|
Click
here for History of Methodism
|
History
of the First United Methodist Church of Castle Rock
The First United Methodist Church of Castle Rock has been serving this
community since Sunday, May 17, 1874. On that morning, the first sermon
was preached in a local carpenter's shop. By July 11, 1874, the Castle
Rock circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed. In those
days, pastors generally served an area for only one to two years, where a
number of Methodist societies were located, or could be started. The
pastors would visit the people in their homes and preach at designated
locations, usually arriving on horseback. That is how the name of
"circuit rider" came into being for Methodist Episcopal Church
pastors.
During the first year of the Castle Rock circuit, a Certificate of
Incorporation was obtained for the church. The first pastor, C.A.
Brooks, bought a lot and built the first small parsonage. By 1887, a
plan was developed for the first church on lots facing the old Courthouse
Square, (today's 3rd and Wilcox Street). The church was erected at a
cost of $2,000.00, dedicated free of debt, and supplied with an excellent
Estey organ. In 1892, an Epworth League was begun for the Christian
youth fellowship who came to town to board while attending school. By
1904, the Sunday School program was organized. The circuit was now
limited to the Castle Rock, Sedalia, and Franktown, enabling the pastor to
dedicate more time to the emerging congregation of 55 members.
As the church began to grow, it was decided that a new site was
necessary. A deal was made with the 1st National Bank of Douglas County
to move the church structure to the 3rd and Perry Street location. This
was done in March, 1904 at a cost of $245.00. By then, the Sunday
school enrollment had reached 200. The old parsonage was sold and a new
one was built and occupied the same year.
In 1921, plans were begun for a new church. The old church building
would be sold and moved to 4th and Perry Street, where it would be remodeled
and converted into apartments. Construction on the new church at 3rd
and Perry Street began in 1922. This would be a basement church for 25
years. It seated between 75 and 90 people and all the seats were
usually filled. Eventually the church would be completed in 1948.
By 1958, a Sunday School wing had been added to the church. The
addition was paid for within one year. Records show the membership was
258 at the time. In 1960, the house at 212 Perry was purchased and the
rent used to make payments until it was sold, with proceeds being applied to
the purchase of a new parsonage in 1967.
By 1972, lots were purchased on South Street with thoughts of a new and
larger building in the future. In 1977, the present structure at 1200
South Street was erected. We have been in this South Street location
for 27 years. Membership has reached 550. We go forward in Faith,
anticipating a promising future!
|
