Sioux City History and Culture by Bicycle Part 113: William LaBarthe Steele Part 8: Sioux City Baptist Church

Sioux City Baptist Church was formely called 1st Congregational Church. It is also known as the church with the white dome. Designed by William L. Steele a dome was not a typical design on a Christian church. This church building is unique in that is was designed and built with one. Located at the corner of 13th and Nebraska Streets the building is a Prairie School design, with the exception of the dome.

At a cost of $80,000 to build the new church, the cornerstone for the church was laid on January 12, 1917, the first anniversary of the fire of the original church that was located at 8th and Nebraska Streets. The cornerstone is from the original 1889 structure that was destroyed in the fire and likely the only surviving piece.

The original 1889 building was the first of the large church buildings constructed in Sioux City. Though not designed by William L Steele the readers of this blog will see the impressive collection of large church buildings Steele either designed or designed a remodel.

The former 1st Congregation Church, current Sioux City Baptist Church is on the National Register of Historic Places:
Sioux City Baptist Church ** (added 1979 - Building - #79000953)
1301 Nebraska Ave., Sioux City
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Steele,William
Architectural Style: Prairie School
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Religion
Historic Sub-function: Religious Structure
Current Function: Religion
Current Sub-function: Religious Structure

Digital scan of the article from the Sioux City Daily Tribune January 13, 1917 page 11:


Digital scans of an article called an Architectural Gem and a drawing from the thesis Sermons in Stone:




Photo's of the church as it looks today: