WPC Westminster Presbyterian Church, USA
A Century of Service
Written Circa 1993 by Jerry Moore
The small farming community northwest of Denver, known first as DeSpain Junction, then Harris Park, was destined for a great university, or so it seemed. Anticipating the building of Westminster Unmiversity on Crown Point, the Rev. T.M. Hopkins, promoter of the Presbyterian University, encouraged the Harris Park Community to begin a Presbyterian Church.
On January 3, 1892 services were held in the schoolhouse and continued regularly until August 14, 1892, when the Mission Committee of the Presbytery of Denver organized the, "University Presbyterian Church of Westmister." The Rev. H.S. Beavis was called as the first Minister of the twenty-six-member congregation.
The stonework on the University building, designed by Sanford White, was completed in 1893, but it was 1908 before classes actually began at what was known as the "Princeton of the West." The congregation, ever hopeful, continued meeting in homes or the schoolhouse until 1902 when the Presbytery dissolved the relationship. A local resident, the Rev. Walter S. Rudolph, often served as minister for the fledgling congregation. In 1903, when the opening of the University seemed imminent, the Rev. Rudolph interested the Presbytery in establishing a "new" Church for Westminster, however it had much in common with the previous church, including the name.
Westminster University classes began in 1907, at Central Presbyterian Church, in Denver, and in 1908, moved to the permanent campus on the hill, later known as Gregory Hill. There was a full faculty and a student body of sixty, many of whom were involved in the life of the congregation. A full time minister was desired, so the Rev. Rudolph resigned and the Rev. J. Mont Travis was called. Immediately a drive for a permanent church home bagan. A site was selected on Cornell Street, now 80th Avenue and Bradburn Boulevard, a location now taken by the Boulder Turnpike, (U.S. Highway 36).
The chapel was completed for Thanksgiving Services in 1911, and an official dedication followed, February 23, 1912. The Rev Travis resigned a year later and a succession of interim and stated supply pastors followed until the coming of the Rev. A. Wilbur Liggitt in 1915.
Westminster University closed permanently in 1917, due to a drop in student body and severe financial problems. The congregation began planning at once to relocate to the center of Westminster, the name the town had taken with the opening of the University. A site was purchased at the corner of 74th Avenue and Bradburn Boulevard, in 1922, the same year the Rev. Liggitt resigned. After the sale of the Chapel, the congregation met in the Grange Hall while the new building was being construted under the guidance of Frank Day. Dedication was August 9, 1925.
Having been renamed Westminster Community Church (Presbyterian), in 1919; the church became a true community center during the Depression, when the town struggled to survive. Local resident the Rev. William Gregory, father of Janet Gillespie, often filled the pulpit when stated supply ministers were unavailable.
There was a period of dissention within the congregation between 1930 and 1935. Healing began under the Rev. G.R. Edmundson, Westminster resident and Presbytery Executive. With the coming of the Rev. Paul M. Bourns, a graduate student at Denver University, the congregation was reunited.
It was at this time, in 1936, that Janet Gillespie was elected an Elder, the first woman Elder in Colorado.
In 1940, the Rev. A.W. Liggitt had retired and agreed to return to minister to the congregation part time and remained until 1951.
A choir had been formed for the chapel dedication service in 1912, and music became an important part of church services. Mrs. Lavina Lewis became choir director and organist in 1937, and served enthusiastically for many years. A new Hammond Spinet Organ was purchased in 1951, and was the pride of the congregation.
After World War II, the congregation grew dramatically as suburbs were created out of land that had been cherry and apple orchards. The church building was expanded by digging out the basement in 1951.
A full time resident minister, the Rev. Lester Nickless was called in 1953, A manse was in readiness for the Nickless family; Les, Elizabeth and son Bob; thanks to volunteer labor and local contractor Wilbur Haggstrom. Immediately plans to build a new sanctuary were underway, with a loyalty dinner in 1954; launching a building fund drive, Francis M. Day, Chairman. The new sanctuary was dedicated Thanksgiving Sunday, 1957.
A larger sanctuary necessitated a larger organ, and the current Allen C-4 Organ was purchased in 1961, and soon thereafter, Mrs. Dolores Osborn became organist. The church was alive with music during the '60's and '70's! Under the direction of many dedicated volunteers, choirs were available for every age group, a total of seven choirs; Chancel, Chapel, Crusader, Carol, Angel, Melody and Cherub. A set of Schulmerich hand bells were purchased with Memorial Funds in 1971, and hand bell choirs became a part of the music ministry, directed by Peg Dougherty.
The new Christian Faith and Life Curriculum, designed and published by the Presbyterian Church, was adopted for use through the church school in 1953. The following year, a council of Christian Education was formed to guide the growing church school. Plans for expanding educational facilities were started soon after the new sanctuary was completed, and the new wing, Janet Gillespie Hall, was dedicated September 9, 1962. Elder Donald Hereford served as Building Committee Chairman.
Two women's groups had a long and faithful history in the church: The Women's Missionary Society, which met for Bible Study and supported the work of the Presbytery Missions; and the Women's Christian Service League, also known as the Ladies Aid Society, which raised funds for community and church projects. On January 1, 1955, these two groups joined to form the Women's Association and organized the "circle" structure still in place today.
Another vital organization, that came into being at this time, was the Celtic Cross Mariner Ship, created from a couples' Church School class in February, 1955, and chartered with the National Mariner Organization. In September 1961, a sister ship the S.S. Iona, set sail. The two merged in 1967, taking the name of S.S. Fellowship. Many church projects were undertaken as cargo, including church work days, decorating the Sanctuary for Advent; and very successful Mission Fairs, to name a few.
With so many organiozations and activities it was decided to start a church newsletter so the BROADCASTER was created, the first issue appearing March, 1956, Mildred Melville, Editor.
Membership of the Westminster United Presbyterian Church, the name adopted in 1957, peaked in 1967 at 1215 members. Dr. Nickless was assisted by a series of assistant ministers until his retirement in 1978.
It was during the tenure of Rev. Holly Barges, as Associate Minister, that the Drama Ministry began. "The Cup of Trembling" was presented by the Senior Highs. In 1978, a committee called RISK Evangelism suggesred that drama program be expanded. Dar Welborn was asked to be the Director, and the first Summer Musical Godspell premiered that year.
Another of the Associate Ministers - Rev. Harold Davis led a very successful Bethel Bible Study during 1972-76. Hal was the advisor for the church's Senior High Melodrama/Variety Shows, which are still continuing today. Hal and Kirby Davis and the congregation hosted the Rev. Robert Whiteford and his wife Joan, during the ministerial exchange in 1975,. which saw Les and Elizabeth Nickless serving the Ferry Hill South Church of Aberdeen, Scotland. The Rev. Davis was also moderator of Denver Presbytery, and was the director of Synod Schools.
The Rev E. Edward Thwaites, his wife Nancy and three sons were welcomed to Westminster, in August, 1980.
The old church building was raised in 1981, and after much study, plans were formulated for an office addition. A "Building to Serve," campaign was conducted, Garnet Price, Chairman, and the addition was dedicated May 31, 1987.
Through its, "Century of Service," Westminster Church has had a strong sense of mission, even in the most difficult financial years. Through personal interest programs of the Presbyterian Church, support was given to National and Foreign Missionaries, in addition to General Mission giving. Currently Jim and Arlene Rockwood in the Philippines are our personal interest partners.
Since 1956, the church has assisted in the relocation of over 50 refugees, from such countries as: Cuba, Holland, Germany, Indonesia, Afghanistan and Cambodia. To name a few: the first family, Elfriede Heike and son Adolf from Germany, the well remembered Seng Chea family from Cambodia, followed by the Lim and Vongrith families. It has been an all congregation effort to coordinate new homes and often clothes and furnishings, etc. for these families, but the rewards have obviously been many fold.
The youth have raised funds for work camps and mission projects, the most ambitious being a trip to Yakutar, Alaska in 1986. Currently they are enjoying the completion of a Youth Lounge, made possible by Melodrama performances and other fund raising projects.
At a special meeting of Presbytery held in, Westminster Church, Elder A.C. McClelland was ordained to the ministry of the church as an evanglist on September 22, 1912. Years later several of our young people nurtured by our Christian Education program, came under the care of Presbytery and were later ordained: the Rev. Richard George, September 18, 1966, Rev. Frank Hayes, June 13, 1971 and the Rev. Tura Coffey Hayes, June 18, 1972. In addition Barbara Williams, working in Christian Education obtained a D.C.E. Degree and Tim Evans a former member, entered the ministry of the Christian Church, and is currently in Walker, MO.
Locally, the church cosponsors two senior residences, Highland West and Highland South. In keeping with strong community tradition, the Session and other organizations give time and money to mission projects of Denver Presbytery and social service organizations of Adams County. The church facility, over the years, has opened its door to Boy Scout Troop 324, Cub Pack 324, and many non-profit groups serving Westminster.