The Christian Church in Colorado

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 disciples, 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 Denver, 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 dedicated 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 enthusiastic 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 follows:

Englewood 150
Las Animas 190
Boulder 766
Longmont 275
Salida 200
Ordway 125
Delta 215
Paonia 208
Denver, Central 685
Denver, East Side 234
Denver, Highlands 500
Denver, South Broadway 550
Denver, 43d Avenue 130
Denver, West Side 190
Elbert 30
Colorado City 155
Colorado Springs 1,067
Cañon City 360
Florence 65
Carbondale 30
Glenwood Springs 20
Grand Valley 30
Rifle 100
Sheridan Lake 22
Burlington 30
Durango 40
Berthoud 100
Fort Collins 363
Loveland 301
Trinidad 200
Limon 72
Atwood 20
Sterling 133
Clifton 100
Fruita 50
Grand Junction 960
Palisades 94
Craig 80
Coventry 25
Montrose 117
Fort Morgan 233
Fowler 130
La Junta 220
Manzanola 124
Rocky Ford 290
Swink 35
Holyoke 86
Lamar 118
Pueblo, Broadway 260
Pueblo, Central 484
Pueblo, Vineland 20
Monte Vista 210
Ault 60
Gill 47
Greeley 607
Severance 31
S. L. W. Ranches 65
Windsor 107
Total 11,461

History of Colorado


Source: History of Colorado, Wilbur Fisk Stone, Editor, Volume I, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1918

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