Then and Now: Coeur d'Alene's oldest standing building

Constructed in 1880, the Fort Sherman Chapel is Coeur d’Alene’s oldest church, school, library and meeting hall — and the city’s oldest standing building. 

Like many historic sites in Coeur d’Alene, the chapel faced an uncertain future and multiple changes of ownership before it was finally donated to the Museum of North Idaho in 1984, guaranteeing its upkeep and preservation. After Fort Sherman was decommissioned in 1900, the chapel sat vacant until it and other decommissioned Fort Sherman buildings and lands were sold in 1905. The chapel was home to multiple denominations before being acquired by the museum and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.  

Today, the former Fort Sherman grounds are home to North Idaho College. The chapel itself can be rented as an event venue, the proceeds of which go to the site's general fund for continued maintenance and preservation.  

    Today, the Chapel continues to be well-maintained to ensure its preservation. Photo by Hailey Hill/Press