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Organized September, 1878, our church was first known as the
"First Congregational Church of South Pueblo". At that time
the towns of South Pueblo, North Pueblo and Bessemer had not yet combined. The
location of the original site was at a location now known as 217
Midway Avenue. We have celebrated the 125th anniversary of our
Congregation, and are venturing forward to see what the future holds for
us.
In June 1889 a site on the corner of Jackson and Evans was purchased from the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation (CF&I) to build a new Congregational church. The plans for the new church were completed by Charles H. Stickney, an architect and trustee of the church. This plan included stained glass windows from the Tiffany Art Glass Company of New York city. The trustees mortgaged the property for a loan “not to exceed $3,000.00.” A second loan came from the American Congregational Union for $200.00. Total loans for this project were $9,000.00. The church was built of red sandstone, quarried in Beulah, which is approximately 28 miles west of Pueblo, and carried by wagon to the building site. Wagon trips from Beulah took three days. An article which appeared in the Colorado Chieftain on October 3, 1889, gave the following description of the new building: “One of the prettiest buildings in the city is the new Congregational Church, which will be completed and dedicated some time soon. It is situated on the corner of Jackson Street and Evans Avenue. The building is not a very large one, having a seating capacity of only about 300, but it is a regular little gem in church architecture, complete and perfect in every respect. The walls are built of pink stone, cut to represent the natural fracture of the rock, and consequently do not represent any of the parallel lines and right angles which are usually common in cut stone work. The effect is peculiar, but not unpleasing. The interior wood work of the building, the wainscoting, panels, etc., is of oak, while the walls and ceilings are finished in rich colors. The auditorium will seat 250 people, and a small chapel, 60 or more. The chapel will also be used for entertaining, socials, reunions, etc. In addition to these rooms the building will contain a pastor’s study, a kitchen, store room and lavatory. Everything used in the erection of this beautiful sanctuary is the best that could be obtained. No trouble or expense was spared in its construction, and it is indeed an architectural ornament to the city. The edifice is a credit to the designer and the builders, and the congregation has reason to be very proud of it. |
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Several additions have enhanced the original building, including the installation of an Estey pipe organ in 1917. In 1952, oak floors were put in the sanctuary; the pipe organ was moved and modernized; and the Tiffany windows were given special care. The original oak pews, minister’s chairs, ceiling beams, wood work are still in use. All this work was completed for the seventy-fifth re-dedication in October, 1952. The heavy oak front doors were later replaced with identical oak copies, and the original doors are still retained by the church for future use. First Congregational Church is listed on both the Colorado State Historic Register and the National Historic Register, and is a frequent location for visits by tour groups from the Pueblo County Historical Society. In 2001, a Rogers Trillium 927 organ and console was installed to augment the Estey pipe organ, and for use while the Estey is being rebuilt. In July 2002, the Estey pipe organ interface was completed and the console now controls both the Rodgers and the Estey organs. The casework pipe refinishing was also completed. |
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