About Us
History of St.
Thomas Episcopal Church
The
Episcopalian religion has played a part in Siouxland life for
140 years. In 1857, a missionary from Council Bluff, Iowa
conducted the first Episcopalian service. St. Thomas was
incorporated two years later, and a frame church was built on
the corner of Nebraska and 7th street in 1860. The church we
attend today was built in 1892.
In 1881, the church was enlarged, and the rectory was built. An organ was purchased for $1,550, the same amount it cost to build the original church!
In 1891, the cornerstone of our church was laid at the corner of 12th and Douglas. The church was completed in 1892. This time, the church cost about $80,000 -- quite a change -- and, at a 3% rate of inflation, the equivalent of $2,148,383.74 million today.
In 1909, we celebrated our 50th anniversary by purchasing an organ. Weare Chapel was built in a former "robing room" thanks to a legacy.
In 1915, the church mortgage was burned. In 1922, a fire from an overheated furnace caused extensive damage. The Church was extensively rebuilt and a new organ was purchased. The church was not remodeled again until 1951, when a new heating plant was installed and the Chancel and Narthex were redecorated.
In the early sixties, the Parish House was built and a new Rectory purchased. However, the Parish House mortgage burned in 1963. In 1968, the "Yellow House" directly behind the church was purchased.
In 1980, Weare Chapel is restored under the direction of Mr. Howard Tervillian, the Architect in Residence for the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. In 1982, renovation of the main church building is completed and St.Thomas celebrates 125 years of Episcopal presence in Sioux City.
The eighties were a period of maintenance, with new roofing for the church as well as the purchase of two houses that were then torn down to make more parking available to members.
In 1992, we celebrated our centennial and W. Verdery Kerr became the Rector of St. Thomas. We enjoyed a year long celebration of our 100th year. We also formed a long range planning committee to begin looking to the future. In 1995, we relocated the Thrift Shoppe to 1209-1211 Pierce Street and 1996 saw the beginning of the renovation of Rooke Hall.
About the Episcopal ChurchThe
Episcopalian religion has played a part in Siouxland life for
140 years. In 1857, a missionary from Council Bluff, Iowa
conducted the first Episcopalian service. St. Thomas was
incorporated two years later, and a frame church was built on
the corner of Nebraska and 7th street in 1860. The church we
attend today was built in 1892.In 1881, the church was enlarged, and the rectory was built. An organ was purchased for $1,550, the same amount it cost to build the original church!
In 1891, the cornerstone of our church was laid at the corner of 12th and Douglas. The church was completed in 1892. This time, the church cost about $80,000 -- quite a change -- and, at a 3% rate of inflation, the equivalent of $2,148,383.74 million today.
In 1909, we celebrated our 50th anniversary by purchasing an organ. Weare Chapel was built in a former "robing room" thanks to a legacy.
In 1915, the church mortgage was burned. In 1922, a fire from an overheated furnace caused extensive damage. The Church was extensively rebuilt and a new organ was purchased. The church was not remodeled again until 1951, when a new heating plant was installed and the Chancel and Narthex were redecorated.
In the early sixties, the Parish House was built and a new Rectory purchased. However, the Parish House mortgage burned in 1963. In 1968, the "Yellow House" directly behind the church was purchased.
In 1980, Weare Chapel is restored under the direction of Mr. Howard Tervillian, the Architect in Residence for the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. In 1982, renovation of the main church building is completed and St.Thomas celebrates 125 years of Episcopal presence in Sioux City.
The eighties were a period of maintenance, with new roofing for the church as well as the purchase of two houses that were then torn down to make more parking available to members.
In 1992, we celebrated our centennial and W. Verdery Kerr became the Rector of St. Thomas. We enjoyed a year long celebration of our 100th year. We also formed a long range planning committee to begin looking to the future. In 1995, we relocated the Thrift Shoppe to 1209-1211 Pierce Street and 1996 saw the beginning of the renovation of Rooke Hall.
The Episcopal Church is the most democratic of all denominations in Christianity. As such, we provide a lot of room for a variety of opinions and convictions (which can at times be at odds).
For instance, worship services give a crucial role to the people present, who are seen to be more important than the clergy who preside over worship occasions. Numerous speaking and singing roles are accorded a congregation. Various sources are used (prayer book, hymnal, bulletin, etc...) to sustain attention and participation. Our intent is to worship God together (body, mind, soul) as much as we can possibly summon. Sometimes, we are encouraged to stand, sit or kneel so we become engaged with God physically as well as mentally and spiritually.
Members are not expected to accept a particular view of God, of Jesus, or of some pressing contemporary issue. Sermons are not mandates to be or do a certain way; rather behavior and attitudes are directed to be in accordance with conscience and our relationships with God. Sermonizers rarely, if ever, presume that they speak absolutely for God. There is the humility that a message from God can arise from a member in a pew just as from a preacher in a pulpit.
The Episcopal Church does not ask that our brains or our hearts be set aside at the entrance before coming into Church. We are not particularly concerned with what happens to people after death. We entrust to God that determination. We do take with ultimate seriousness the conduct of our lives on earth. This position is best illustrated by our belief that hell is not something the Lord does to us, but is the consequence of our turning away from God.
For guidance, we turn to four distinct avenues where God reveals what we are to do/how we are to live. These serve to correct and balance tendencies to error when one is accorded more prominence than the others.
1. First, the Bible is a record of God's faithfulness and partnership with believers centuries before us. There is the record as well of their courage and cowardice in regard to this faith of God.
2. Second, tradition serves to give the teachings and customs of the Church since the years encompassed by the Scripture. These are applications of Christianity to changing times and circumstances. For instance, the Bible does not assume the possibility of nuclear war and does not challenge the practice of slavery.
3. Third, human reason is seen as a means by which the will of God is brought to bear upon daily life. The Holy Spirit can surface through the workings of our minds.
4. Fourth, experience is another way the presence of God is brought forth into our lives. Thus, we see that God is revealed to us from within us and outside us. There is no one way that suffices for all.
We invite people to be intent about their relationship with God and disciplined about living. The comfort, support and strength given one another in the Church are cherished gifts. We are a setting of mutual respect with ample room for you to pursue your living/working with others and relationship with God at your own pace. Come join our place of blessing and encouragement!
We, the
family of St. Thomas', in our diversity, respond to God's love through
worship, prayer and celebration. We do the work of Jesus Christ by
sharing our talents,
resources and knowledge among ourselves and with our neighbors. We embrace the challenge of change to foster growth in our people and our place in the community.
resources and knowledge among ourselves and with our neighbors. We embrace the challenge of change to foster growth in our people and our place in the community.
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1200
Douglas Street 
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