The small farming community northwest of  Denver, known as DeSpain Junction, then Harris  Park, was destined for a great university, or so it seemed. Anticipating the building of Westminster University 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 Westminster." The Rev. H.S. Beavis was called as the first minister of the twenty-six member congregation. 

The first church building at 80th and Bradburn was officially dedicated February 25, 1912.  The congregation changed its name to the Westminster Community Church (Presbyterian) on July 18, 1923.  They started meeting at the Grange Hall while the building at the 74th and Bradburn location was built and it was dedicated on August 9, 1925.  This building was razed in 1981. 

Post World War II population growth increased the size of the congregation and a full-time pastor was called and a manse was built to house Dr. Lester Nickless and his family.  The manse was dedicated on May 24, 1953.  The next two buildings were the sanctuary and fellowship hall which was dedicated on November 24, 1957 and the educational building Gillespie Hall, named after a long time member, Janet Gillespie, was dedicated on September 9, 1962.  The latest addition which houses the church offices, two meeting rooms/reception area and the basement which serves the junior and senior high programs, was dedicated on May 31, 1987.

 
Click here for
A Century of Service by Jerry Moore

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The Second Century of Service by Rich & Barb Day