First Congregational Church (Colorado Springs, Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Congregational Church
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![]() 1910 photograph of First Congregational Church
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Location | 20 E. St. Vrain St., Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1889 |
Architect | Henry Rutgers Marshall; Dozier, Joseph, et al. |
Architectural style | Romanesque |
NRHP reference No. | 02001258 |
Added to NRHP | October 31, 2002 |
The First Congregational Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a very old and important church building. It is located at 20 East Saint Vrain Street. This church is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it's recognized as a significant historical site.
Contents
History of the Church
The First Congregational Church has a long and interesting history. It was started in 1874, around the same time that Colorado College was founded. The first two ministers of the church, Reverend Jonathan Edwards and Reverend James Dougherty, also worked at the college. This shows how closely the church and college were connected from the beginning.
Building the Church
The church you see today was finished in 1889. It cost about $40,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The building was designed in a style called Richardsonian Romanesque. It uses a special type of rock called Colorado Wall Mountain Tuft, which was quarried near Castle Rock, Colorado.
The architect who designed the church was Henry Rutgers Marshall from New York. He was a famous student of another well-known architect, Henry Hobson Richardson. This church is one of only two churches known to have been designed by Marshall.
First Services and Dedication
The very first church service in the new building was held on July 21, 1889. The building quickly became a famous landmark in Colorado Springs. An old newspaper article from that time said that the church's design was "unique" and "attracted much attention and admiration."
The official dedication of the church happened a few months later in October. This was because they were waiting for a special pipe organ to be installed. This organ was made by Hook and Hastings of Boston.
Dr. James Gregg, a minister at the church, once said in 1914: "Surely few churches there are with so many pillars. The many pillars in our portico seem suggestive of the spiritual life of the church within, its strength, its dignity, its peace."
This church building has been used by the same church group ever since it was built. This makes it the oldest church building in Colorado Springs that has been used continuously by the same congregation.
Church Design and Features
The inside of the church has a unique shape, like a Greek cross. There is an eight-sided dome that rises above the main area. The lower walls inside the church are covered with light oak wood, matching the church pews.
You can also see beautiful stained glass windows throughout the church. The original organ, made by Hook and Hastings, is still in use today. It is the oldest organ in Colorado Springs that has been used without stopping.
Church Additions and Restoration
Over the years, more parts have been added to the church building. The Founders Room was added in 1903. A Christian Education Building was built in 1959, and an Atrium was added in 1996.
The main church building also had some changes and improvements in 1910. More recently, in 2011, a lot of work was done to restore the inside of the building. This helped bring back its original look from 1910.
The Gregg Library
Books and a library have always been very important to the First Congregational Church. When the main church building was constructed in 1888-1889, it included a library. The books were kept on a wall in a room called the Sacristy.
Forty-six years later, the library moved to a new home. A small house next to the church was bought and given to the church. This was done to honor Reverend James B. Gregg, who was the pastor for 27 years. The building was named the Gregg Memorial Library Building. It had a study room and classrooms.
Dr. Gregg's children also gave $10,000 to the library. This money still helps fund the library's budget today. The Gregg Library is now located in the West Building, which is connected to the church.
National Register Status
The First Congregational Church was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 31, 2002. Working with the Colorado Historical Society's State Historical Fund, the church and its Founders’ Room addition have been restored. They now look much like they did in 1910.