Chadbourn Spanish Gospel Mission facts for kids
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Chadbourn Spanish Gospel Mission
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 402 S. Conejos Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Raymond C. Whitlock |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001316 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 14, 2009 |
The Chadbourn Spanish Gospel Mission is a special building in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was built in the Mission Revival style. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
Starting in 1928, this mission church helped people in the Conejos District. It offered religious services, education, sports, and other community support. The Colorado Springs Ministerial Association helped fund the church and find teachers.
The mission was started by Ruth Chadbourn. She was a Presbyterian nurse who had been a missionary in Costa Rica. She moved to Colorado Springs for her health.
What Was the Conejos District?
The Conejos District was a neighborhood in Colorado Springs. It became home to many Mexican families around the early 1900s. These families moved there to work at the nearby Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, mills, and mines. Many came from the San Luis Valley.
This area was located between Colorado Avenue and Mill Street. Its east and west borders were the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad yard and Monument Creek. Families lived in small houses. There were also local stores in the neighborhood.
Today, the Chadbourn Spanish Gospel Mission is the only building left from the original Conejos District.
A Church and Community Hub
The building was first built in 1910 as a grocery store. In 1930, it started being used as a mission and was called the Spanish Gospel Mission. Ruth Chadbourn founded it to help the community. She bought the building in 1934 with other mission leaders. Local Protestant churches helped manage the mission's money. After Ruth Chadbourn passed away in 1936, the mission was named after her.
Between 1939 and 1940, the building was updated to the Spanish Mission style. It became a non-denominational church and a community center. A bell tower was added, donated by Colorado College. The building also got new curved walls and a stucco finish. Stained glass panels were given by the First United Methodist Church. The building's style shows its square bell tower, curved walls, and stucco finish.
The church held services in both Spanish and English. It also had Bible and Sunday School classes. Kids could join the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts there. They could also play on the church's basketball and baseball teams. Adults could take classes in music, sewing, and English. The mission also gave food and Christmas gifts to children. It was a place for many community events.
Helping the Community
The church was a very important place for the Conejos district for a long time. The pastors often spoke up for the Hispanic community in Colorado Springs. For example, in 1942, Pastor Jose Guzman spoke out against unfair treatment. Many Hispanic workers came to Colorado Springs to build Camp Carson. But they faced "No Mexicans Allowed" signs in many businesses. Pastor Guzman asked, "How come we are their equals in the war front, and cannot be their equals in the lunch counter or the beer joint?"
After World War II, the church kept helping families in the Conejos neighborhood. In 1951, Pastor Dr. Harry Corney said, "The South Conejos Street district is a black mark against the Colorado Springs community." He wanted people to see how their neighbors were forced to live.
The Gazette newspaper once wrote about the mission:
- This neighborhood really needs this kind of work. Many children and young people are in small houses with no playground except the street.
- Helping build good character is much cheaper than dealing with young people getting into trouble.
- This project shows what different groups and races can do when they work together with understanding and kindness.
In 1954, most homes and buildings in the district were taken down. The land was then used for businesses. But the mission building stayed. In 2005, America the Beautiful Park was built nearby. The mission still holds weekly church services today. It is no longer funded by other churches. The people who attend now include grandchildren and children of the church's first members.
In 2008, The Gazette reported that the church was slowly growing. It had plans to make the building bigger. Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places helps protect the church's history.
See also
