Eckert Presbyterian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Presbyterian Church of Eckert
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The church in 2013
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 13025 CO 65, Eckert, Colorado |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | Lawrence B. & Arthur L. Valk, S. Joseph Hunt |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Rustic |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001507 |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 2006 |
The Eckert Presbyterian Church is a historic building in Eckert, Colorado. It used to be called the First Presbyterian Church of Eckert. This church has been an important part of the community for a long time.
Contents
A Look Back: Church History
The idea for the church started on February 24, 1913. People in the area met at the local high school. They voted to create the First Presbyterian Church of Eckert.
Building the Church
People worked hard to raise money for the new church. Someone also donated a piece of land. Construction began in 1915. The architect was Lawrence B. Valk from Los Angeles.
Building the church slowed down in 1918 and 1919. This was because of World War I. There were not enough workers or supplies. A widespread flu also affected the area. The lower part of the church was finished in June 1919. The upper part was completed in June 1921.
Community Hub
The first pastor, Rev. James Hunsicker, was also the principal of the local high school. Because of this, and a lack of other places, the church was used for many community events. People held school plays and basketball games there.
In 1961, the church changed its name. It went from First Presbyterian Church of Eckert to Eckert Presbyterian Church. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. This means it is recognized as a special historic site.
Church Design and Style
The church was designed in a Bungalow/Craftsman and Rustic style. This style was very popular in the early 1900s. The building is about 35 feet by 72 feet (10.7 by 22 meters). It is made from local field stone with wooden details.
Inside the Church
The church sits on a sloped piece of land. The main worship area, called the sanctuary, is on the upper level. There is a basement below it. A special entrance area, called a vestibule, is in the middle of the front. A tower rises from the roof of this entrance.
The east wall of the sanctuary has three large stained glass windows. These windows have arched tops. The ceiling inside is made of posts and beams. When the church was first built, there was a movable wall in the main area. This allowed the space to be used for both worship and Sunday school classes.
Heating and Additions
To save money, the church did not build a central heating system at first. They planned to heat the whole building with wood stoves. They put two stoves on the main level and one in the basement. But this did not work very well. By 1925, they started raising money for a furnace.
In 1946, the church decided to build a home for the pastor. This home, called a manse, was built south of the church. It was designed in a rustic style to match the church.
In 1987, a new building was added. This new part holds offices, activity spaces, and classrooms. It is two floors tall and is about 25 feet by 69 feet (7.6 by 21 meters). It sits between the church and the manse, creating a courtyard. Because of the sloped land, it looks like only one story from some angles. When this new part was added, the movable wall in the sanctuary was removed. New pews and carpet were also installed.
