About St. Ambrose University · Davenport, Iowa
St. Ambrose University (SAU) is a private Catholic university in Davenport, Iowa, founded in 1882 by the first Bishop of Davenport, John McMullen, under the auspices of the Diocese of Davenport. The spiritual heart of campus is Christ the King Chapel, a Roman Catholic chapel in the lower level of the university's main complex, where daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are offered to students, faculty, and staff. Campus Ministry, led by Director Tammy Norcross-Reitzler and Chaplain Fr. Dale Mallory, runs RCIA, Confirmation preparation, retreats, Bible studies, service trips, Music Ministry, Ambrosians for Peace & Justice, and the Peer Campus Ministers program — welcoming students of all faith backgrounds into the life of the Ambrosian community.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- St. Ambrose of Milan (4th-century Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Church)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
Christ the King Chapel and SAU Campus Ministry exist to serve every student of St. Ambrose University, regardless of denomination — and the chapel itself notes that unlike a parish, its focus is the spiritual and pastoral needs of the university community. Students are invited into a wide rhythm of prayer: five weekly Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday evenings, regular Reconciliation, Rosary, Taizé prayer, and praise-and-worship music. They can also prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA for any student wishing to become Catholic, and Confirmation for already-baptized Catholics), grow as liturgical ministers (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, altar servers, sacristans, ushers, choir, and musicians), serve on service trips, join Ambrosians for Peace & Justice, or live out faith in the residence halls as Peer Campus Ministers.
Mass times at St. Ambrose University
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays at 8:00 PM
- Thursdays at 8:30 PM
- By appointment with the chaplain
Adoration times
- Thursdays at 8:30 PM (weekly holy hour of adoration during the semester)
St. Ambrose University — History and Catholic Identity
St. Ambrose University is a private Catholic university in Davenport, Iowa, founded in 1882 by the first Bishop of Davenport, John McMullen. It carries the motto 'Faith Learning Justice' and remains strongly affiliated with the Diocese of Davenport. The university operates today under the same Catholic educational vision that Bishop McMullen articulated in 1882 — educating lay Catholic leaders for both church and society while remaining open to students of every background.
- Founded 1882 as St. Ambrose Academy by Bishop John McMullen
- First classes held in two rooms of old St. Marguerite's School
- Moved to Locust Street campus in 1885; central part of today's Ambrose Hall built then
- Incorporated 1885 as 'a literary, scientific and religious institution' with no religious test for admission
- Renamed St. Ambrose College in 1908
- Became St. Ambrose University on April 23, 1987
- Fully coeducational since 1968; first doctoral program (DBA) launched 1997
- In May 2024 SAU announced a partnership with Mount Mercy University; formal merger announced August 2024
Christ the King Chapel — Spiritual Center of Campus
Christ the King Chapel is the spiritual heart of St. Ambrose University, located in the lower level of the chapel building on the Locust Street campus. Unlike a parish, the chapel exists solely for the needs of the university community — students, faculty, and staff — but it is open to all who wish to join in worship. The chapel's gathering space also serves as a quiet place to study between classes or with friends.
- Located: lower level of Christ the King Chapel, St. Ambrose University
- Title 'Christ the King' refers to Jesus Christ's kingship over all creation; the Solemnity of Christ the King was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI
- Open to all students regardless of faith denomination
Sacraments of Initiation and Marriage
Campus Ministry accompanies students through every major life transition of the college years, including entry into the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, completion of Confirmation for already-baptized Catholics, and preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage. Christ the King Chapel also hosts Catholic wedding ceremonies for St. Ambrose students and alumni.
- RCIA — year-round preparation for students wishing to become Catholic, received at Easter
- Confirmation preparation during Lent for baptized Catholic students; received at Easter in the chapel
- Marriage preparation and Catholic wedding ceremonies in Christ the King Chapel for students and alumni
Campus Ministry Staff
Campus Ministry at St. Ambrose is led by a small staff of lay and ordained ministers who together care for the spiritual and sacramental well-being of the university community.
- Director of Campus Ministry: Tammy Norcross-Reitzler, MPT — BA from Clarke College, Master of Pastoral Theology from St. Ambrose University, Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Benedictine Peace Center (Yankton, SD), Pastoral Associate Certification from the Diocese of Davenport, Advanced Professional Certification in Campus Ministry from the Catholic Campus Ministry Association
- Chaplain: Rev. Dale Mallory, MDiv — priest of the Diocese of Davenport, originally from Knoxville, Iowa, with parish experience in Ottumwa and Bloomfield; Master of Divinity from St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Coordinator of Service and Justice: Nicky Gant
- Graduate Assistant for Campus Ministry: Brynn Beenblossom
- 12 Peer Campus Ministers (PCMs) representing campus ministry in the residence halls
Student Faith Groups and Liturgical Ministries
Campus Ministry oversees a wide range of student-led faith-sharing groups, service organizations, and liturgical ministries. Music Ministry enlivens liturgy through student choirs, ensembles, accompanists, instrumentalists, and a praise-and-worship band. Ambrosians for Peace & Justice is a student-led club and outreach of Campus Ministry that meets weekly to focus on service, advocacy, and community building.
- Faith Sharing Groups: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bridge Bible Fellowship, Bible studies
- Music Ministry — choir, ensemble, praise-and-worship band
- Ambrosians for Peace & Justice — weekly meetings for service and advocacy
- Liturgical ministries: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers of the Word, Altar Servers, Sacristans, Ushers and Greeters
- Peer Campus Ministers (PCMs) — meet twice a month for prayer, faith sharing, and planning
Retreats and Service
Retreats and service experiences are central to the formation offered by Campus Ministry. The Antioch Retreat and Busy Student Retreats are facilitated annually, while service trips during winter and spring breaks carry Ambrosians across the country to serve those in need. BeeComing Ambrosian Day introduces new students to community outreach at the very start of their college journey.
- Antioch Retreat
- Busy Student Retreats
- Winter and spring break service trips across the U.S.
- BeeComing Ambrosian Day — annual service and outreach day for new students
Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR)
St. Ambrose was the first campus in Iowa to join Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR). In Fall 2023 the St. Ambrose community welcomed a refugee family, providing free housing, community support, and access to campus facilities. Students participate as volunteers, providing support such as childcare to the family — a direct expression of the university's Catholic and Ambrosian values.
- First Iowa campus to join Every Campus A Refuge
- Welcomed a refugee family Fall 2023
- Student volunteer opportunities including childcare
New Campus Ministry House on Brown Street
With requests for more prayer groups and Bible studies at St. Ambrose, space in Christ the King Chapel and its lounge was at a premium. In February 2025 Fr. Dale Mallory blessed and dedicated a new single-level, two-bedroom house on Brown Street, near campus, as a center for campus ministry. The house offers a living room, study, kitchen, dining room, and two bathrooms, providing privacy for small groups while leaving the chapel's gathering space available for larger activities. Students can reserve the house by scanning a QR code.
- Opened February 2025
- Single-level, two-bedroom house on Brown Street
- Living room, study, kitchen, dining room, two bathrooms
- Available for student prayer groups and Bible studies
- Campus Ministry offices remain in the lower level of Christ the King Chapel
Interfaith Life on Campus
St. Ambrose University explicitly welcomes students of every faith background into the life of the campus. The Grotto on campus is a popular spot for reflection and outdoor Mass when weather allows, and the university provides two interfaith prayer rooms available for daily prayer to students of the Islamic faith as well as those of other religions who prefer to pray somewhere other than Christ the King Chapel.
- Two interfaith prayer rooms available for daily prayer
- The Grotto — popular spot for reflection and outdoor Mass
- All faith-based groups, events, and discussions are inclusive and open to students of any religion
Contact and Getting Involved
Campus Ministry welcomes all students, faculty, and staff — regardless of faith denomination — into its programs and the life of Christ the King Chapel. Students interested in liturgical ministry can sign up on interest cards at the beginning of the academic year or contact the office directly to learn how to get involved.
- Campus Ministry office: Christ the King Chapel, Lower Level
- Phone: 563-333-6132 (Campus Ministry) / 563-333-6151 (Fr. Dale Mallory)
- Email: [email protected]
- Chaplain email: [email protected]
- Website: sau.edu/about-sau/directory/campus-ministry/campus-ministry.php