New hospitality at the Bishop's House

by: Heather Venema
Editor-in-Chief

While the saying ‘home is where your heart is’ constitutes various meanings for people, a welcomed addition to the St. Ambrose family takes the anecdote to a whole new level.

After graduating from St. Ambrose in 1970, Gil Cervelli has returned to his collegiate roots with his wife MaryElise. But you won’t find either of them in the classroom this time around.

They are the new innkeepers of The Bishop’s House Inn, the St. Ambrose University bed and breakfast located at 1527 Brady Street.

While a student at St. Ambrose, Gil was an RA under President Rogalski, who then served as dean of students. Gil also was a photographer for “The Paper SAC”, the student newspaper. Once he graduated, the business major worked in the development office for the university, until he went to work locally as a sales rep for American Greetings, which eventually moved him to Houston, Texas.

And who would have guessed that there he would meet his future wife: a high school foreign language teacher working part-time for American Greetings named MaryElise.

The couple finally settled in Wheaton, IL, where Gil operated two photography studios and MaryElise worked at a hospital managing over 500 volunteers. Their son Gil is a current senior at St. Ambrose, and the Cervellis got their first exposure to the inn when they stayed there during a visit Gil’s freshman year.

For twenty years the family lived and worked in a community they had wholly integrated themselves in – but when the innkeeper position opened up that all changed.

“We had always said what a gorgeous house [The Bishop’s House Inn] was,” MaryElise said. “Then to have this cool opportunity fall into our laps has been a real-life fairy tale.”

“Our friends and family were stunned we would leave a community we’ve impacted on for 20 years,” Gil said. “But I’ve got a challenge to begin meeting people again and re-invigorate myself.” Although MaryElise is technically listed as the innkeeper, the two work in tandem to provide the best possible experience for their guests.

“I feel this tremendous responsibility,” MaryElise said. “I like to call it egg-stress.”

As part of her duties, MaryElise prepares breakfast every morning for her guests, and takes care of readying the rooms, in addition to a mosaic of other guest services.

“I like making a late-night snack with fruit and a cookie, or baking so the whole house smells up.”

Bobbi Rogalski, director of the inn, says that MaryElise has already attended some staff assembly meetings to become active with the university.

“She’s going to become an integral part of the campus community,” Rogalski said. “Nothing in life makes her happier than giving people a comfortable, positive experience.”

Rogalski says The Bishop’s House Inn can offer a complete hospitality package to anyone coming to SAU. Even though many lecturers and job candidates have taken temporary residence on Brady Street, the inn is open to the surrounding community.

The Cervellis say that guests have also included couples that enjoy B&B’s, or individuals that will be spending some time in the Quad City area. For a while, the inn housed a Haitian artist while he installed his display at the Figge.

“I like meeting different people and hearing their stories,” MaryElise said. “I enjoy being the caretaker of the house, but what I enjoy most is caring for people.”

“We’ve reinvented ourselves,” Gil said.

The inn was constructed in 1870 with the help of an architect from Chicago, and features five rooms and a suite. At one point, the Davenport Diocese owned the building, which housed Bishops Davis and Rohlman.

After selling the house to the Franciscan Sisters in Clinton, the house passed through several more owners before being purchased by St. Ambrose University 10 years ago.

Bobbi Rogalski and John Morrissey, the former physical plant director, worked on the building to prepare it for use. Previous innkeepers include Carol and Bob Wolf, and Judy and Tom Callahan, who have been the innkeepers for the last six years.

“If there’s one thing that this has taught us, it’s that life is a journey,” Gil said. “You never know where you’re going to end up.”

Seconds MaryElise, “I’m sure some people think we’re crazy to be doing this, but this life is no dress rehearsal – it’s for real. And I’m loving every minute of it.”