The origins of the 1st Baptist Church in St. Joseph begin in a little log church that was purchased from the Presbyterians in 1845 and served as their place of worship until 1852.  Their next church was built on the southwest corner of sixth and Francis and they began holding services there in 1856.  During the Civil War this building was occupied by the Union Army.  In 1897 the congregation moved from this location to their present location at 13th and Francis, but the Sanctuary was not opened until June of 1901.

The sanctuary is the first major Neo-Medieval auditorium style church in Saint Joseph and was designed by E.J. Eckel in the Romanesque Revival Style.  Three sets of large stained glass windows on the eastern wall of the sanctuary flood the space with rainbows of light.  The windows were designed by Paul Wolff of Kansas City Stained Glass Company.

The coffered barrel vault ceiling of the Sanctuary is finished in white oak which oral tradition claims arrived by boat via the Missouri River.  The organ has a roman style case with gold colored organ pipes that stretch across the front of the sanctuary. 

Go back to 13th street. Cross 13th and turn to the right to find the Boteler Flats at 115 South 13th.