Christiansted in St. Croix, Virgin Islands — The Caribbean (The West Indies)
Steeple Building
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 27, 2012
1. Steeple Building Marker
This building was the first Danish Lutheran church on the islandone of the few government buildings not directly involved in international trade. From 1754 to 1831 the Steeple Building was the embodiment of the Danish state religion. All government administrators as well as the forts garrison were required to worship there. Official proclamations, such as the abolition of the Danish slave trade, were read from the pulpit.
Like the Scale House and Guinea Company Warehouse, the Steeple building evolved. Rather than undertake mostly repairs, in 1831 the Lutherans bought the Dutch Reformed church on King Street. There you can see original furnishings from the Steeple Building: the altar, pulpit, chandeliers, baptismal font, and governors box.
The Church of our Lord God of Sabato (the Steeple Buildings official name) has been restored to its ca. 1800 appearance. The yard behind the church was the cemetery for the congregation
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1754.
Location. 17° 44.79′ N, 64° 42.144′ W. Marker is in Christiansted in
this page online
Regionally, it is one of the Lesser Antilles on the Caribbean Sea, in in the Atlantic Ocean, in North America, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Danish Customs House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Christiansvaern (within shouting distance of this marker); Christiansted Wharf (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 12 King Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Jacob Lindberg House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Native American Village and Ceremonial Site (approx. 4.3 miles away); Millennium Monument (approx. 8.9 miles away); Fort Frederik (approx. 12.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Christiansted.
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 27, 2012
2. Steeple Building Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, January 31, 2012
3. Steeple Building Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 855 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 30, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
