St. Mary's Academy

St. Mary's Academy is a three-story red brick school building in the West End of Davenport with stone bands above the windows and decorative brickwork along the roofline. The structure features symmetrical pavilions with parapet gables and a cast iron main entrance decorated with art glass panels.

The building was constructed between 1871 and 1884 under Reverend Michael Flavin's direction as an educational facility for St. Mary's Catholic Church. Following its original purpose, it later changed function and became a residential space serving the community.

The Sisters of Mercy shaped how the building was used after it became a residence for older women and young working women in Davenport. Their presence left a mark on how the community views this place and its role in the neighborhood.

The building is now private apartments and can be viewed from the outside, but does not offer public access to the interior. The best view comes from the street in front, where you can see the full facade and the distinctive entrance clearly.

A statue of the Virgin Mary sits in a niche at the peak of the entrance tower and is one of the building's most distinctive features. This religious symbol still shapes the external appearance and serves as a reminder of the place's Catholic heritage.

Location: Iowa

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 41.52778,-90.59389

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:41