St. Vrain Church of the Brethren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of the Brethren
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | 8220 Hygiene Road, Hygiene, Colorado |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1888 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000794 |
| Added to NRHP | January 5, 1984 |
The Church of the Brethren is a very old and important building in Hygiene, Colorado. It is also known as the St. Vrain Church of the Brethren or the Old Dunkard Church. This historic church is located in the St. Vrain Valley of Boulder County, Colorado. It has been a special place for many years.
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About the Church of the Brethren
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian group. They are known for their simple lifestyle and commitment to peace. The church in Hygiene was an important meeting place for them.
How the Church Started
The Church of the Brethren officially began in this area in 1874. The first meeting was held at the ranch home of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Ullery. A traveling preacher named James R. Gish led this important first gathering.
Many of the first members of the Brethren church came to Colorado from Iowa. They settled in a place called Pella, which was south of Hygiene. A leader named Rev. Jacob S. Flory moved from Greeley, Colorado, with his family to help the church grow.
Building the Church
In 1879, some land was given so a church building could be built. The church was constructed in 1880. It was made from rough stone that came all the way from Lyons, Colorado. The stones were laid in rows of different thicknesses.
Building the church cost about $2,000. This amount included the work that people donated for free. The church was surrounded by the Hygiene Cemetery. The older Pella Cemetery was located just to the south. Church services stopped being held in this building in 1907.
A Historic Place
The Church of the Brethren building and the land around it became very important. In 1984, they were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means the church is recognized as a special historical site in the United States.
Later, in 2004, the Hygiene Dunkard Church received another honor. It was given Landmark status in Boulder County. This shows how much the community values its history.
In 2009, the church building was given to the Hygiene Cemetery Association. This group started working to fix up and restore the old church. Today, it is the oldest Brethren church building still standing in Colorado.
