USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume I > Part 73
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The United Danish Church in Denver was established in 1893 and has now a membership of 110. P. Rasmussen, a theological student, founded this church ·with six or seven members. They have within the past few years built a fine church at Bannock Street and Fifth Avenue.
There are now fifteen Swedish Lutheran churches in the state, the Nor- wegians have three. The Danish also have three. The Swedish Lutheran churches in 1918 are as follows: Augustana, Denver, founded 1878, total pa- rishioners, 692; Bethania, Georgetown, founded 1880, total parishioners, 6; Elim, Longmont, founded 1887, total parishioners, 162; Bethesda, Boulder, founded 1892, total parishioners, 63; Tabor, Pueblo, founded 1892, total parishioners, 174; Bethania, Las Animas, founded 1894, total parishioners, 73; Zion, Idaho Springs, founded 1896, total parishioners, 65; Colorado Springs, founded 1897, total parishioners, 74; Nebo, Victor, founded in 1902, total parishioners, 183; Immanuel, Greeley, founded 1905, total parishioners, 214; Zion, Loveland, founded 1905, total parishioners, 129; Bethania, Denver, founded in 1908, total parishioners, 226; Fridhem, Ault, founded in 1908, total parishioners, 451 ; Bethania, Leadville, founded in 1910, total parishioners, 124; Elim, Haxtum, founded in 1910, total parishioners, 69.
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN
President Buenger of the Western District of the German Lutheran Church in 1872 requested the Rev. J. Hilgendorf, now of Omaha, and long western vice- president-general of the Missouri Synod, to make an exploration trip into Colo- rado. Hilgendorf explored Denver in quest of German Lutherans, and found eleven families who declared their willingness to organize a congregation. Pastor Hilgendorf held a service with these people. On the first of November Hilgendorf
652
HISTORY OF COLORADO
went on to Pueblo. Later he organized a church at Westcliffe in the Wet Moun- tain Valley.
In January, 1873, Candidate H. Brammer was ordained as pastor of the con- gregation in Denver, the first resident Lutheran pastor in Colorado. On Septem- ber 7, 1873, Candidate H. W. Hoemann was ordained by Pastor Brammer as pastor of the congregation in the Wet Mountain Valley, Fremont County. In 1881, Pastor L. Dornseif became minister in Denver, and the Rev. E. Saupert became pastor at Westcliffe. Pastor Dornseif was succeeded in Denver, in 1886, by the Rev. H. Rauh, and Pastor Saupert by the Rev. H. J. Mueller. At the time of the organization of the Kansas district, there were four resident pastors in Colorado, viz., in addition to Pastors Rauh and Mueller, the Rev. F. Lothringer in Trinidad, and J. H. Tietjen in Durango. Besides these, the Reverend Oesch of Nebraska supplied three mission posts in northeastern Colorado.
There are today in the Kansas district which includes Colorado, over one hundred German Lutheran churches with approximately twenty thousand com- municants.
The work in Colorado and in Oklahoma increased to such an extent that, upon request of the Colorado and the Oklahoma pastoral conferences the synod, in 1909, established sub-boards in these two states.
A sanitarium for tubercular patients in one of the German Lutheran Church establishments near Denver. Over eight hundred patients have been received since its doors were opened in 1905.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN COLORADO
The history of Colorado and of Christian Science may be said to be coincident in that the first edition of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" was published by Mrs. Eddy but a few months prior to the admission of Colorado as a state. The seed of the Christian Science move- ment in Colorado were sown in the spring of 1885 by Geo. B. Wickersham, and later that year a class was taught in the Denver home of Mrs. Chas. L. Hall by Bradford Sherman of Chicago. By the fall of 1888 a sufficient number had thus become interested to form an organization. Meetings were held in a private home, but soon it became necessary to move into a public hall to accommodate the in- creasing number.
In May, 1891, this organization was incorporated as a church, some of the charter members being Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Griffith, Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Low, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Swift, Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Frederick, Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Clark, Mrs. Martha Miller, W. C. Wix, Mrs. Frances Mann, Mrs. John R. Smith, J. H. Miller, Jas. L. Henshall, Mrs. R. Mauff, Mrs. M. G. Fulweider, and Wm. H. Yankee. During the autumn of that year the building of a church home was begun on Logan Street near Eighteenth Avenue, which was occupied the fol- lowing year. In five years this proved too small, and the building was enlarged to the capacity of the ground space owned ; but in less than two years this also was filled to overflowing, and the problem of providing additional room again con- fronted the Denver Christian Scientists.
When the five lots at Fourteenth Avenue and Logan Street were purchased in 1899 less than three dollars was in the building fund of the church, but soon build-
653
HISTORY OF COLORADO
ing operations were begun on an edifice which cost about one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. Although services were held therein beginning in May, 1904, it was not dedicated until the fall of 1906, as no Christian Science Church is dedi- cated until it is free from debt.
Although more than seventeen hundred people can be comfortably accommo- dated in the First Church edifice the continued growth of Christian Science neces- sitated further expansion, so in January, 1909, the Christian Scientists of the south side withdrew and formed Second Church. The members of this organization after meeting in the Masonic Temple for some time were forced to build in order to secure larger quarters, and they are now nicely situated in a beautiful church home on South Grant Street and Bayaud Avenue.
In the fall of 1909 the Christian Scientists living on the north side of Denver followed the example of their south side friends and started an organization, which also has prospered and grown, so that it is evident that their removal to the largest hall in that section of the city will but temporarily meet the need. A beautiful and conveniently located building site has been secured, on which a church home will soon be erected.
Prior to 1895, although there were many throughout the state interested in Christian Science, the organized church activities had been restricted to Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Cañon City and Grand Junction, as up to that time the Christian Science churches were served by personal pastors. Chief among these had been Capt. John F. Linscott, Rev. L. P. Norcross, and Mrs. Ella Peck Sweet, the last named having started the churches in Colorado Springs, and Canon City, where she preached for several years, occasionally supplying in Pueblo as well.
In the spring of 1895 Mrs. Eddy ordained the impersonal pastor system, which has since been used in all Christian Science organizations. Instead of depending on personal preachers, each organization has two readers who read alternately selections from the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. This has enabled the starting of many organizations, which have steadily grown, until there are now forty-three recognized Christian Science organizations in Colorado, with more than that number where informal meetings are being held.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
In November, 1859, a union Sunday school was established at the mouth of Cherry Creek for both settlements (Denver and Auraria) and for all denomina- tions. This may fairly be called the beginning of Congregationalism in the Rocky Mountain region. "During most of the period of this pioneer Sunday school's existence," says the record, "Miss Indiana Sopris, who later became Mrs. Sa. quel Cushman, served as assistant to the superintendent." Miss Irene Sopris, wlic was afterward Mrs. J. Sidney Brown was also active in this work. Samuel Cushman was another active Congregationalist in the Union Sunday School and its super- intendent for a considerable time.
It was no fault of the independent congregationalists that a church of this denomination was not organized. Repeated appeals were made to the east but without success, and in 1863 when the subject received proper attention it was found that more active churches had succeeded in drawing many Denver Congre-
654
HISTORY OF COLORADO
gationalists into their membership. It was for this reason rather than any other, that the first Congregational church organized in Colorado was that at Central City, August 23, 1863, long since lapsed; and the second was that at Boulder, July 17, 1864.
In the winter of 1863-64, however, Mr. Cushman had made an eastern trip as far as Boston, and his earnest appeal to the church leaders in that city not to neglect the Denver field doubtless had considerable effect in determining the foundation of the church in that city.
The organization was effected through the aid of an ecclesiastical council con- vened for the purpose at the invitation of a dozen interested men and women of Denver. The place was the People's Theater, at that time the principal amuse- ment house of the city, located on the west side of Larimer Street, about half way between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, and as nearly as can be determined today, on ground now occupied by the Schaefer Tent and Awning Company. Rev. William Crawford, an energetic agent of the American Home Missionary Society and the first Congregational minister in Colorado has written of a visit made by him to Denver in February, 1864. The town then had a population of 5,000, was a mile long and a quarter of a mile wide, and "was getting to be a stylish place." Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches were already established, but Mr. Crawford discovered twenty-five Congregationalists, mostly ladies. In population, wealth, resources and business activity Denver was surpassed by both Central City and Boulder.
In October of that year, the advisory council to establish the First Congrega- tional Church of Denver was convened. Its members were: Rev. Jonathan Blan- chard, of Wheaton College, Illinois, who was a casual visitor in the city while returning with his son from a trip to Montana; Rev. Norman McLeod, a mission- ary of the American Home Missionary Society, stationed in Denver ; Rev. William Crawford, the first Congregational minister in Colorado, then pastor of the church in Central City, which he had organized as well as that in Boulder ; Deacon James Hubbard, representing the Congregational Church in Boulder; Mr. Colton, of a Congregational Church in Kansas. The twelve charter members of the church were: H. A. Goodman, D. G. Peabody, I. J. Stevens, W. N. Ellis, Mrs. Eliza- beth Sopris, wife of ex-Mayor Richard Sopris, Mrs. Melona Ellis, wife of W. N. Ellis, Mrs. C. A. Tolles, Mrs. S. W. Trumper, Miss Indiana Sopris, later Mrs. Samuel Cushman, Miss Jrene Sopris, later Mrs. J. Sidney Brown, Miss Isabella R. Glenn and Miss Ellen Cooper.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. Norman McLeod, a home missionary who was released for this service by the society for the period of three months. At the end of this time he was transferred to Salt Lake City. Great difficulty was experienced in securing his successor, and it became necessary for Mr. Crawford, who was the Congregational leader of the region, to make a trip east. He at- tended the National Council of Congregational Churches at Boston, and after a personal appeal to the young men at Andover Theological Seminary, three of the graduates volunteered to return to Colorado with him. One of these, Rev. G. D. Goodrich, became the second pastor of the Denver church. Mr. Goodrich's pas- torate lasted until March, 1867, and in September of that year, Mr. McLeod, who was the first pastor, returned.
On December 6, 1867, the church decided to build a house of worship. Ser-
655
HISTORY OF COLORADO
vices had previously been held in the district court room, in the assembly room of the University of Denver then known as the Colorado Seminary, Fourteenth and Arapahoe streets, and in the partially completed basement of the Baptist Church, which was commonly called "the dug-out," where now stands the America Theater, Sixteenth and Curtis. Two lots were purchased at the corner of Fif- teenth and Curtis streets for $600. The period of prosperity was not, however, long continued. Mr. McLeod gave lectures and worked on one of the city papers, but the combination of Indian wars, grasshoppers and general hard times reached a crisis in 1869, and the church was left again without a pastor for more than a year. It is significant of the vitality of the church that in this period, the church building was completed and dedicated, October 25, 1870.
The next pastor was Rev. Thomas E. Bliss, who was called from Andover, Massachusetts, January 15, 1871, and began his work in Denver February 12th of the same year. The early months of Mr. Bliss' pastorate were among the inost prosperous in the history of the church. The membership increased to 101. Un- fortunately, however, the new membership was not harmonious and in 1872 the church entered upon the most troublous period of its existence. Irreconcilable differences regarding matters of church polity led to a controversy between the pastor and prominent members of the church, and finally resulted in charges filed with the prudential committee against the pastor and also against some of the members. On March 8th the trustees effected a final settlement by which upon payment of $800 in full of all demands, Mr. Bliss relinquished all claims to the pastorate. A considerable number of Mr. Bliss'. sympathizers withdrew from the church with him and organized a second Congregational Church, which maintained an existence for only a few months, when it was trans- ferred to the Presbyterians.
The next regular pastor was Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, Jr., who came to Denver from Ottawa, Illinois, and whose father was at that time president of Illinois Col- lege at Jacksonville. The period of his pastorate was one of harmony and prog- ress. He was succeeded by Rev. C. C. Salter, who served as pastor from Janu- ary, 1877, to October, 1879. Mr. Salter is chiefly remembered for his success- ful effort in starting the Second Congregational Church on the west side, and for his achievement in clearing the church property of debt. The old church and lots at the corner of Fifteenth and Curtis streets were sold for $14,500, and without waiting for the arrival of a new pastor the church purchased lots on Glenarm Street, just west of the Denver Club for $5,000 and began the erection of a building which was completed at a cost of $40,690.
On January 7, 1880, a call was extended to Rev. J. V. Hilton of East Boston, Massachusetts, at a salary of $2,500, and in March, 1880, Mr. Hilton accepted the call. While the new church was building services were held in Walhalla Hall, which had been erected for a general public meeting place upon the foundation of the old Baptist dug-out, at the corner of Sixteenth and Curtis streets. On May 22nd of that year the completed building was dedicated free from debt. This was made possible very largely through the liberality of Messrs. J. S. and J. F. Brown, who continued for many years among the staunchest and most liberal of the church's financial supporters. The four years of Mr. Hilton's pastorate constituted a period of great prosperity. Two hundred and thirty names were added to the roll of membership, and the creed and covenant were considerably simplified and
656
HISTORY OF COLORADO
broadened. Mr. Hilton resigned December 12, 1883, to take effect April 1, 1884, and he was succeeded by Rev. Myron Reed, whose pastorate continued for more than ten years, the longest in the history of the church. Mr. Reed came to this city from the First Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis and he was a dominant figure not only in the church and in religious life of the state, but in politics and industrial matters as well. It is impossible even at this time to speak of Mr. Reed's career without partisanship, for he was himself partisan. His ideas were radical along many lines and his acts were not less extreme. He made many very warm friends and many bitter enemies. His salary was repeatedly raised by the church until it amounted to $7,000 annually, and the church contributions for benevolent purposes were proportionately large. The stormy and disastrous year, 1893, brought confusion and distress to almost every individual and organization of the state, and this church was not exempt from the common lot. Mr. Reed had come to be one of the recognized leaders of public thought and action, and in a time when every man was a partisan he felt it to be his duty to act as well as to speak for what he believed to be the truth. Like other public men of the period he was the victim of misrepresentation and abuse. His political and other public activities in addition to the work as pastor of this church were more than could be carried on by one man. On March 14, 1894, Mr. Reed asked for a six weeks' leave of absence on account of failing health, and on June 6th he presented his resignation, which was accepted a week later. After leaving this church Mr. Reed continued independent religious work in Denver for a number of years and died in Denver in January, 1899. He was unquestionably one of the most ag- gressive and influential leaders in religious and political thought of his time, and he had a lasting effect not only upon the church, but also upon the city and the state.
Mr. Reed's successor was Dr. John P. Coyle, who came from the Congrega- tional Church of North Adams, Massachusetts. At the beginning of his pastorate he attracted the attention of some of the more active of Mr. Reed's critics, and the excitement of this publicity, coupled with the unaccustomed altitude, is believed to have been responsible for the development of a malady of the heart, from which he died after a pastorate of about four months.
From February, 1895, to January, 1896, the church was without a regular pastor, services being conducted for the most part by Chancellor McDowell, the head of the University of Denver. Dr. J. H. Ecob, the tenth pastor of the church, came from Albany, New York. He remained nearly three years, and re- signed in September, 1898. His successor was Dr. David N. Beach, who remained until August 15, 1902. The pastorates of both Doctor Ecob and Doctor Beach were disturbed by financial difficulties growing out of the general business dis- turbances that followed the great panic of 1893, which was especially injurious to Denver and generally throughout the Rocky Mountain region.
The coming of Rev. J. Monroe Markley from Pittsfield, Illinois, may be fairly said to mark the beginning of a new era in the church's history. He was the first pastor of the new century. During his pastorate the church home was changed from Glenarm Street to its present location. On December 27, 1905, it was voted to sell the old building and lots, from which $45,000 were received. The lots at the corner of Tenth Avenue and Clarkson Street were purchased for $7,250. The last services were held in the Glenarm Street building on January
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HISTORY OF COLORADO
13, 1907, and the same night it was destroyed by fire. While waiting for the construction of the new building, services were held in the Jewish Temple Eman- uel. The corner-stone of the Tenth Avenue Church was laid March 18, 1907, and the first service was held in the new building on November 10, 1907.
Mr. Markley's pastorate ended by his resignation on December 22, 1907, and for exactly four months the church was without a pastor, though services were held regularly. Rev. Elbert H. Alford followed and remained until Memorial Day, 1909.
The following Sunday, June 6, 1909, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Allan A. Tanner, of Alton, Illinois. Three days later the Committee on Pulpit Supply recommended that a call be extended to Mr. Tanner. The report was approved unanimously by church and congregation. During Mr. Tanner's years of service 474 new members have joined it, of whom 400 are now on the rolls, the total membership being 511. Of the fifty-six who have united in 1917, twenty-seven are men and twenty-nine women. Dr. Tanner retired from the pastorate in 1917.
The following is a complete list of Congregational churches in Colorado in 1917, with date of organization, date of building of church, and members for 1917. The total membership in the state at that time was 11,865; Sunday School enrollment, 12,776:
Churches.
City or Town.
Church Organized.
Church Erected.
I
Arickaree
1917
....
2
Arriba
1895
1909
3 Ault
I90I
1903
4
Berthoud, Ist German.
1908
..
5
Bethune, German
19II
1912
6 Boulder
1864
1906
7
Briggsdale, German
19II
19II
9
Brighton, Platte Valley
1901
1879
IO
Brush, German
1910
1910
II
Buena Vista
1880
1907
12
Clark, Elk River
1901
1906
13
Collbran
1902
1903
14
Colorado City
190I
1904
15
Colorado Springs, Ist
1874
1888
16
Colorado Springs, 2d.
1889
1890
17
Cope
1912
19II
I8
Cortez
....
19
Craig
1900
1900
20
Creede
1894
1905
21
Crested Butte
1880
1884
22
Cripple Creek
1892
1897
23
Crook, German, Sterling
1912
..
24
Delta, German
1917
25
Denver, Ist
1864
1907
26
Denver, 2d
1879
1890
27 Denver, 3d
188I
1893
Vol. 1-42
658
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Churches.
Church
Church Erected.
28 Denver, Boulevard
1882
1895
29 Denver, Pilgrim
1883
1884
30 Denver, Plymouth
1884
1899
31 Denver, Tabernacle
1884
I90I
32 Denver, 4th Avenue
I888
1892
33
Denver, South Broadway
1890
1891
34
Denver, 7th Avenue
1890
1913
35
Denver, North
1891
1894
36
Denver, German
1894
1897
37
Denver, Ohio Avenue
1904
1910
38
Denver, Englewood
1904
1914
39
Denver, City Park
1906
19IO
40
Denver, Berkeley
1916
1917
4I
Denver, Washington Park
1913
1916
43 Denver, Free Evangelical
1916
1898
44
East Lake
1915
1915
45
Eaton
1886
1890
46
Eaton, German
1907
1915
47 Flagler
I888
1914
48 Fondis
1917
. .
·
49
Fort Collins, German
1904
1904
50
Fort Collins, Plymouth
1908
1909
5I
Fort Morgan, German
1907
1916
52 Fountain
1904
1909
53
Fruita
1888
1889
54
Fruita, German
1910
1907
56
Grand Junction
1890
1904
57
Greeley
1870
1907
58
Greeley, German
1906
1915
59
Green Mountain Falls
1917
....
. 61
Hayden
1889
1893
62
Henderson
1905
1909
63 Joes
1916
...
64
Julesburg
1885
1914
65
Keota, German, Pilgrim
1914
66 Lafayette
1890
1891
67
Longmont
1871
1894
68
Loveland, Ist German
190I
1915
69
Loveland, Zion, German
1904
1908
70
Lyons
1889
1894
71 Manitou
1878
1880
72 Marble
1917
.....
73 Maybell
190I
1904
42
Denver, Union
1906
55 Genoa
60
Grover, German
1914
City or Town.
Organized.
A CABIN BUILT IN THE SUMMER OF 1859 AND OCCUPIED BY THE REV. JACOB ADRIANCE, A MINISTER OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
660
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Churches.
Church
City or Town.
Organized.
74 Minturn
1917
..
75
Molina
1906
1908
76 Montrose
1885
1886
77 Montrose, Spring Creek
1912
78 New Castle
1889
1890
79 Nucla
19II
1913
80 Paonia
190I
1912
81
Paradox
19II
.. ..
82 Plattville, Highland Lake.
I881
1896
84
Pueblo, Ist
1878
1889
85
Pueblo, Pilgrim
1880
1890
87
Pueblo, Irving Place
1906
1902
88 Raven, Fairview
1915
....
89
Redvale
1910
1914
90
Rico
1888
1892
91
Rocky Ford, German
1889
1913
93
Silt
1909
1909
94
Silverton
1881
1881
95
Steamboat Springs
1889
1891
96
Sterling, German
I9II
97
Stratton
I888
1908
98
Sulphur Springs
1892
1904
99
Telluride
1889
1889
100
Wellington, Ist
1904
1906
IOI
Wellington, German
1906
1906
IO2
Whitewater
1888
1895
IO3
Windsor, German
1904
1906
104 Yampa
1901
1901
86
Pueblo, Minnequa
1902
1904
92
Seibert
1906
1907
83 Proctor, German
1912
Church Erected.
The Congregational Conference of Colorado was organized March 10, 1868. Its officers in 1917 were: William E. Sweet, Denver, moderator; Rev. Frank L. Moore, Denver, superintendent ; Rev. Joel Harper, registrar ; A. D. Moss, Denver, treasurer.
THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS
The Seventh Day Adventists established their first church in Denver in 1880 at the corner of Lawrence and Twenty-third streets. Rev. E. R. Jones came from California to serve the small congregation. Later he held tent meetings on the large vacant lot at Twenty-third and Welton. In 1891 the church at Kalamath and West Eleventh was purchased from the Third Congregational Church, and considerably enlarged. This is now the largest church in the Colorado Confer- ence. its membership numbering 350. There are now (1918) six churches in
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HISTORY OF COLORADO
Denver, with a total membership of over 600. These are the First Church, at Kalamath Street and Eleventh Avenue; the Second Church, at East Thirteenth Avenue and York Street, which was dedicated March 23, 1918. Meetings have been held there for some time, but the dedication could not be held until the church was free from debt. The Third Church, a colored congregation, is at 2917 Glenarm. The Fourth Church is a Scandinavian church, at the corner of East Thirty-sixth Avenue and High Street. The fifth church is the South Denver Church, at 2303 South Cherokee. The sixth church is a North Denver church at West Thirtieth Avenue and Perry Street.
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