First United Methodist Church (Cheyenne, Wyoming) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First United Methodist Church
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First United Methodist Church, Cheyenne
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | NE corner of 18th St. and Central Ave., Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | Julien, J.P.; Keefe, M.P. |
| Architectural style | Semi-Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001902 |
| Added to NRHP | February 25, 1975 |
The First United Methodist Church (also called First Methodist Church) is a historic church building in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It stands at the northeast corner of 18th Street and Central Avenue. This beautiful church is known for its unique design and long history in the city.
The church congregation started way back in 1867. The building you see today was finished in 1890. Because of its importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
Starting in Cheyenne
The very first Methodist church services in Cheyenne happened on September 29, 1867. A traveling minister named Reverend W. W. Baldwin led them in City Hall. Just three months later, the Union Pacific railroad tracks reached the new town.
Soon after, a group called the Methodist Society was formed. It had nine members. A local doctor, Dr. D. W. Scott, was their first minister. In 1868, Reverend A. Gather arrived to lead the growing church.
Building the First Church
Two years later, the Society bought two plots of land at 18th and Central Avenues. They bought them from the Union Pacific railroad for just $1.00! Lumber for a white wooden church was ordered from Chicago.
This first church building was officially opened by Bishop Ames on September 23, 1871. In 1874, some members of the congregation formed their own church. They built the African Methodist Episcopal Church four blocks to the west.
The Current Church Building
Work on the church you see today began in 1890. This new church was made from strong red sandstone. It was officially opened on Easter Sunday in 1894. At that time, the church had 55 members.
While the new church was being built, the old wooden church was moved. It sat right in the middle of Central Avenue! Church services were held in that old building for two and a half years.
A Famous Wedding
On March 5, 1876, something interesting happened. The Methodist minister, Reverend Warren, married a famous person named Wild Bill Hickok. He married Agnes Thatcher Lake, who owned a circus. Their wedding took place at a nearby home. Sadly, Wild Bill was shot and killed five months later in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Church Design: Architecture
The new church was designed by an architect named J. P. Julien. Moses Patrick Keefe built it for $25,000. The furniture inside cost another $5,000.
This church is two stories tall and has a "semi-Gothic" style. It is built from beautiful red sandstone found in Wyoming. It has a roof that slopes steeply. There is also a three-story tower with a pointed roof and four small turrets (mini-towers).
When it was first built, the church was about 91 feet long and 55 feet wide. It could hold 750 people for services. In 1928, an addition was built at the back, making the church 126 feet long. In 1950, the church was made wider on the east side, reaching a total width of 60.4 feet. Around the year 1900, twenty-seven colorful stained glass windows were added.
See also
- List of the oldest churches in the United States
