USA > Colorado > Arapahoe County > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 35
USA > Colorado > Denver County > Denver > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 35
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pulpit until November 20, 1876, when he declined the call, and his place was filled by the Rev. I. W. Monfort, who retained the pastorate until Novem- ber 20, 1877, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Kerr, the present Pastor.
It is evident from the foregoing, that this little Church had as many, difficulties to contend with as any church organization of the city. For months it was without any stated place of wor- ship-a fact that discouraged very many worthy members; and it needed all the energy of Mr. Brown, and the faithful members that clung to him through good and evil report, to keep the Church from sinking. That they did so, and built a handsome and commodious church, without incurring a heavy debt, is alike ereditable to Pastor and people. The Church is now among the most flourishing in Denver, with a large attendance, and a flourishing Sunday school.
THE GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH.
From very early in the history of Denver there have been resident in the city a number of the members of the German Reformed and Lutheran communions. Too few to form a church society, they met occasionally in each other's houses for spiritual exercises; and, on those rare instances, when a clergyman of their faith chanced in this direction, gladly embraced the opportunity to listen to the Word, as expounded by one of their own form of belief. No effort was made to crystallize the scattered elements of a church society for several years; but in May, 1871, a number of Germans-all of them members of the German Reformed Church-made a call, through the papers, for a meeting to organize a society. An associa- tion for religious worship in the German tongue was formed; an organ and hymn-books were pur- chased, and meetings were regularly held every Sun- day. About this time, two young men arrived in the city, claiming to have been duly ordained, and one or the other officiated at the services. During the summer, an effort was made to purchase lots, and, during the fall, two lots were selected on the
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HISTORY OF DENVER.
corner of Lawrence and Twenty-third streets, and purchased for $800-Mr. Florian Spalte generously advancing $500 of the money. In April, 1872, a number of other families came from the East, and then an organization was per- fected, with the following gentlemen as constituent members: Florian Spalti, Casper Gugolz, John U. Gabathuler and William Nordloh. Before this, it had been discovered that the two men professing to be ministers were wolves in sheep's clothing, and they were invited to retire. Soon after the permanent organization of the society, it was decided to make an effort to erect a building; and a further instance of the double-dealing of the professed clergymen was developed. It was found that the lots above mentioned had been recorded in the name of the Lutheran Church, and an effort was made to prevent the purchasers from erecting their building. A Lutheran elergymau arrived in Denver about this time, however, and, on examin- ation, finding that there was not a single Lutheran among those who had contributed for the purchase of the lots, had the lots regularly deeded to the society. In the spring of 1872, a call was made upon the Ohio Synod of the Reformed Church for a Pastor. The call was responded to by Rev. J. A. Keller, who was sent out by the Synod to see the field and report upon the necessity for a Pastor, and the amount of assistance that would have to be extended to the infant Church. Mr. Keller remained in Denver three months, and, on his return, reported to the Synod that the Board of Missions should take charge of the field. In June, 1873, the Board of Missions sent out Rev. F. Hartmetz. Mr. Hartmetz, ably seconded by the leading members of the Church, immediately set about the work of collecting the necessary funds for the erection of a building. Considerable progress was made, and the building put under way; but, before its completion, Mr. Hartmetz resigned his charge, and returned to the East, after a stay of only five months. Another call for a Pastor was made upon the Ohio Synod, and, in June, 1874, Rev. Joseph A. Keller was sent
out to take charge of the congregation. The Society, which had become somewhat scattered, was re-organized, and the church was completed --- the finished structure, 70x40 feet, aud capable of seating two hundred persons, costing $5,300. It is a neat edifice, built of brick and stone, and, like every other church edifice in the city, is now worth nearly twice its original cost. Mr. Keller resigned in September, 1878. The immediate cause of his resignation, was a difference which arose between the congregation and himself, relat- ive to the method of holding church services. Mr. Keller favored the holding of a certain part of the church services in English; as, by so doing, he could build up the Church more rapidly. This the Germans in the congregation opposed; and, after three years of trial, without any per- ceptible effect, they insisted that all services should be held in the German tongue. The result was Mr. Keller's resignation. In consequence of this difference, the Ohio Synod, to which Mr. Keller belonged, withdrew its support, and application was made to the Northwestern Synod Mission Board, which responded by sending Rev. G. Zindler, who arrived in Denver June 18, 1879, and is now the Pastor. The membership of the Church is forty-two, and about fifty children are regular attendants of the Sunday school. The congregation is growing quite rapidly.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
As is frequently the case in the new settlements of the Far West, the Sabbath-school organization of the Baptists of Denver preceded and, in a measure, formed the basis for the organization of the Church proper. Rev. Walter McD. Potter first visited Colorado in 1862. In the following year he was appointed a missionary for Colorado by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and arrived in Denver December 20, of that year. He held his first meeting December 27-fourteen persons being present. Several meetings of those interested in the formation of a Baptist Society were held, and the audiences constantly increased,
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HISTORY OF DENVER.
but no definite steps were taken until March 14, 1863, when Mr. Potter organized a Sunday school in what was then the United States Court room, on Ferry street, West Denver, now occupied by Wœber Bros, as a carriage repository.
The example thus set, and the immediate suc- cess of the enterprise, which resulted at once in a weekly gathering of from fifty to seventy pupils, requiring eight teachers, stimulated the elders, and, on May 2, 1864, the First Baptist Church of Denver was organized, with the following con- stituent members: Rev. Walter McD. 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.
Up to this time, the Baptist meetings had been held in the United States Court room ; but, almost immediately after the formation of the Church, the youthful society met with a reverse-the flood of 1864 driving them out of this place of wor- ship, and compelling them to seek new quarters. The People's Theater, on Larimer street, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth, where Greenleaf's toy- store now stands, was secured, aud the first meet- ing after the flood was held in that edifice on June 13; services were held there during the remainder of that year, under the ministrations of Mr. Potter, who had been chosen Pastor of the Church. Early in 1865, the congregation removed to a private schoolhouse on Cherry (now Twelfth) street, where it worshiped until December, 1865, when the services were discontinued, owing to the failing health of Mr. Potter, which compelled him to go to the East. Soon after his departure, Mr. Potter yielded to the disease which had been undermining his physical system, and the unwelcome intelli- gence was conveyed to his sorrowing congregation that he had gone to his reward. He was a young man of rare culture, refinement and talent, and gave promise of a brilliant career of usefulness, when disease marked him for its own. Like all the early Christian ministers of Colorado, he was thoroughly in carnest, quick in planning, and ener- getic in carrying his plans into execution. His
congregation was strongly attached to him, and by all of those who sat under his preaching, his name is held in grateful remembrance.
No regular services were held until May, 1866, when Rev. Ira D. Clark was selected as Pastor, and labored a year. During his pastorate, the District Court room, on Larimer street, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth, where Kastor's clothing store now stands, was secured as a place of wor- ship, and occupied until December, 1866, when the basement of the proposed church edifice, on the corner of Sixteenth and Curtis streets, now occupied by Walhalla Hall, was completed, and, being put under a temporary roof, was occupied as a lecture-room. The proposed building, which, for some reason, was never completed, was set on foot by Rev. Mr. Potter, the first Pastor.
In May, 1868, Rev. A. M. Averill succeeded to the pastorate, severing his connection with the Church, after faithful service, in May, 1869. For some time following the departure of Mr. Averill, the Church was without a settled Pastor; but, in November, 1870, Rev. Lewis Raymond accepted the pastorate, and labored with good success several months. Then followed another season when the congregation were without a regular Pastor. The Church had by this time grown to be a large and flourishing organization; and, notwithstanding the discouragement attendant upon the lack of regular ministrations, the members remained steadfast, securing a clergyman when they could, until January 1, 1872, when Rev. Winfield Scott began his labors as Pastor of the Church.
Mr. Scott at once decided that a suitable church edifice must be erected, and set himself at work with characteristic energy. During the pastorate of Mr. Potter, that gentleman had pre-empted a tract of land from the Government, and had also bought about fifty acres in the then outskirts of the city. At his death, he left the property to his sister during her life, and, at her death, to revert to the Baptist Home Mission and the Baptist Mis- sionary Union. Miss Potter survived her brother but a year, and the ultimate legatees came into
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RESIDENCE OF HENRY CROW.
RESIDENCE OF A. T. THAYER.
RESIDENCE AND OFFICE OF DR CHAS. DENISON, CORNER CHAMPA & 14TH STS.
W .. H. JACKSON. 13
VIEWS
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COLORADO
COLORS
CRAYONS
PERFECT
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FINISHED
GIRES
PHOTOGRAPHIC ART ROOMS. 413
RESIDENCE OF HON. WM. OILPIN.
JACKSON'S ART ROOMS, 413 LARIMER ST.
VIEWS IN DENVER, COLORADO.
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HISTORY OF DENVER.
possession of the property. A portion of the land was sold to the Kansas Pacific Railroad Com- pany, for depot and yard purposes. The estate required careful attention, and Deacon Francis Gallup took charge of it, and, through his . efforts. it was materially enhanced in value. In recog- nition of his services in this behalf, the joint heirs of the estate conveyed to Mr. Gallup the lots on the corner of Curtis and Eighteenth streets, ou which was a parsonage. Mr. Gallup immediately donated the lots to the Church, and the work of erecting a church edifice was entered upon with such vigor that, before the close of 1872, a neat church, 36x77 feet, was completed and occupied. The cost of the structure, which is still used as a place of worship, including the furnishing and organ. was 815.000. The congregation contem- plates erecting at an early day a commodious tabernacle, the plans of which are already drawn. The new church will be one of the largest as well as most convenient church edifices in the city.
Mr. Scott remained in charge of the congre- gation until the spring of 1875, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. T. W. Green, who was the Pastor until the fall of the same year, when Rev. A. J. Frost, D. D., assumed the pastorate- continuing until March, 1876, when a call ex- tended to Rev. F. M. Ellis, D. D., was accepted, and that gentleman has since remained in charge of the congregation.
The Church is in an exceedingly healthy con- dition. The present membership of the Church is three hundred and thirty. The present value of the church property is not far from $25,000.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
A very early effort was made to establish Catholic worship in Denver, although the names of the first movers in the matter are not of record, as far as the historian could ascertain. In Octo- ber, 1860, the Rt. Rev. Joseph P. Machebeuf and Rev. J. R. Raverdy reached Denver, to take charge of the work in Colorado-the first as a Missionary Bishop, and the second as his assistant.
They found the foundations of a church already laid, and all the material on the ground, but no means wherewith to finish the superstructure. They at once took up the work, and, by further subscriptions among the Catholics, and by liberal donations from individuals outside the Church and in other denominations, they soon raised the neces- sary funds to complete the church.
This was the original of the present cathedral on Stout street, though at that time it was only 30x50 feet in size, roughly finished and almost destitute of decorations. Father Machebeuf and Raverdy "camped" near the church until a small frame building was erected for their accommo- dation, which became the home of the Bishop and his assistants until 1871, when a portion of the present brick residence was built. In 1872 and 1873, the church was enlarged, side chapels built, and an addition to the front, including a tower, was erected, making the cathedral one of the largest church edifices in the city.
The original cathedral was the first regular church completed in Denver, and the Catholics have always maintained the lead in religious mat- ters, having had not only the first church in the city, but also the first church bell, the first pipe organ and the first academy. The latter, well known as St. Mary's Academy, was established in 1864, when a large double frame house with eight lots, was purchased on California street, and placed in charge of three Sisters, who came from the Order of Loretto, in Kentucky, to take charge of the institution. The " Sisters' School," as it is also called, has flourished from the first opening. Two three-story brick wings have been built at different times, leaving a space in the center for the main building, which may soon be expected, if the school grows in the future as in the past. The main building will be four stories high, and the entire structure will present a very fine appearance when completed according to the designs.
As necessity requires, the number of Sisters is increased. The three have already become sixteen, and when the building is completed, perhaps double
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HISTORY OF DENVER.
that number will be employed. The Sisters have day classes as well as a boarding-school of thirty- five or forty pupils. They have also branch academies at Pueblo and Conejos, where, as in Denver, the "Sisters of Loretto" command the confidence and esteem of the whole community, and the warm affection of all true Catholics.
There is also a flourishing academy, with a very fine building, under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph, at Central City, and still another at Trinidad, conducted by eight or ten Sisters of Charity. Besides these, Catholic schools have been established in most of the larger parishes of the State, so that parents of that faith may have their children educated in their own schools, if they so desire.
Of these parish schools, the most important, per- haps, is the one in Denver, adjoining the Cathedral. The building is a substantial two-story brick, 50x75, and was completed in 1878. It is taught partly by Sisters and partly by lay teachers.
In 1872, a Catholic hospital was opened in a rented building, under the care of five Sisters of Charity, from Leavenworth, Kan., who have since erected near the city, on Park avenue, a large, brick hospital, three stories high, and 45x75 feet in dimensions. Eight to ten Sisters are employed, and an average of thirty or more patients are always under their care. A large proportion of these patients are poor people, who are not only nursed, but supported by the good Sisters. This noble charity is almost wholly supported by con- tributions from abroad. What Denver would do without the "Sisters' Hospital," cannot easily be imagined, as the Arapahoe County Hospital is always full to overflowing.
All this good work, and much more, has been accomplished under the fatherly care and super- vision of Bishop Machebeuf, who is still the head of the Catholic Church in Colorado. When he began his work here, there were but three parishes in the State; now there are about twenty-six. Eight of this number are of the Society of Jesus, located mostly in Southern Colorado, although a
new parish is about to be formed by them in the eastern part of Denver.
A neat, little, brick chapel, 25x50, has just been completed by the Catholics of West Denver. The new parish is under the charge of Rev. Father F. Bender, late of Colorado Springs.
In many high respects the Denver Catholics may be considered the most earnest and effective of our religious workers. Their financial affairs have been managed with rare skill and judgment, and they are probably by far the richest religious body in Denver. They own much good property, and a large proportion of it is situated in the best part of Denver. Other denominations might well pat- tern after their careful foresight in planning for the future, and all might very properly emulate their labors for the good of suffering humanity.
AFRICAN CHURCHES.
The colored people of Denver are not behind their white brethren in devotion to the cause of Christ, and some of them have made pecuniary sacrifices for the cause, which might shame many of their richer white brethren. There are three churches completed and occupied in Denver at the present time. One of them, the Methodist Church on Stout street, is a real ornament to the city-a substantial brick structure, which would do credit to a wealthier congregation.
This handsome edifice was completed this sum- mer, mainly by the efforts of Rev. Mr. Seymour, Pastor of the Church, a very intelligent and active eolored man, and a devoted Christian. When Mr. Seymour took charge of the congregation, he found them worshiping in a half-completed building, low, dark, and shabby without, and uncomfortable. Now very few congregations in Denver are better housed, or more prosperous.
On Arapahoe street, near Twentieth, is the Zion Baptist Church, a neat, frame building, well finished within and without, though not imposing in size or appearance. It is at present without a Pastor, but a call has been extended, which, if accepted, will soon provide them with a new minister.
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HISTORY OF DENVER.
Antioch Baptist Church, the second Baptist organization among the colored people of Denver, dates back to 1874. It is a missionary enterprise, in charge of Rev. Charles B. Murphy. The church edifice, a small frame building, is situated in the lower part of town, on the corner of Wazee and Twenty-third streets. Samuel Shepard was the first Pastor, and was succeeded by the present incumbent in 1878. The church numbers now about fifteen active members. The membership of the other colored churches is considerably larger, but the exact figures could not be obtained. Much credit is due to the colored people for their zeal and generosity in maintaining churches and pas- tors in Denver, especially during the early days of the town, when the colored people were neither so numerous, nor so financially prosperous as now.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
The first Congregational Church of Denver was not organized until 1865. Capt. Sopris and his family were Congregationalists, but there were few others of the early settlers who belonged to that denomination, and the scattering members of the fold attached themselves .to other churches until the year above mentioned. The first members were D. G. Peabody, E. E. Hartwell, Samuel Davis and mother, Mrs. Capt. Sopris and her two daughters, Irene and Indiana-now Mrs. J. S. Brown and Mrs. Sam Cushman-Mrs. Dr. Zolles and Mr. Haywood. Mrs. Davis was the organist, and the Misses Sopris sang in the first choir.
Their first meetings were held in the old District Court room, on Larimer street, now Justice Whit- temore's office, the pulpit being temporarily sup- plied, first by one minister and then by another. Among their early Pastors were the well-known Scotch divine, Rev. Norman McLeod, Rev. Mr. Crawford, who organized the society, and Rev. Dr. - Blanchard, of Wheaton College, Illinois, who spent some time in Denver for his health.
Gaining somewhat in strength, and receiving some aid from the missionary fund of the Congre- gational denomination, the Denver Church bought,
in 1868, a couple of lots on the corner of Curtis and Fifteenth streets, and erected their present church building in 1869-70. Rev. Thomas E. Bliss was their first permanent Pastor. In 1873, Mr. Bliss and a portion of the congregation drew ont and established what is now St. Paul's Presby- terian Church, corner of Curtis and Twentieth streets. During the first years of its existence, St. Paul's was a Congregational Church, but subse- quently it became identified with the Presbyterian denomination. Dr. Bliss continuing as Pastor, which position he still holds.
Upon the withdrawal of Dr. Bliss from the First Congregational Church, February 10, 1873, a call was extended to Rev. Julien M. Sturdevant, Jr., who accepted the invitation, and preached his initial sermon December 21, 1873. Under his ministration the Church grew and prospered exceed- ingly. Early in January, 1877, Mr. Sturdevant resigned, and was succeeded in March by Rev. Charles C. Salter, whose pastorate was terminated by his resignation, October 1, 1879, since when the Church has been without a Pastor, although the pulpit is temporarily supplied by Rev. S. R. Dimock.
During Mr. Salter's ministry in Denver, he became much interested in city missionary work, and was largely instrumental in building and fur- nishing a Congregational Chapel, corner Larimer and Thirty-first streets, near the rolling mills. The Sunday school and congregation of the chapel grew so rapidly from the first, that Rev. George C. Lamb was called to become Pastor of the new church, which is in a flourishing condition. Mr. Lamb has been preaching but a few months, but the rapid increase of population, in the vicinity of his church, makes a place of worship in that neighbor- hood almost a necessity.
Meanwhile. the advance of business ont Fifteenth street has sadly encroached upon the First Con- gregational edifice, which is now surrounded by business houses, and must soon give way to make room for commerce. The congregation is already in search of a new location, and when found
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HISTORY OF DENVER.
a new and undoubtedly handsome church will be built.
The wealth and well-known liberality of its Jead- ing members, among whom are many of Denver's best citizens, makes it certain that a new and bet- ter building will soon be exchanged for the present antiquated and barn-like structure opposite the Opera House. The present membership of the First Church is nearly 200.
TRINITY REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
Until quite recently, the only congregation of the Reformed Episcopal Church in Colorado was the one already mentioned, at Littleton, but on Sunday, November 16. 1879. a church of that dlenomination was organized in Denver, by Rev. Thompson L. Smith. as Rector. with J. R. Smith as Senior, and F. W. May as Junior Warden. A considerable number of communicants were enrolled, and the organization started off with every prospect of success. The very elegant little church edifice, on the corner of California and Seventeenth streets, has been secured as a place of worship. This church has been for some years occupied as a Unitarian Chapel, its last Pastor having been the celebrated Dr. William R. Alger, who ministered with much acceptance in Denver about a year, but finally returned East for private reasons. Trinity Reformed Church starts off. as already stated, with good prospects. The following Vestrymen were chosen : Mr. Currie, T. Frith, J. Johnson, W. A. Hardinbrook. James Creighton. Samuel Copping, Thomas L. Wood and Mr. Lewis. The church building is centrally located, and in the best por- tion of the city.
ST. PAUL'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
A small, but neat and comfortable edifice, on the corner of Curtis and Twentieth streets, attraets the eye of strangers, who are commonly told its curious history at the same time they are told its name. It is known to most of the older citizens of
Denver as " Dr. Bliss's Church," from the name of its first and only Pastor. In 1873, Dr. Bliss was Pastor of the First Congregational Church, as already stated in the sketch of that organization. A division arising in the Church, Dr. Bliss and a portion of the congregation quietly withdrew and organized St. Paul's Church, the subject of the present sketch. They were neither numerous nor rich in this world's goods, and the burden of build- ing a new church rested heavily upon their shoulders. Dr. Bliss appealed to the Home Mis- sion Board of the Congregational Society for assist- ance. but was refused, the Board taking the ground that the division of the First Church, ocea- sioned by the withdrawal of the members of St. Paul, was impolitie and unwise, and the Board could not extend missionary aid to either congre- gation. as together they would have been self-sup- porting.
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