About St Paul the Apostle · Davenport, Iowa
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Davenport, Iowa, belonging to the Diocese of Davenport. Founded in 1909 from territory taken from Sacred Heart and St. Anthony's parishes, it is located at 916 E. Rusholme Street on the north side of the city. The parish is served by Fr. Bruce DeRammelaere and a lay staff that supports a wide range of ministries, daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic adoration, and a parish school that has educated local children since 1926.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Bruce DeRammelaere
- Diocese
- Diocese of Davenport
Why belong here
St. Paul the Apostle is an active parish that lives out its motto of "Building Community — Sharing the Gospel — Growing in Faith" through daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic adoration, and a deep bench of formation opportunities for every age. Parishioners can join Small Church Communities, OCIA (for those becoming Catholic), adult faith formation, youth ministry, marriage preparation, and a long-running Catholic school that has earned national recognition. Strong outreach programs, a livestreamed daily Mass ministry, and a welcoming staff of directors for Discipleship, Evangelization, Parish Life, Faith Formation, and Development make it easy for newcomers and long-time Catholics alike to plug in.
Mass times at St Paul the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 9:30 – 10:30 am
- Lenten all-area confessions (examples published by the parish): April 8, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral; April 10, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes
Adoration times
- Every Wednesday, 4:30 – 5:30 pm (not in Lent)
- First Friday of the month, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- During Lent on Fridays, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm Eucharistic Adoration
Parish History
St. Paul the Apostle was organized in February 1909 from territory taken from Sacred Heart and St. Anthony's parishes. Bishop Davis assigned Rev. Charles J. Donohoe — a St. Ambrose College and St. Paul's Seminary graduate — to form the new congregation. The cornerstone was laid July 4, 1909; the first Mass was celebrated December 12, 1909; and the church was dedicated June 18, 1911. Growth was so rapid that by 1915 the church had been more than doubled in size. Fr. Donohoe remained the founding pastor for decades and was named a Monsignor by Pope Pius XI in 1929.
- Parish organized February 1909
- Cornerstone laid July 4, 1909
- First Mass celebrated December 12, 1909
- Church dedicated June 18, 1911
- Enlarged to more than double its original size by 1915 (seating capacity ~650)
- Founder Fr. Charles J. Donohoe made Monsignor, October 20, 1929
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School
The parish school has provided Catholic education on the parish campus for nearly a century, opening in 1926 under the direction of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with about 260 students. Additions in the late 1950s and early 1960s grew the school to roughly 450 students, where enrollment has remained. A 1996 renovation added a media center, science lab, and band/music room, and a 2018 capital campaign added an elevator, security entrance, electrical system, theater sound system, and updated bathrooms. In September 2011 the school was designated a National Blue Ribbon School.
- Opened 1926 with the Sisters of Charity of the BVM
- Original enrollment ~260 students
- Additions in 1928, late 1950s and early 1960s
- 1996 renovation: media center, science lab, band/music room
- 2018 capital campaign: elevator, security entrance, electrical, sound, bathrooms
- Designated a National Blue Ribbon School in September 2011
- Current principal: Ethan Connors
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full catechetical program for children and adults. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides religious instruction for parish children, while the school offers a daily Religion curriculum, weekly all-school Mass, sacramental preparation, prayer buddies, May Crowning, Advent prayer services, Stations of the Cross, and regular Reconciliation opportunities. Adults can join OCIA (Becoming Catholic), Come to Me adult faith formation, the Small Church Communities 'Source and Summit' program, the Together in Holiness series with the St. John Paul II Foundation, and Household of Faith evenings.
- Director of Faith Formation: Madeline Dudziak
- Director of Discipleship: Brett Adams
- Director of Evangelization: Janela McCarty
- Co-Director of O.C.I.A.: Michael Havercamp
- Come to Me adult faith formation
- Source and Summit Small Church Communities
- Together in Holiness marriage enrichment series
Youth & Family Ministry
St. Paul the Apostle runs a youth ministry for high school students that includes discipleship groups, retreats, and the Steubenville encounter. The parish also offers Marriage Preparation grounded in the Witness to Love mentor-couple renewal movement, designed to walk engaged couples alongside a married mentor couple.
- High school discipleship groups
- Steubenville retreat participation
- Witness to Love marriage preparation
- Permission/registration forms for youth events and retreats
Lenten & Holy Week Devotions
The parish publishes a clear Lenten rhythm each year. Wednesday evenings include 5:30 pm Mass followed by a Soup Supper in Denning Hall and Faith Learning in the Gathering Space. Friday Lenten days include 7:00 am – 5:00 pm Eucharistic Adoration, 3:00 pm Sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and 5:30 pm Stations of the Cross. All-area Lenten Confessions are coordinated at nearby parishes such as Sacred Heart Cathedral and Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Lenten Wednesdays: 5:30 pm Mass, 6:00 pm Soup Supper, 6:30 pm Faith Learning
- Lenten Fridays: 7 am–5 pm Adoration, 3 pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 5:30 pm Stations
- Holy Thursday Mass: 6:30 pm
- Good Friday: 3:00 pm Stations, 6:30 pm Liturgy
- Holy Saturday Easter Vigil: 8:30 pm
- Easter Sunday: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
Our Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Fr. Bruce DeRammelaere as pastor and supported by Deacon Bob Shaw. A lay team directs Discipleship, Evangelization, Faith Formation, Parish Life, Music, Development, Finance, and Facilities, along with the school principal.
- Fr. Bruce DeRammelaere — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Bob Shaw — Deacon
- Brett Adams — Director of Discipleship
- Dr. Jacob Bancks — Director of Music
- Madeline Dudziak — Director of Faith Formation
- Michael Havercamp — Co-Director of O.C.I.A.
- Janela McCarty — Director of Evangelization
- Michelle Herrington — Director of Parish Life
- Julie Delaney — Director of Development
- Ali Franco — Finance Manager
- Scott Boche — Facilities Manager
- Jeanne Sodawasser — Secretary
- Ethan Connors — School Principal
Parish Outreach & Service
St. Paul the Apostle's school and parish community partner on several service projects throughout the year. These outreach efforts are designed to teach students servant leadership and to extend the parish's care beyond its own walls.
- Project Renewal
- Café on Vine
- Shriner's pop-top program
- Birthright donations
- Student church envelopes to encourage regular giving
- Altar serving by school students
Livestream & Online Giving
Daily Masses and one weekend Mass are livestreamed on the parish's Facebook page, allowing homebound, sick, or traveling parishioners to remain connected. The website also links to online giving for tithing and stewardship.
- Sunday Mass livestream: 9:00 AM
- Daily Mass livestream: Mon & Fri 6:30 AM; Tue & Thu 8:30 AM
- No Facebook account required to view
- Online giving available via parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles J. Donohoe1909 – c. 1930s+
Founding pastor of the parish; graduate of St. Ambrose College and St. Paul's Seminary (Saint Paul, MN); served as director and secretary-treasurer of St. Vincent's Orphanage Home; raised to Monsignor (domestic prelate) by Pope Pius XI on October 20, 1929.