Historical Papers
- "The History of St. John's," by Robert and Margaret Dowling (pdf)
- "The Stained Glass of St. John's," by Alice Bowers (pdf)
8th Rector, 1871-1911
Rev. Robert C. McIlwain
Rectors of the Parish
Otis Hackett, 1850-1853
George Denison, 1853-1857
Joseph Trapnell, 1858-1861
Robert Jope, 1861-1865
Henry Woods, 1866-1867
Jonas Green, 1867-1869
William Henderson, 1869-1871
Robert C. McIlwain, 1871-1911
John Charles Sage, 1911-1918
William Lamont, 1918-1945
Gerald Graham, 1945-1951
Clyde Jardine, 1952-1966
Donald Baustian 1967-1981
Alan Herbst 1982-1986
Greg Riley 1986-1992
Keith Emerson 1993-1996
Bruce Flickinger 1997-1999
Bruce D. Blois 2002-2007
The mission church of St. John's was organized April 20, 1850 by the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, Missionary Bishop of the Northwest. The first rector was the Rev. Otis Hackett (1850-1853). Services were held in members' homes, mainly in the home of Edward Kilbourn. The first church building was consecrated on August 29, 1851.
Construction on the present building, designed by H. M. Stephenson and Daniel Appleton of Boston, was begun on June 5, 1884. It is one of the most outstanding and best preserved examples of late 19th century ecclesiastical architecture in Keokuk, and the only one that combines Gothic Revival detailing with Richardsonian Romanesque form and massing. It is the oldest Episcopal Church of cruciform construction in Iowa. The church is 118 feet long and 48 feet high. The nave is 54 feet wide and at the arms of the cross, 82 feet wide.
The first service was held February 12, 1888; it was consecrated January 4, 1891. The present parish hall was added in 1895. Both are built of limestone with a slate roof.
The 75-foot bell tower houses the bell, which was moved from the original church in 1885. It was the first bell to be rung by an Episcopal Church in Iowa. It is one of the only two items moved from the original church when the present structure was built, including the baptismal font in the narthex, which was carved of limestone by William Bawden.
The Rev. Robert C. McIlwain was rector of St. John's for 40 years and much of the credit for the building of this struction is due to his persistence, energy, and leadership.
An outstanding feature of St. John's is the more than 40 stained glass windows. There are seven companies represented, including the well-known Mayer of Munich Glass Company, Germany, Tiffany Studios, New York, and the modern Wippell Company of Exeter, England. These companies have provided an exceptional gallery of stained glass windows. Many of the windows were installed during construction, so they have been in place for over 100 years. Others have been added over the years, with the most recent during the 1970's.
A unique feature of the decor is the woodcarving, crafted by William Bartels of Carthage, IL. The carvings include the reredos, the altar, altar rail, chancel screen, and pew ends. The front of the altar has 3 panels: the grapes symbolizing the wine, the wheat symbolizing the bread, and in the center panel, a bas relief of Christ carrying the cross to Calvary. Bartels was said to have considered this to be his masterpiece and it is signed by the artist. The present organ was built in 1965 by the Temple Organ Company of Lamoni, IA. There are 22 registers, 27 ranks, and 1520 pipes. There is an echo or processional organ in the rear of the Nave.
The rectory, located next to the church was completed on February 7, 1913, during the tenure of the Rev. John Charles Sage, who was later elected Bishop of West Kansas. The rectory is known as Sage House.