USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume I > Part 71
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The church history of Colorado is best told by denominations, and in the following pages the facts narrated are either written or supplied by leading mem- bers of each sect.
The growth of the churches of Colorado, in edifices and membership, has been accurately recorded in the decennial census returns. Colorado had in 1890, 647 church organizations, with 463 edifices. These were valued at $4,743,317. The communicants numbered 86,837, which was 21.07 per cent of the popula- tion. In 1906 it had 1,261 church organizations and 956 church edifices; church property valued at $7,723,200, and 205,666 communicants, an increase over 1890 of 118,829.
In 1910, the date of the last Federal census the records by denominations follow :
The Seventh Day Adventists had thirteen church organizations, two churches, and 414 communicants. Of the other five branches of the Adventist Church none was represented in Colorado when the last census was taken.
The so-called "Regular" Baptists, whose Colorado history is narrated in these chapters, had in 1910, fifty-four organizations, forty church edifices, and 4,944 communicants. Of all the other Baptist bodies, the Regular (South), the Sev- enth Day, Free Will, Original Free Will, General, Separate, United, Baptist Church of Christ, Primitive, Old Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian, there was no representation in Colorado in 1910.
The Plymouth Brethren, who have no houses of worship, had four organiza- tions in Colorado in 1910, with a membership of seventy. Of these four organi- zations each belonged to one of the four distinct sects of Plymouth Brethren in the United States.
The Catholics in 1910 had 110 organizations in Colorado, ninety-four church edifices, and 47,III communicants.
The Christadelphians, a religious sect founded by Dr. John Thomas about 1845, had two organizations, with sixteen communicants, in Colorado in 1910.
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HISTORY OF COLORADO
The Christian Scientists in 1910 had four organizations in Colorado and 147 members.
The Christian Union Church had in 1910 twelve organizations in Colorado and 571 communicants.
The Church Triumphant (Schweinfurth) had in 1910 two organizations in Colorado, one church edifice, and forty-one members.
In 1910 there were in Colorado forty-nine Congregational churches, thirty- eight edifices, and 3,217 communicants.
The Disciples of Christ also called Christians had in 1910 thirty-one church organizations, eighteen church edifices, and 2,400 communicants in Colorado.
Of the Dunkards Colorado in 1910 had one church with 110 communicants, who are known as "The Conservative Brethren," and one church with seventeen communicants of "The Progressive Brethren."
The Evangelical Association (in doctrine and polity Methodist) had three organizations in Colorado in 1910, one church edifice and eight-seven communi- cants.
The Friends had in 1910 one church organization, one edifice and thirty-eight members in Colorado.
The German Evangelical Synod of North America had in 1910 two organi- zations, one edifice and 135 communicants in Colorado.
The Orthodox Jews in 1910 had in Colorado four organizations, three church edifices, and 662 members. The Reformed Jews had one organization, one church edifice, and 400 members.
The Mormon Church in 1910 had three church organizations in Colorado, three edifices and 1,640 communicants.
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had in 1910 five organizations in Colorado, one church edifice and 122 members.
There were in Colorado in 1910 twenty-one Lutheran Church organizations, fourteen church buildings, and 1,208 communicants. Of these, seven churches belonged to the General Synod, seven to the General Council, six to the Synodical Conference, and one to the Norwegian Church in America.
The Amish Mennonites had one organization, one church edifice and seventy- five members in Colorado in 1910.
There were in 1910 ninety Methodist Episcopal organizations in Colorado, with seventy-seven church edifices and 8,580 members. The African Methodist Episcopal Church had eight organizations, six edifices, and 788 members. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had in 1910, twenty-six church organizations, sixteen church buildings and 1,299 communicants. The Free Methodists in 1910 had twenty-two church organizations, eighteen church edifices and 203 communi- cants. The total of all Methodists in the state in 1910 was 10,870, with 146 or- ganizations and 117 church edifices.
There were in 1910 in Colorado a total of eighty-eight Presbyterian church organizations, sixty-nine church edifices, and 6,968 communicants. The Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America (Northern) had seventy-four church organizations, fifty-six church edifices, and 5,902 members. The Cumber- land Presbyterians had five churches and 231 members. The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church had one church edifice and 156 communicants.
The United Presbyterians had in 1910 five church edifices, and 537 members.
THE "BAPTIST DUG-OUT"
The basement story of a projected church edifice in Denver, which was constructed on the northeast corner of Sixteenth and Curtis Streets in 1867, by the pioneer Baptist organization in that city. Building funds having been exhausted the basement was roofed rudely and used by the congregation for several years as a place of worship, and in 1872-73 was occupied on week days by a public school. Because of its primitive appearance the structure became commonly known as the "Baptist Dug-out." The congregation did not complete the building, but sold the property and erected a church in another part of the city in 1873.
636
HISTORY OF COLORADO
The Reformed Presbyterians had three organizations, two edifices, and 142 mem- bers in Colorado.
The Protestant Episcopal Church in America had in 1910 in Colorado fifty- two organizations, forty-four church edifices, and 3,814 members.
The Reformed Church in the United States had in 1910 one church edifice and thirty-five members in Colorado.
The Salvation Army had in 1910 ten organizations in Colorado, one hall, and 214 communicants.
The Spiritualists had in 1910 two organizations, with 275 members in Colorado.
The United Brethren in Christ had in Colorado in 1910, eighteen church or- ganizations, eight church edifices and 585 members.
The Unitarians in 1910 had in Colorado four church organizations, two edifices, and 644 members.
The Universalists had one church organization in Colorado in 1910, with fifteen members.
THE BAPTISTS OF COLORADO
The first Baptist Church in Colorado was established at Denver, September . 25, 1860, with a membership of twenty-seven. These pioneers called this first organization the Rocky Mountain Baptist Church. Elder James Ripley was called to the pastorate, and J. Saxton and M. A. Clarke were the first deacons. Robert S. Roe was the first chief clerk. The congregation obtained the use of 'the courthouse from the owner, Judge Buchanan, free of charge. The mem- bers, however, soon scattered into various camps, and in 1861 the organization failed. In its best days, however, it not alone sustained the church but a Sun- day school with nearly a hundred members.
The records of the First Baptist Church in Golden show that it was estab- lished about August 1, 1863, and this justly claims to be the oldest existing Bap- tist church in Colorado.
On December 27, 1863, the first meeting of those interested in the organiza- tion of a permanent Baptist Church in Denver was held, and a committee ap- pointed at this time secured the United States court room on Ferry Street for . its services. Rev. Walter M. Potter, who had been sent to the territory at this time by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, officiated.
On May 2, 1864, the First Baptist Church of Denver was organized. with the following members: Rev. Walter M. Potter, Miss Lucy K. Potter, Francis Gallup, Henry C. Leach, Mrs. A. Voorhies, Mrs. L. Burdsall, Mrs. L. Hall, Mrs. A. C. Hall and Miss E. Throughman. Mr. Gallup was the first deacon, and Henry C. Leach was first clerk and treasurer. In May, 1866, Rev. Ira D. Clark was pastor, remaining a year, and in May, 1868, Rev. A. M. Arneill be- came pastor, followed by Rev. Lewis M. Raymond. Rev. Ira D. Clark built the basement on the church lots at the corner of Curtis and G streets, and Rev. IV. Scott, who succeeded Mr. Raymond, erected a lecture room on lots donated by Rev. Walter M. Potter, the first pastor of the church. He had preempted 320 acres near the city, and with his uncle, W. Gaston, of Boston, bought fifty acres covering the present depot grounds. All of this, worth in 1873 nearly a hundred thousand dollars, was left to the Mission bodies of the church.
637
HISTORY OF COLORADO
The Rocky Mountain Baptist Association was organized September 21, 1866, in the United States Court room in Denver, its first moderator being Rev. Ira D. Clark. The Colorado Baptist churches represented and unrepresented at this first session were as follows: Canon City, membership fifty-four; First Denver, eighteen members; Golden City, twenty-eight members; Denver Zion (colored), eight members; Central City, thirty-six members; Colorado City, fifteen members.
- At its session in 1867, with Cheyenne added, its total membership in the state was 180. Mt. Vernon and Georgetown were organized in the following year.
In 1873 the Baptist Church had a firm hold in this field. At Central City a $4,500 church building was under erection, and its membership had grown to fifty-four. The First Baptist Church of Denver was building a $12,000 struc- ture, and had a membership of ninety-four. The Baptist Church in Golden was not alone a commodious brick building, but had a tower with bell. Its member- ship was twenty-two. In Greeley the largest church in the place, built at a cost of $6,500, was occupied by a Baptist membership of forty.
Laramie, which was part of the Colorado district, had just organized.
Denver Zion had a good church building and seventeen members.
At Georgetown, the membership of thirty-five worshiped in a leased building.
At this time there were services held in the Hard Scrabble district, and on the Greenhorn, by preachers who had taken up farming in these sections.
Colorado City, Cheyenne and Mt. Vernon church organizations had become extinct, "owing principally to the unsettled character of the population in those places when the churches were organized." At this time new churches were organizing at Boulder, Longmont, Evans, Platte Valley, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fountain and at Idaho Springs. Rev. James French, who was then ter- ritorial missionary, announced that he had sold for the owner one of "the cel- ebrated Idaho springs" and had earned a commission of $1,000, which, as he said, "I propose to give to the Home Mission Society, to be designated towards building a church edifice at Idaho Springs."
Late in 1872 a new association of seven churches was organized in south- ern Colorado, and new meetinghouses were building "on the Cuchares, the Apache, the Greenhorn, the Hard Scrabble, and at Colorado Springs."
The first meeting of what was to be known as the Southern Colorado Baptist Association met in Cañon City, November 22, 1872, elected Andrew Brown mod- erator, and was represented as follows: Cañon City, thirty-four members ; Col- orado Springs, nineteen members ; Fountain, five; Huerfano, thirty; New Hope (on the Hard Scrabble), twenty-two; Pueblo and Spanish Peaks, just organiz- ing.
When this organization met in 1873 at New Hope, Spanish Peaks reported a membership of forty-three; Pueblo, seventeen; Dodson, seven; Monument, five. The total membership was 199, and nine churches comprised the conference. In 1874 the membership was 219.
In 1874 the Rocky Mountain Association, with nine churches-at Denver (2), Golden, Greeley, Central City, Laramie, Boulder, Platte Valley and Bear Cañon, had a total membership of 458. This figure was 427 in 1873.
At the session of the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association in 1874 a com-
638
HISTORY OF COLORADO
munication from Gov. John Evans requested cooperation in the founding of the University of Denver. At that time the plan was to establish a seat of learning, with the support of "The Protestant Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyte- rian and Baptist churches." The project was endorsed, but later the University became exclusively a Methodist Episcopal institution.
In 1877 the ten churches in the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association had a membership of 631; in the Southern Association there were fourteen churches, with a membership of 395.
The record of the Baptist churches in the southern field follows: Canon City, established 1865; Fountain, 1870; New Hope, 1871; Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Spanish Peaks, 1872; Monument, 1875; Saguache, 1876; Las Vegas, N. M., 1880; Durango, Gardner, Gunnison City, 1881 ; Grand Junction, Salida, Raton, N. M., Lake City, 1883; Table Rock, 1884. In 1883 its church property was valued at $29,100; its membership was 613.
In 1885 the value of church property in the Rocky Mountain Baptist Associa- tion territory was $162,700, and the membership was 1,319. There were now two churches, the First and Calvary, in Denver, the First and Second in Cheyenne, one each at Boulder, Fort Collins, Golden, Greeley, Laramie, Leadville, Loveland, Lone Tree and Sunnyside. The moderators of the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association for its first two decades had been : 1866, Rev. Ira D. Clark ; 1867, Rev. Jos. Casto; 1868, Rev. T. T. Potter ; 1869, 1870, 1871, Rev. B. M. Adams ; 1872, 1874, Rev. S. D. Bowker; 1873, Rev. D. F. Safford; 1875, Rev. T. W. Greene; 1876, Rev. W. C. Lothrop; 1877, Rev. D. J. Pierce; 1878, Rev. I. C. Whipple; 1879, 1880, 1881, R. S. Roe; 1882, Rev. J. G. Brown; 1883, Rev. C. M. Jones; 1884, Rev. C. L. Ingersoll; 1885, Rev. E. N. Elton.
In 1884 the Rocky Mountain Baptist Union was formed, with delegates from both the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association and the Southern Colorado Bap- tist Association, as well as from the territories of Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah.
On July 23, 1886, the Gunnison Valley Baptist Association held its first meeting in Grand Junction, Saguache, Delta, Colorow and Grand Junction being represented. Its first moderator was Rev. Moses A. Clarke. The total membership in the new district was 104. In 1888, Aspen, Lake City, Monte Vista, New Liberty and Platte Valley were the new members.
On October 21, 1889, the first annual meeting of the Colorado Baptist State Convention was held, its jurisdiction now covering only the State of Col- orado. New churches were organized in that year at Coryell, Del Norte, Ala- mosa, Santa Clara, Walsenburg, Fairview, La Junta and Denver. New churches were built and dedicated at Sterling, Delta, Coryell and Aspen.
In 1890 the membership in the Baptist churches of Colorado had grown to 3,273, of which 1,989 were in the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association, 1,004 in, that of Southern Colorado, 205 in the Gunnison Valley, and seventy-five in un- associated churches. The Sunday school membership was 4,246.
On March 25, 1890, the corner-stone of the Colorado Woman's College, a Baptist educational institution, was laid, Mrs. J. A. Cooper, wife of Governor Cooper, presiding at the exercises. Among those who spoke at this time were ex-Governor John Evans and Doctor Slocum, of Colorado College. Rev. W. T. Jordan was its first president. The detailed history of the institution is covered in Chapter XXXI, on "Education."
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HISTORY OF COLORADO
On September 1, 1896, the Colorado Midland Baptist Association was organ- ized, with the following church representation: Anaconda, Colorado City, Col- orado Springs, First and St. Johns, Cripple Creek, Eastonville, Fountain, Husted, Olive Branch and Table Rock.
In 1895 the Baptist churches at Durango, Hooper, Lockett, Monte Vista, Mosca, Saguache and Salida formed the San Luis Valley Baptist Association. This was later again divided and in 1900 the San Luis Association had churches at Centerview, Hooper, Mosca, Monte Vista, Salida and Saguache. The new South-Western Association had members at Durango, Pagosa Springs, Mancos and Dolores.
In 1900 the Colorado State Baptist Convention comprised six associations. The Midland Rocky Mountain Association, with churches at Ault, Beaver Val- ley, Boulder, Denver (thirteen churches), Eastern, Eaton, Fort Collins, Golden, Greeley, Holyoke, Longmont, Loveland, Louisville, Sterling, had a total mem- bership of 3,947. In 1912 the churches in the district were as follows :
Date of Or-
Churches
Date of Or- ganization
Churches
ganization
Arvada
1904
Fruitdale
1905
Ault
1900
Galilee
1888
Barnum
1910
German 1906
Beaver Valley 1901
Golden . 1863
Bennett
1907
Greeley
1871
Berthoud
1904
Greeley (Swedish) 1906
Beth Eden (Denver) 1893
Holyoke 1888
Bethel
1892
Iliff
1911
Bijou Valley 1908
Johnstown
. 1905
Broadway 1886
Judson
1887
Brush
19II
Kersey
1912
Calvary 1881
Lafayette . 1906
Capitol Hill
1894
Longmont 1890
Central 1891
Louisville
.1898
Cray 19II
Loveland 1879
Deer Trail 1913
Mount Hermon . 1909
Eastern 1893
Mount Olivet
1891
Eaton
1906
North Side 1895
Eleventh Avenue 1910
Sterling 1883
Englewood
. 1911
Wellington
1913
First
I864
West Park
. 1912
First Swedish
1885
Wiggins . 19II
Fort Collins
Zion
1863
Fort Morgan 1906
The value of church property in this association in 1900 was $223,275.
In 1912 the total membership was 6,767; Sunday school enrollment, 5,891 ; value of church property, $303,500.
The San Luis Association in 1900 comprised churches at Center, Hooper. Monte Vista, Mosca, Saguache, Salida, Monte Vista (German). Its total mem-
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HISTORY OF COLORADO
bership was 331. By 1912 there were churches at Del Norte, Ortiz (Mex.), Ala- mosa, San Acacio. Its total membership was 484.
The Gunnison Valley Association in 1900 had churches at Delta, founded 1899; Grand Junction, founded 1899; Gunnison, founded 1900; Hotchkiss, founded 1901; Lake City, founded 1898; Montrose, founded 1898; Olathe, Eckert, Palisade, Plateau Valley, all founded 1900. Its total church membership was 522, with 724 enrolled in its Sunday schools. The church property was valued at $20,400. In 1912 there were new churches at Pear Park, Cedaredge, Molina, Fruita, Paonia, Austin, New Castle, Bethel and Coal Creek. Its total member- ship was 1,532.
The Colorado Midland Association in 1900 had churches at Aspen, Anaconda, Colorado City, Colorado Springs (three), Cripple Creek, Colorado Springs (Swedish), Fountain, Husted, Goldfield, Good Hope, Leadville and Victor. Its membership was 1,550. Its church property was valued at $72,600. In 1912 there were new churches at Allbright, Bethel,. Bijou, one more at Colorado Springs, Flagler, Kanza, Prairie Home, Ramah, Shiloh, Vona. Total member- ship, about sixteen hundred.
The Southern Baptist Association in 1900 had churches at Canon City, Flor- ence, Fowler, Gardner, N. M., La Junta, La Veta, Las Animas, Lamar, Peublo five), Rocky Ford and Trinidad. The membership in 1900 was 1,602; Sunday school enrollment, 1,469. Church property was valued at $49,780. By 1912 there were new churches at Hartman, Holly, Kiowa, Ordway, Springfield and Walsenburg. In 1912 the membership was 3,168; Sunday school enrollment, 2,522. Value of church property, $133,870.
The Southwestern Association in 1900 had churches at Chromo, Dolores, Durango, Florida, Aztec, N. M., Pagosa Springs, Telluride and Mancos. Its membership was 318; Sunday school attendance, 279. Church property was valued at $6,770. In 1912 it had new churches at McElmo Cañon and Lebanon. Total membership 263.
Unassociated churches numbered seven, with a membership of 159.
In 1917 there were 110 Baptist churches in Colorado. These were divided by districts as follows: Baca County, twelve; Gunnison Valley, fourteen ; Mid- land, twelve ; Rocky Mountain, thirty-six ; San Luis Valley, ten ; Southern, twenty- one; Southwestern, ten. The total membership was as follows: Baca, 256; Gunnison Valley, 1,635; Midland, 1,650; Rocky Mountain, 8,370; San Luis, 584; Southern, 3,810; Southwestern, 300. Total, 16,605. Church property valuation was $987,700. The Sunday school enrollment was 12,015.
THE REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES
Both branches of the Reformed Church, formerly the Dutch and the German, are represented in the church life of Colorado. The German Reformed Church was organized in Denver in 1890 as a German church, and this congregation erected its first edifice at Twenty-third and Lawrence. This it occupied until 1898, when the German congregation was discontinued and an English church was organized under Rev. Henry Tesnow. Under him the present church build- ing, corner of Seventh Avenue and Emerson Street, was erected. In 1901 he
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HISTORY OF COLORADO
was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. David H. Fouse, who came here from Iowa.
The Christian Reformed Church (Dutch) was organized in the English Re- formed Church building in 1907 by a group of Hollanders from Grand Rapids. Rev. Ivan Dellen was the first pastor and is still in charge of the work. They have their own church on South Emerson Street and Colorado Avenue, and con- duct a parochial school and have also established the Bethesda Sanitarium for Consumptives.
The only other Reformed church in Colorado is one established by the so- called "German" Russians at Loveland. These are the descendants of Germans who had emigrated to Russia 200 years ago and later were brought over to take up the work in the beet fields of Colorado.
The total membership in the state approximates a thousand.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian churches of Colorado numbered sixty in 1917, with a further increase during the past year. The church membership then was 11,344. This was an increase from thirty-one church organizations and 2,400 communicants in 1910.
The First Church of Christ of Denver was organized by a few ardent dis- ciples, among whom were former Governor Routt and members of his family, members of the well-known Brinker family, of Denver, J. N. Hill, William and James Davis and I. E. Barnum.
For many months meetings were held in the chapel of the Brinker Institute, which had been built in 1880 and which was later the Hotel Richelieu, and still later the. Navarre. On December 13, 1881, while still meeting in the Brinker Institute, the church was incorporated as The Central Christian Church of Den- ver, with J. N. Hill, William Davis, James Davis, I. E. Barnum and John L. Routt as incorporators. The membership had also increased to such an extent that the Rev. M. D. Todd was, on September 18, 1881, made pastor of the church, and lots were purchased on the present site of the Majestic Building for a permanent church home. When on March 25, 1883, the church was dedi- cated its pastor was Rev. W. B. Craig, and the dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Isaac Errett.
This was the beautiful home of the Central Christian Church until 1900, when the Majestic Building was projected. On Easter Sunday, 1902, the fine church on Lincoln Street and Sixteenth Avenue, which today is its home, was dedicated.
Both the Colorado Springs and the Boulder churches were pioneers in the work of the denomination in the state.
Much of the splendid growth of the church in Colorado is due to the en- tliusiastic labors of the American Christian Missionary Society, of which Rev. C. H. Morris, pastor of the Central Christian Church, is state president, and Rev. Charles W. Dean, corresponding secretary and missionary.
In 1917 there were Christian churches in Colorado with membership as fol- lows :
Vol. I-41
642
HISTORY OF. COLORADO
Englewood 150
Limon
72
Las Animas 190
Atwood
.20
Boulder
766
Sterling
I33
Longmont
275
Clifton 100
Salida
.200
Fruita
.50
Ordway
125
Grand Junction .960
.94
Paonia
208
Craig
80
Denver, Central .685
Coventry
25
Denver, East Side 234
Montrose
II7
Denver, Highlands 500
Fort Morgan
233
Denver, South Broadway 550
La Junta 220
Manzanola I24
Rocky Ford .290
35
Colorado Springs 1,067
Holyoke
86
Cañon City 360
Lamar I18
Florence .65
Pueblo, Broadway 260
Carbondale
.30
Pueblo, Central 484
Glenwood Springs
.20
Pueblo, Vineland 20
Grand Valley
.30
Monte Vista 210
Rifle 100
Ault
60
Sheridan Lake .22
Gil
47
Burlington .30
Greeley
607
Durango
.40
Severance
.31
Berthoud
100
Fort Collins
363
Windsor
107
Loveland
301
Trinidad
. 200
Total
. 11,46I
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Church of St. John's in the Wilderness, of Denver, the first Protestant Episcopal church in Colorado, was officially organized February 19, 1860, by the erection of a temporary vestry. The name of the church was given it some weeks earlier by William H. Moore, who had begun this mission, as he said, "seven hundred miles from the nearest church." His sister, who was known as Deaconess Moore, born in 1830, and who assisted at the founding of the first mission, was still alive and active in 1917.
The first temporary vestry consisted of Charles A. Lawrence, Thomas I. Bayaud, later its first senior warden, Amos Steck, soon elected mayor, Samuel C. Curtis, then postmaster, E. Waterbury, Thomas G. Wildman, D. C. Collier, C E. Cooley, Dr. A. F. Peck and Richard E. Whitsett. On November 6, 1861, St. John's Church in the Wilderness was incorporated by legislative enactment, with the following incorporators: Amos Steck, Benjamin H. Blanton, John S. Fillmore, Oscar D. Cass, Thomas G. Wildman, Roswell W. Roath, Henry B.
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