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BEFORE ORGANIZATION TO 1880
By Rev. Vern L. Klingman
September 18, 1949 |
History Home | Pastors and Ministers | Senior Pastors | Rev. Vern Klingman Preface | Happenings Before Organization | Organization
1860-1861 | 1861-1862 | 1862-1863 | 1863-1864 | 1864-1866 | 1866-1867 | 1867-1868
1868-1869 | 1869-1870 | 1870-1871 | 1871-1872 | 1872-1873 | 1873-1874 | 1874-1875
1875-1876 | 1876-1877 | 1877-1878 | 1878-1879 | 1879-1880
Membership Rolls | Table of Membership Information | Bibliography Preface
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I have prepared this history of the first 20 years of the Golden
Methodist Church, in accordance with sources which were available
to me at this time.
If more information is discovered, space has been allowed at the
end of each Conference year for such additions as found.
Much more might be written concerning the human interest side of
Golden Methodism, had the Church Historians been more careful to
include such information.
The preparation of this History has been a reward of itself. The
rich experiences of the past are an inherited store of deep inspiration
to the present.
Vern L. Klingman Minister to Students September 18, 1949 |
 Rev. Vern L. Klingman |
| Additional information on Rev. Vern L. Klingman, PhD., is available here [click]. | |
| Please Note: In 2000, Church Historian Virginia Gidley digitally recreated Vern's typewritten manuscript. The only alterations made to the original were as a result of spell-check. Here we have the same document in HTML format versus Word. Additional changes to the original document consist of web-related formatting and display issues (for example, using an Arial font versus Times Roman), the addition of navigational links (for this document, and to relevant web sites), and occasional footnotes, at the webmaster's discretion, where applicable. We hope you enjoy! |
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| These starving men returning to the east probably caused as much bloodshed and disorder as did all the various troubles with the Indians on the warpath. It happened that the trail to the only actually rich gold diggings, practically began at the site where Golden is located. Because of this ideal location, many of the early pioneers believed in all seriousness that this would become the king city of the Rocky Mountain Empire Region. Around the present site of Golden were to be found several small "Town-Companies". |
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Golden was organized on June 20, 1859 by eight
persons of the "Boston Company". Such men as W. A. H. Loveland,
E. L. Berthoud, and J. C. Reiby were among the founders. 1
1,280 acres of land was secured on the south side of Clear Creek,
near where this creek emerges from the mountains. 2
Golden prospered and became a rival to Denver City and Auraria.
In years to come it was to house the first Capital of Colorado. 3
Much more could and should be written on these important happenings.
1 Metcalf p. 119, refers us to Stone p. 147 2 Metcalf p. 119 3 History of Colorado, Vol. 3 |
"One inquired of me while I was employed circulating notices, 'will they stop gaming long enough?' They did, but they claimed the hour succeeding for their purposes. I treated them kindly and they in turn, listened respectfully and allowed me, without offense, to preach home truths to them in all plainness and fidelity. They treated me courteously and agreed to let me preach there again." 1If a statement made by the Reverend Goode is right concerning this sermon in the gambling tent, "Right here I made a partial organization of a society"then these few members may have been sufficient to organize a society and make this the second Methodist Church in Colorado.2 |
| The four original members were, William Ball, James S. Shockley, E. B. Smith, and James Price. The Reverend Jacob Adriance was present at this service and noted that there was a large attentive congregation, adding that he took four into the church. That evening the Reverand went to Arapahoe to preach at 5 p.m. where he took in three members making this the third Methodist church organized in Colorado. In the meantime, the Reverend Goode's sermon had been quite acceptable to the gaming men, and he returned Sunday evening at 5 p.m. to preach again that day.3 |
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Of the six Sundays which the Reverend Goode spent in the Colorado
Territory on reconnaissance, he spent two in Golden. After Goode returned
to the states, the Reverend Adriance formed a
circuit composed of Denver City, Arapahoe, Golden City, Boulder, and
Gold Hill which he traveled until the February of 1860, preaching at
each place every third Sunday.
1 Metcalf refers us to Goode, Outposts of Zion, p. 425 2 Metcalf 3 The Diary of Jacob Adriance - July 17, 1859 One week after the first sermon and organization by these two Methodist ministers, the Reverend Adriance returned and preached again in the large round gambling tent in Golden. He reported "good attention with gaming tables, cards, whiskey barrels and bottles in profusion".1On August 20, the Reverend Adriance made calls and got acquainted with the people in Golden City. Then on August 21st he preached in the big tent at 2:30 in the afternoon. Referring to this he says, "good attention, although one whiskey keg, turned up for a seat, was discharging freely. Brother Pickle, the occupant, thinking it best to let it run."2During much of this time the twenty-three year old Reverend Adriance was cutting and stacking hay to feed his horse during the winter. He borrowed a team and wagon to haul it and a scythe to cut it. What little time that was left he spent circulating through the surrounding camps calling and visiting with the men and usually sleeping on the floor.3 The first year of Methodism in Colorado Territory (July 1859- Feb. 1860) found Golden City served by the Reverend J. Adriance as a part of his circuit mission. The annual Kansas-Nebraska Conference was held March 15, 1860. Since the Colorado Territory was in the Rocky Mountain District of the Kansas Conference, it was necessary that the Reverend Adriance return to attend. At this conference Golden City and Boulder were made into a separate appointment with the Reverend Adriance appointed as pastor. John M. Chivington was Presiding Elder for the Rocky Mountain District (this equivalent to present District Supt.)4 After the Conference, young Reverend Jacob Adriance journeyed east to his native New York state where he picked himself a bride, married her, and brought her back with him. He and his bride arrived back in Golden three months after he had left. They rented a house to live in. He arranged to preach in Golden City and Boulder City on alternate Sundays. Preaching and teaching and prayer meetings were held in various homes. By this time the large round tent for gambling was much in demand by the Episcopalian minister who had arrived. Some cooperation developed.5 The total income to the Reverend Adriance during this year of preaching and hardship was $417.98. 377.25 of this was paid by the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church. There was $7.50 received in conducting weddings. The rest was paid in goods as gifts which Reverend Adriance assessed and marked down as salary. Thus the church paid him $23.23.6 |
| 1 Metcalf P.57 - Diary of J. Adriance | 4 Metcalf P. 157 |
| 2 Metcalf P. 123 - Diary of J. Adriance | 5 Diary of J. Adriance |
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3 Diary of J. Adriance |
6 Diary of J. Adriance |
"There is one Sunday School just organized in Golden City with six teachers and officers, 12 scholars, and one Bible Class. We have a good library, sufficient for a small school. There is considerable interest manifested on the part of the children and we hope to have a flourishing school when we 'get a going'." 1During this year the minister received $600 from the Board of Missions. The churches paid $78.65. Mission support for this year looks good when compared with the first year; however, during Reverend Adriance's third year, Mission support was only $180. It is little wonder that after the third year, they decided to return to the east.2 Houses were hard to rent and even that was very high. On March 14, 1861, which was the last of the second year, Reverend Adriance found he could not afford to feed a pony so he traded the pony and saddle for a house and lot here in Golden and spent much of the next three months repairing it. He walked to his various preaching points. This trade is exceedingly strange, for a Methodist Itinerant preacher to make since it was especially common in that day for a minister to change pastorates every year. That is what happened, too, for the Reverend Adriance was appointed to the Central City Church for the next year.3 The Official Board during this year of 1860-61 consisted of: Benjamin J. Dunegan (Local Preacher)
2 Ibid 3 Metcalf 4 Official Records of Golden Methodist Church |
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"look with pleasure upon efforts recently made in Golden City towards erecting a college building to be placed under the control of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and....to recommend it to the patronage of the Conference and to the liberality of the church throughout the bounds." 1Further reference to this attempt has not been discovered. Just what happened to it is unkown. The Golden Church at that time boasted of the following statistics: 2 $3.60 was paid to Conference Claimants During this Conference, Golden City was made a separate appointment with The Reverend D. H. Petefish as the pastor. However, during his absence, which is left unexplained as to the cause, the church was left to be supplied. It is likely that the Reverend A. P. Allen finished the short term until the next session of the Conference at Golden First Methodist Church.3 It is reported that the Golden people enjoyed being the hosts to the Annual Conference.4 The following new names of Official Members are written: J. W. Booth, A. J. Smarts, E. Fellows, Babcock, Gruber, Merrick. The Sunday School was reported as prosperous with 50 members. There were 175 volumes in the church library, and the church members subscribed to 49 Advocates and Good News.5 Information gleaned from the Official Records of the Golden Church differs at points from several other quoted sources. The Golden Church secretary of 1866 apparently wrote in all the information that she could gain for the year of 1863 and further states that, "there are no reports from July 1864 to July 1866". 6 Her account as written in states that the Reverend B. C. Dennis was appointed pastor. Metcalf states that Reverend Petefish was the pastor. She states that there were 50 members in Sunday School, and the records of the Annual Conference show only 40 members. The Golden Secretary of 1866 also states that the church received Missionary support amounting to $400. 7 Because of these variations, afore stated, this figure is also called into question. The secretary is to be highly commended, however, for her attempt to fill in a blind space. She undoubtedly relied upon the memory of herself and others which while not as exact, yet it demonstrates her appreciation of historical record. We are indebted to her thoughtfulness. 1 Minutes of 1st Annual Conference, July 10. 1863 2 Ibid 3 Metcalf P. 162 4 Official Records Golden Church 5 Ibid 6 Ibid 7 Official Records of the Golden Methodist Church. |
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2 Ibid |
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"Golden City's liberal people have put up a chapel for Methodism - furnished and paid for it. It was begun in November and dedicated in January....The building is a plain one outside, having been built as a part of an ultimate building of greater pretentions, but its interior furnishing is attractive and comfortable, holding from 150 to 200 persons." 1The cost of the building plus the organ was $3,040. The records further indicate the following statistics: Members - 26 Probationers - 22 Minister's salary - $405.89 2 From the Golden Church records we read that "In July 1868, the Reverend B. T. Vincent was appointed as the Presiding Elder of the District, with understanding that he live in Golden and also act as pastor. On November 1, 1868, the present church edifice was begun and on January 17, 1869, it was dedicated by Brother Vincent with The Reverend J. L. Peck preaching the dedication sermon and The Reverend G. H. Adams preaching again at night." 3These records tell us the total cost was $5 more that stated in the Conference minutes. Also that $500 of the total sum was raised on the day of the dedication. The only outside help was $100 which was given by Governor Evans. The large measure of credit was given to the labors and energy of the Reverend B. T. Vincent for the commendable job of getting the church built and paid for.4 |
The following members were received:
Mr. and Mrs. R. H. HarrisAlice Polk Hill in her book on 'Colorado Pioneers in Pictures and Story' tells us that the Reverend B. T. Vincent was the man who started Golden's first public library.5 |
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1 Minutes of Denver District Conference 1868-69
(Colorado Historical Museum Archives) 2 Ibid 3 Official Records of the Golden First Methodist 4 Ibid 5 Hill, Alice Polk, 'Colorado Pioneers in Pictures and Story' 1869-1870 |
"During Brother Brook's pastorate, there was built and paid for, a study which became the present front room of the parsonage." 1The minutes of the Denver District Conference, "A Bible-Class room was built onto the chapel at Golden. It was paid for at the same time." 2 Whether this room which was built was called "a Bible-class room" and "a study for a front room of the parsonage" is not certain but that is probably what happened. During this year Missionary help amounted to $250. The church itself raised $625. It raised $40 for Missions and paid $10 into Church Extension.3 1 Official Records, Golden First Methodist Church 2 Minutes, Denver District Conference, 1869-70 3 Official Records, Golden First Methodist Church |
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2 Official Records of the Golden First Methodist Church 3 Ibid 4 Ibid |
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"The Pastor with his own hands put a $400 addition to the parsonage, (2 rooms) raising most of the money for it by lectures. Besides this the lot was fenced in, a side-walk put down, and Hymn and Tune books and these Church Record books purchased." 1New members this year were "the Bennetts (2 of them), Mrs. Bush, Mrs. Burns, the Edwards (4 of them), A. C. Smith, R. H. Stewart, Wm. White, etc. etc."2 1 Official Records of the Golden First Methodist Church 2 Ibid |
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2 Ibid 3 Ibid 4 Ibid 5 Ibid |
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2 Ibid 3 Ibid |
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2 Ibid |
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2 Ibid 3 Ibid 4 Ibid |
The Reverend Uzzell writes, "The work began with interest at once. It was plainly seen, the only hope was a revival of religion. God answers prayer and his faithful ones began to call on Him and the work began. For nine weeks the meetings ran both day and night. The Lord knows how many were converted and sanctified." 3The earnestness of these seekers for God found 38 persons baptised; 83 persons joined on probation; 64 received in full connection4 and an actual revitalized faith in the reality of God. Eight more persons were received later in the year. Of the 64 persons received into full membership, only 27 were married folk. 5 Financial obligations were met in full with $60 being paid to Missions and $15 paid to Church Extension. 6 The Reverend Charles S. Uzzell was returned to the Golden Church until July of 1883. Thus he served this church for 3 years and 8 months. Under his guidance from 1881 to 1883, the church was enlarged at the expense of $2,000.7 It is quite evident that under the inspiring leadership of this man of God, great strides were taken in the spiritual life of Golden Methodism. 1 Official Records of the Golden First Methodist Church 2 Ibid 3 Ibid 4 Ibid 5 Ibid 6 Ibid 7 Ibid |
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July 17, 1859 Original Members |
William Ball James Price |
James S. Shockley E. B. Smith |
| Feb. 14, 1860 |
Mary Price Mary Price Jr. 1 |
Susan Smith |
| 1863 |
A. J. Swarts J. W. Booth E. Fellows |
Babcock Gruber Merrick |
| July 1866 |
J. Bush Gunn Platts Rand Howard |
Frake Kelly Carpenter Cummings |
| 1868-1869 |
Mr. & Mrs. R.H. Harris Mr. & Mrs. A. Bacon |
Mr. & Mrs. R. Millikin |
| 1869-1870 | Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Case | |
| 1873 |
Susan Raymond Sarah A.Stanton Mrs. E. A. Benson Mary J. Simmons Hattie O. Burgess Rocklinn Bennett Helen Bennett Christina Bush Ferrandus Hatfield R. H. Stewart Wm. White Jesse O. Wells John L. Moffitt Geo. Newton Mr. and Mrs. Edwards and two children |
Lizzie Tarbel Margaret Wells Alice Wells Lillie Birch Fred Stebbins Willie Bush Johnie Bush Charles A. Bell Carrie McGlothlin A. C. Smith Mrs. Burns Lizzie Burns Paulina Belt Mrs. Geo. Newton 2 |
| 1874 |
Mr. and Mrs. S. M. French Edith White William White Hanna Schlessinger Lerra Barnes Laura Simons |
Mary Martin Julia White Albert C. Lillard Joseph F. Everitt Mrs. Waggoner Mr. & Mrs. P. I. Smith |
| 1875 | Frances M. Brown | Charlotte White |
| 1876 |
John H. Barnes Amanda Barnes Margaret Nichols Charles A. Davis Mary A. Davis Evea Stephens Leander J. Smith |
Mary Emma Overton Amelia Sarell John F. Jones Charles A. Stickle Ella A.Faulkner Anna Stephens |
| 1877 |
Mary S. Spencer Ida L. Overton Allen J. Hoar |
John Spencer Abyjah G. Smith |
| 1878 |
Mr. and Mrs J. A. Apperson John A. Hall Mary J. Hall Maria D. Quist Joseph Collom Mrs. Eva M. Frasier |
Agnes Crary Bertha Crary Mattie Bates Mamie Stickle Anna Lee 3 |
| 1880 | The Reverend Uzzell conducted an evangelical campaign during this year. The following are the results. Only 27 of the 64 admitted to full membership, were married. | |
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Miss Matilda J. Treble Oliver Albright Louis M. Crary Wilber Stebbins Rebbeca Sinbin Joseph Dennis, Jr. Charles J. Collom J. H. Sinbin Geo. B. Hall Alonzo Edwards R. M. Walker Maggie Walker Mrs. M. James Mrs. May Jane Osborn Charlie Walley Mary Ella Parker Eliza R. Howe Emma M. Howe Grace Goldsworthy Martha J. Collom Mary E. Collom Fredrick W. Frasier Wm. Thompson Mrs. N. L. Tumer Ann Nicholls Albert E. Webb Joseph Bowden Wm. C. Nicholls Mrs. S. M. Ramsden Mrs. J. W. Arnnold Emma King D. L. Alden Anna Rojers Joseph Bowden, Jr. (backslider) |
C. A. White Kate Barr (backslider) Laura Matthews Eva Osborn Elizabeth Rogers Nellie S. Stickle Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Ball Natlie Ball Dana M. Coe Emma Bates James Oats (backslider) Burtie Parker Wm. Prout James Nackiville James S. Neva Wanna Bowden Robert I. Millikin John W. Booth Frank E. Songer (backslider) Fred Schlessinger H. T. Quick D. K. Su Charles Sangevein John A. Stanton Mary Stanton Sarah Stanton Geo. W. Parfitt Caleb Parfitt Geo. Shinton Mrs. R. Wiseman W. W. Proctor May A. Proctor John Terrill Nathan Stanton |
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1 Metcalf 2 Official Records Golden Methodist Church 3 Ibid |
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| Year | Number Received on Probation | Number Received into Full Membership | Died [Prospects of Heaven] | Dismissed by Letter | Dropped | Backsliders |
| 1873 | 35 | 32 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 1874 | 15 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1875 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1876 | 15 ? | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1877 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1878 | 13 | 12 | ? | ? | 4 | 0 |
| 1879 | 5 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| 1880 | 82 | 64 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Please Note: The chart above comes from the back of Rev. Klingman's history of the Golden Methodist Church ("Before Organization to 1880"). It is interesting to note the various categories in which the members are placed! |
| Colorado Short Studies, Past and Present | ||
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A copy of this is held in the Golden Public Library. This is a good source book to discuss the |
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Inception of the Colorado School of Mines - p. 135 Growth and loss of mining population - pp.111-113 Population of towns in this area in 1860, p. 72 etc. |
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| Hill, Alice Polk | ||
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"Colorado Pioneers in Picture and Story" This book is possessed by the Golden Public Library. There are a very limited number of copies in existence. |
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| History of Colorado - Volume III | ||
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Published in 1891 - A set of volumes is possessed by the Golden Public Library. |
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| Official Records of the Golden First Methodist Church | ||
| Metcalf, Kenneth | ||
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"History of Early Methodism in Colorado" A Doctoral Dissertation at the Iliff School of Theology |
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| Stone's "History of Colorado" | ||
| Records of the Colorado Annual Conferences | ||
| Records of the Denver District Conferences | ||
| These documents are found in the Colorado Historical Society Building on 14th Street in Denver, Colorado. | ||
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Last Revised: March 30, 2005.