Aspen Community Church History

Then & Now Christmas Eve is a magical time at the Aspen Community Church. ~~Mary Eshbaugh Hayes, Aspen historian
Photo: Aspen Historical Society		Photo: Mary Eshbaugh Hayes
Then		Now
For generations, Aspen children have participated in the Nativity pageant at the Aspen Community Church. Dressed in homemade costumes, they trooped up the stairs from the Sunday school room to the sanctuary. Led by the archangel, there were Joseph and Mary (with a doll playing the baby Jesus), shepherds, wise men, and a bevy of little angels. Sometimes the sheep would be made of cardboard; a few times they were played by lambs from one of the kids' 4-H projects. The children's faces were always glowing with excitement and wonder. The church is one of Aspen's most distinctive buildings, a massive structure built of Frying Pan Valley sandstone, with a large round tower and buttresses in the style of an ancient castle. Located on the corner of Aspen and Bleeker streets, the originally Presbyterian church was built in 1890 at a cost of $20,000. As imposing as the exterior may be, the sanctuary has an unexpected poetic beauty. There are oaken pews and colorful stained-glass windows. The church's cornerstone is a great white block that strongly contrasts with the red walls. It encases a vault containing a Bible, a copy of the official Presbyterian newspaper, some city papers, and the names of all the church officers and workmen who completed the building. During the First World War, the population of Aspen had dwindled, and sentiment for combining the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations grew. In 1934, the two churches voted to exchange properties in Aspen and Loma, Colorado, and the church is served by Methodist pastors to this day.		During 1986 and '87, the venerable building underwent a major restoration. It had never been modernized, which was lucky because almost everything in the church was original. A treasure trove of woodwork, stained glass, and oak furniture existed inside. Built by 19th century carpenters, the building had survived its first hundred years in good shape. Because the church has always been a community hub, the renovation was designed to make it even more accessible. The basement was gutted and renovated so it could host wedding receptions and other social occasions. A new basement entryway provided easy access to the meeting rooms, church offices, and kitchen. Now people only have to enter through the main door to go to the sanctuary to attend services and most weddings. A place to worship, enjoy, and belong – if you are in Aspen for a lifetime or any other time. In addition to church organizations, many other groups use the large meeting room in the basement. The charitable organization Lift Up has been there for the past 16 years. Alcoholics anonymous meets there, teachers give voice and piano lessons, yoga classes do their postures, even Buddhists hold meetings. Speakers rent the sanctuary, and the Aspen Music Festival holds concerts there throughout the summer. Weddings are held, some with ornate decorations, others beautiful in their simplicity. Generations may come and go, but the old church goes on and on, witnessing years of Sunday services, the joys of weddings and baptisms, ad the sadness of funerals.