Sioux City Army Air Base / Chapel history
‘Planning and development of the Sioux City Army Air Base began in February of 1942 only two months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Between March and November of 1942 Peter Kiewit and Sons’ Company of Omaha, Nebraska built hundreds of buildings at the new base including barracks, a hospital, mess halls, warehouses, hangars, a post office, a theater, a school, chapels, a fire station, a control tower, and numerous other structures. The Sioux City Army Airbase officially opened in July of 1942 and began welcoming thousands of enlisted military and officers for training aboard B-17 “Flying Fortresses,” B-24 “Liberators,” and later B-29 “Flying Superfortresses.” After the end of World War II, the Air Base was closed in November of 1945.
One of the last remaining structures of the former Air Base was Building 105-Chapel 2. The chapel was primarily used by Catholic servicepeople and later functioned as a multi-denominational religious and community center.
In 1946, after the end of WWII, the United States Department of Defense, wanted to retain the skills of pilots and have a corps of reservists in the event of a national disaster. As a result, the 174th Fighter Squadron was assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard based at the former Sioux City Army Airbase. Between 1946 and 1962 growth at the Airbase continued and Sioux City was chosen as the headquarters of the U. S. Air Force 30th Air Division, the 185th Fighter Group, and a S.A.G.E. (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) facility. With a burgeoning military population, over 200 Capehart Houses were built at the Airbase and in Sergeant Bluff between 1956 and 1959. In an effort lead by Indiana Senator, Homer Capehart, over 200,000 single and multi-family houses and were built across the United States between 1956 and 1962 to improve living conditions for military personnel. These nineteen houses, used by the military until 1969, are representative of both the single family and duplex forms of Capehart houses.
Photos
One of many services
A wedding, image taken in the mid-1940’s.
Servicemen
Exercising behind Chapel 2.
Gathering
Outside Chapel 2.
Hospital Courtyard
Both Chapels on base are visible in this image. Chapel 2 is on the right side.
Renovations
Base Signage
Taken in the 1960’s with Chapel 2 Building in background.
Renovation in 1968
Chapel 2 Building 105.
Closure
November 4, 2025
Service of Thanksgiving and Closure for the Chapel. On this date, a service for the public was lead by Rev. Andrew Nelson, Brigadier General Ret. Lawrence Christiansen, and Mayor Pro-Tem Dan Moore. The retirement of colors were provided by the Sergeant Bluff American Legion Post 662.
Remarks
Mayor Pro-Tem Dan Moore, providing remarks inside the Chapel at the Closing Ceremony.
Clergy
Rev Andrew Nelson, Morningside University/185th ARW Chaplain, Rev Lloyd Grant, Central Baptist, and Rev Mark Stoll, Sioux City Diocese participated in the Closing Ceremony of Chapel 2 Building 105.