Steilacoom Tribal Cultural Center — Attraction in Steilacoom

In 1883, the Oberlin Church was established in the Town of Steilacoom (incorporated in 1854 when Port Steilacoom and Steilacoom City merged). It had eight charter members including its pastor Arthur Burnell and his wife, both attendees of Oberlin College in Ohio.

This Oberlin Congregational Church followed the 1853 Methodist Episcopal Church, the first Protestant church built north of the Columbia River. The Methodist Church was abandoned in 1875.

It also followed the 1863 Immaculate Conception Mission when the Catholic Sisters of Providence moved into the Catholic Church building that was moved from Fort Steilacoom (built by soldiers at Fort Steilacoom in 1857) to the city of Steilacoom. This historic 1857 building now holds the Church of the Immaculate Conception..

The Oberlin Church purchased a vacant Presbyterian Mission building in 1883 where it originally held services. In 1902, it voted to build a new church. This historic 1902 building now houses the Steilacoom Tribal Cultural Center.

The two story wooden structure with a steeple was built using the timbers by dismantling its first church building. It reportedly also used timber from the nearby abandoned 1854 Protestant Church.

In 1960, the Oberlin congregation voted to build another new church. Afterwards, it re-named itself as the Steilacoom Community Church.

The historic 1902 Oberlin Church building became the Steilacoom Tribal Cultural Center and Museum in 1987 (?). Exhibits trace the history of the Steilacoom Tribe. Currently classified as an extinct tribe by the National Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Steilacoom Nation disagrees. Here, one can support the Steilacoom Tribe and also its continued funding for restoration of the historic...

Went there today. For $1 (cash, they do not accept debit or credit cards), I had tour of the upstairs and downstairs by a kind and knowledgeable man. There are some treasures here - bead work, baskets, old pipes and other items from this area. I will bring cash next time, as there are pieces of jewelry that are hand made and beautiful. I enjoyed my...

A great tribute to the Steilacoom People. Take the time to visit so you can learn and have your...