Diverse people, architecture and houses of worship define Church Row, a historic but ever-changing community close to downtown Waterloo and the John Deere facility. As the name suggests, the neighborhood has a dense cluster of faith organizations formed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. once visited, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and First Congregational Church. The headquarters of the Islamic Foundation of Iowa also operate within the neighborhood, a reflection of the area’s evolving demographics. Between 2010 and 2018, Church Row’s Asian population grew from less than 2% to nearly 20%, according to data from the Church Row Neighborhood Plan, a visioning project from the University of Iowa. The plan outlines many of Church Row’s challenges, including a deteriorating stock of historic homes, though it recognizes the community has a strong contingent of people and organizations committed to a path forward. “It is a very attractive neighborhood for families, for renters and buyers,” says Travis Kraus, who led the Church Row Neighborhood Plan. He serves as an associate professor and the director of the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities at the University of Iowa. “I think it’s a great neighborhood for people who value diversity.”
Church Row boasts historic faith organizations rooted in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Church Row in Waterloo offers historic homes in a peaceful, central location.
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Turn-of-the-century homes in need of repairs
In Church Row, “some houses are just huge,” says Rick Bauer, a lifelong Waterloo resident and broker and owner of Re/Max Home Group. “When you have a town that’s as old as Waterloo, the wealthy doctors, attorneys, bankers lived near downtown where they could ride their horse or walk there.” Buyers here will find grand Victorian homes, brick rowhouses and American Foursquares from the turn of the 20th century in varying states of repair. “Close to downtown has turned into a lot of rentals, though there’s been some redevelopment of properties,” Bauer says. Prices here can start around $50,000 for a townhouse or two-bedroom fixer-upper, while renovated three-bedroom builds rarely exceed $140,000.
Brickrow homes on Church Row blend classic design with the cozy charm of the neighborhood.
Grand Victorian home in Church Row exudes timeless elegance in a prestigious setting.
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Addressing housing insecurity in Church Row
Housing insecurity is an issue here, with 54% of residents paying more than one-third of their income on rent, according to data from the Church Row Neighborhood Plan. “You can see a significant shift from predominantly owner-occupied to renters,” Kraus says. “That changes the character of the neighborhood and also the types of resources available to that neighborhood.” There are many reasons for this shift: many white families moved to suburban enclaves, and a 1980s farm crisis affecting the John Deere facility spurred a further exodus. Investors responded by splitting historic homes into multifamily rental units. Today, Church Row community members and housing advocates are creating opportunities for homeownership and striving to enhance livability. “Habitat for Humanity has done a terrific job in some of our more challenged areas,” Bauer says. “And there is a good community effort to work on these Habitat houses and help people become homeowners.” He says local faith groups and businesses often volunteer to build houses for lower-income families in the area. As of spring 2024, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity had built or rehabilitated more than 60 homes in the Church Row and Walnut neighborhoods.
Enjoy the classic charm of Church Row in Waterloo’s quiet streets.
Church Row features a charming mix of architectural styles in a quaint neighborhood setting.
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Education and play in the Grout Museum District
Church Row’s Washington Park has been a tranquil green space since the mid-1800s. The park offers shaded spots to read or picnic in the grass, as well as a Japanese-style gazebo. Elks Memorial Park has the closest playground, as well as a basketball court.
Neighborhood kids and lifelong learners enjoy proximity to several historic and educational sites, part of the Grout Museum District. The Bluedorn Science Imaginarium has hands-on science exhibits meant for young children, the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum tells military history through local perspectives and the adjoining Grout Museum of History and Science has a popular planetarium show.
The Japanese-style gazebo at Washington Park is a unique spot to enjoy the park's charm.
Discover military history with a local twist at Church Row's Sullivan Brothers Museum.
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Specialty grocers and proximity to downtown Waterloo
Residents here are a couple miles from Hy-Vee, the closest big-box grocery store, though there are a handful of smaller, locally-owned markets within and near the neighborhood. Home cooks can find pan-Asian and some African and Caribbean goods at Hornbill Asian Market or head across U.S. Route 218 for Mexican specialties at La Placita, a grocer and restaurant. Neighborhood eateries include Pick Up N Go, known for generous portions of soul food, El Barco Mexican Seafood Bar and Grill, also locally owned. Down the street, Lighthouse Lounge is a beloved cash-only bar, popular with locals for its pizza and neighborly atmosphere.
Restaurants and bars are also nearby in downtown Waterloo, including The Brown Bottle, a rustic Italian restaurant, and Singlespeed Brewing, housed in the city’s former Wonder Bread factory. Large neon signs adorn the exterior of the building reading "Hostess Cake" and "Home of Wonder Bread."
El Barco in Church Row offers bold Mexican flavors with a focus on fresh, flavorful seafood.
The former Wonder Bread factory, now Singlespeed Brewing, is a Church Row go-to in Waterloo.
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Routes 63 and 218 impede walkability
U.S. Routes 63 and 218 separate homes from the river, a convenience for some journeys, but a hinderance for others. “There were planning-type decisions that were made in the past that contributed to the way the neighborhood grew and evolved and developed,” Kraus says. “The four-lane highway became a barrier to people in the neighborhood.” Church Row is no longer as walkable as it once was, and major employers like John Deere are harder to reach. These conditions have created a car-reliant neighborhood, though bus lines 1 and 8 do stop near many homes.
Church Row offers quick access to U.S. Routes 63 for easy and efficient travel.
U.S. Routes 218 connects Church Row with vibrant local communities and urban amenities.
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Celebrating the city at My Waterloo Days
Between May and October, residents can spend Saturday mornings perusing craft booths and picking out fresh produce at the Waterloo Urban Farmers Market. Downtown events often occur at Lincoln Park just across the river, including My Waterloo Days, a summer tradition started more than 40 years ago. The annual celebration of the city features a weekend of live music, food vendors, kids activities and a parade.
Spend Saturday mornings browsing local crafts in the heart of downtown Waterloo.
Church Row Saturdays are for local crafts and farm-fresh finds at Waterloo's farmers market.
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Irving Elementary is within the neighborhood
Students here begin at Irving Elementary within the neighborhood, rated a C-minus from Niche. Central Middle also has a C-minus, while West High gets a B-minus. Teens can participate in one of several career pathway programs, including arts and business, engineering and health. University of Northern Iowa is a 10-mile drive from Church Row.
Irving Elementary in Waterloo encourages creativity and collaboration among students.
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On average, homes in Church Row, Waterloo sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Church Row, Waterloo over the last 12 months is $65,000, down 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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