-conditioning
- 2007: church re-carpeted
- 2008: parish administrative center, youth center, and expanded parking lot blessed and dedicated
- 2013: Holy Family Rosary Garden completed
- 2015: original stained glass windows restored
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony — and encourages parishioners to contact the Pastor or parish office to receive them. For children under 8 needing Baptism, a downloadable form is available from the parish office. The sacraments page on the parish website quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church on each sacrament's grace and purpose.
- Baptism — form available from the parish office for children under 8
- Confirmation
- Eucharist — Sunday and weekday Masses
- Penance and Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony — contact the Pastor or parish office
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Holy Family runs an active faith formation program under a Director of Religious Education (Diane Lannan), a Director of Faith Formation (Sister Damiana Adeyingbo), and a Director of Children's Ministry (Sister Anne-Marie Aremu). The Kids of the Heart of Mary Rosary Group invites children ages 5–12 to pray and learn the Rosary together; OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) welcomes those preparing to enter the Church.
- Director of Religious Education: Diane Lannan ([email protected])
- Director of Faith Formation: Sister Damiana Adeyingbo
- Director of Children's Ministry: Sister Anne-Marie Aremu
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Kids of the Heart of Mary Rosary Group (ages 5–12)
Parish Ministries and Groups
The parish describes itself as 'a place of a caring and gracious spirit' and invites newcomers to 'become involved in our various ministries.' Its roster spans spiritual direction, family formation, men's and young adult groups, and the parish's podcast and Book Study offerings, along with the Knights of Columbus and the Legion of Mary.
- Spiritual Direction and Counseling
- Youth Ministry (Hieu Nguyen, Director of Missions & Discipleship)
- Young Adult Ministry
- Family Bible Breakfast (Third Saturday of every month at 8 AM)
- Parish Podcast
- Book Study
- Knights of Columbus
- Legion of Mary
- St. Joseph's Men Group (men ages 18–40)
Parish School: All Saints Catholic School
Although the parish school building (now used for parish administration) was originally staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, Holy Family today is associated with All Saints Catholic School, an inter-parish Catholic school serving the wider Davenport community. The bulletin lists Kerry Applegate as principal.
- All Saints Catholic School — Principal Kerry Applegate (324-3205)
- Website: www.ascsdav.org
- Email: [email protected]
Teddy Bear Club Preschool
The Holy Family Teddy Bear Club Preschool operates out of the original small 1897 church building — once the parish's first school, then a caretaker's home and pastor's residence, and nicknamed 'Camp Swampy' in the 1970s — giving the parish's earliest structure a continuing role in early childhood faith and education.
- Director: Cassandra Collum (322-6648)
- Website: www.teddybearclubholyfamily.com
- Email: [email protected]
Parish Staff and Clergy
Holy Family is led by Pastor Rev. Nicholas Akindele, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Chris Young assisting. Parish operations are supported by a Business Manager, Directors of Faith Formation and Children's Ministry, a Director of Religious Education, a Director of Missions & Discipleship, and parish office and custodial staff.
- Pastor: Rev. Nicholas Akindele — [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Chris Young — [email protected]
- Business Manager: Roberta Pegorick — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Diane Lannan — [email protected]
- Director of Faith Formation: Sister Damiana Adeyingbo — [email protected]
- Director of Children's Ministry: Sister Anne-Marie Aremu — [email protected]
- Director of Missions & Discipleship (Youth Ministry): Hieu Nguyen — [email protected]
- Office/Church Custodian: Sr. Helen Ajayi
Contact, Office Hours, and Pastoral Mission
The parish church sits at 1923 Fillmore Street, Davenport, IA 52804, while the parish office is at 1315 West Pleasant Street. Office hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, with an after-hours emergency line. The parish mission statement reads: 'We, the people of Holy Family Parish, strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through education and celebration of word, sacrament and service.'
- Church address: 1923 Fillmore Street, Davenport, IA 52804
- Parish office: 1315 West Pleasant Street, Davenport
- Phone: (563) 322-0901; After-hours emergency: (563) 322-0902
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Parish Mission: 'We strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through education and celebration of word, sacrament and service.'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Loras J. Enright1897–1943
Founding pastor, appointed by Bishop Cosgrove on August 18, 1897; the church basement (now Enright Hall) is named for him.
- Msgr. T.V. Lawlor1943–1961
Second pastor; purchased the old Jackson public school for parish students in 1944.
- Msgr. B.L. Barnes1961–1971
Built the new school and convent across the street.
- Rev. Robert Welch1971–1982
During his tenure the original small church/pastor's residence was nicknamed 'Camp Swampy.'
- Rev. Edward Leahy1982–1988
Enthusiastically promoted the annual Parish Summer Festival.
- Rev. Thomas Mohr1988–1994
Led the most extensive church renovation (1990–91): Blessed Sacrament Chapel, elevator, air-conditioning.
- Rev. Michael Phillips1994 (restored Festival)
Restored the annual Parish Summer Festival; later reorganized it into the Parish Picnic.