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THE CHURCH
COMES T0 LARIMER COUNTY
From memoirs of W. B. Osborn: "ln the month of June, 1863, a
modest Methodist preacher by the name of Antes rode up to our door,
and rapped thereon with his whip still sitting in his saddle, I-le
made known his wants, informing me that he was a Methodist preacher
and that he had been directed here by Captain Norton of Boulder,
a fine Christian gentleman, whom I had met in the mining camp by
the name of Gold Dirt in 1860. Here he was informed that he would
find a Christian family to entertain him. He requested that I should
announce a meeting for that evening. I did so by going to all of
the neighbors and requested them all to come, as there would be but
a few at most-if they all came. All told, there were 13 including
the minister. The names of those at the first service in this county
were: W. B. Osborn, Margaret C. Osborn, Millard F. Osborn, Milo Y.
Osborn, Ella C. Osborn, Samuel Heffner, John N. Hollowell, John E.
Washburn, Mrs. John E. Washburn, Winnie Washburn, and Joseph Markley
and wife, and Brother Antes, the preacher. Here was sung the first
hymn, the first prayer offered for church service, and the first
sermon preached in Larimer County. Arrangements were made for services
monthly."
Our First Church Building
In 1880 David Barnes, on whose homestead Loveland is situated, extended
the offer of a building site to any church that would erect a building
in the new town. The three churches responding were the Methodists,
the United Brethren and the United Presbyterian. The Methodists selected
the site on Cleveland Avenue. It was dedicated on August 8, 1880.
Loveland was three years old. A. N. Fields was Pastor.
Our Second Church
In 1887 Barnes Chapel was named in memory of David Barnes, "Father
of Loveland." Mr. Barnes had been killed by falling from a
load of hay the preceding year. A generous gift by his wife, Sarah
Barnes, made the chapel possible. She was for many years, until
her death, a faithful member and liberal supporter of this church.
Our Third Church
Our third church was dedicated December 29, 1901. The "Loveland
Reporter" of January 2, 1902, carried an account of the dedication. "The
largest indoor audience ever assembled in Loveland was the one that
gathered at the Methodist Church last Sunday morning to see
the new edifice properly dedicated. Through professional courtesy,
every minister in town abandoned regular service, and, with his members,
attended the Methodist service and participated in the program."
Tragically, 40 years later, the church caught fire on a Sunday morning
and was completely destroyed. Thankfully, everyone was able to exit
the building and there was no loss of life.
Our Fourth and Present Church
This building stands on the corner of Grant and Sixth Streets.
It was consecrated on February 18, 1951. The sanctuary has a seating
capacity of four hundred, a Fellowship Hall beneath the sanctuary,
a well equipped kitchen, and a parlor with
a
seating
capacity of
one hundred. The building is of salmon rose brick, concrete and
steel, as nearly fire proof as possible. It is of Gothic design.
On February 26, 1956, an educational wing to the south of the main
building was dedicated, It matches the sanctuary in design. It was
built on three levels. In 1976 the Florence Coy Memorial Hall was
built and dedicated. Coy Hall now houses our kitchen, overflow for
worship and our Youth Range.
In 2008 we completed the redesing of our Children's education area,
updating both the look and feel of Sunday
School and Children's Education.
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