The Arch's History

The Arch is a bridge between two worlds, a sign of hope.

In 1967, Sr. Marjorie Wisor, OSF, a Clinton Franciscan, was studying French in Paris, France. Her mother superior, Sr. Cortona, asked Sr. Marjorie to look up a man named Jean Vanier and ask him to speak at the Federation of Franciscans. He declined saying that he spoke only to groups which included "marginal people."

A year later, Sr. Marjorie visited Trosly, the village with the first L'Arche community. She says the visit left a great impression on her, "as I felt layers of me being stripped away as the handicapped people met me person-to-person. There were no barriers. Our 'persons' met at the deepest level."

In February 1972, Sr. Cortona asked Sr. Marjorie to attend a talk by Jean Vanier in Chicago and to ask him to give another retreat. During this visit, Sr. Marjorie asked Jean if she could work at the Trosly community that summer. She volunteered ten weeks in Trosly and was taken.

After the summer visit, Sr. Marjorie made a retreat given by Jean Vanier in Cleveland and attended a day of reflection in Chicago where she watched a L'Arche video entitled If you're not there, you're missed. She showed the video to her Franciscan sisters, when Fr. Mottet of the Davenport Catholic Diocesan office of Social Services was visiting. Fr. Mottet expressed concern over the closing of the Scott County Home leaving 50 adults with cognitive disabilities without a home.

Sr. Marjorie and Fr. Mottet began pursuing the possibility of opening a L'Arche community in Davenport, but difficulties persisted. However, Chet Swanson, director of Skyline Corporation, which serves persons with developmental disabilities in Clinton, suggested that Sr. Marjorie start a home there instead.

She met with the County Board of Supervisors, established a board of directors and found funding. The First Presbyterian Church offered the use of their house, which is still in use today.

On June 5, 1974 - the eve of opening day - Gerry Potter became the first core member to walk through the doors of The Arch. (He died on June 20, 1997.) Jim Kelleher (also deceased) arrived during breakfast on June 6.

Sr. Marjorie Wisor echoes Jean Vanier's belief: "The Arch was not my project. It was God's."