St. Vrain Historical Society - Longmont, CO
Posted by: Outspoken1
N 40° 10.032 W 105° 06.148
13T E 491274 N 4446320
Built in 1881, this was the first home for St. Stephen's Episcopal parish. It was saved from the wrecking ball by the St. Vrain Historical Society and has become their home.
Waymark Code: WMNP80
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 04/12/2015
Views: 4
"Mission
The St. Vrain Historical Society, Inc. promotes historic education and preservation in Longmont and the surrounding St. Vrain Valley.
History
The Society became a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation in 1963 after functioning for many years as a less formal group. The activities of the Society are managed by a fifteen member Board of Directors who meet monthly, and implemented by a part-time staff and active member volunteers. The Annual Meeting of the Society is held each February and members are kept informed of Society activities through a bimonthly newsletter." (from (
visit link) )
"Old St. Stephen's Church was built in 1881 as the first home for the congregation of St. Stephen's Episcopal parish. The congregation of 45 communicants held their first services in their new church on Palm Sunday in April 1882. The building was painted white in 1915, and the Main Street landmark became known as "the Little White Church." Over the years the congregation expanded, a parish hall was erected to the east of the building and later a classroom/office building was built on the south side.
By the late 1960's the congregation numbered more than 300 and the sanctuary built to serve 100 had become woefully inadequate. In 1971 the church was sold and the congregation moved to a new, more spacious home on Bross Street in Southmoor Park. A five-year, community campaign to save the historic little church led to the purchase of the property by the St. Vrain Historical Society in 1976. The church has since been restored; stained glass windows replicated and installed; and the exterior returned to its original red brick.
Designated a local historic landmark and also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old St. Stephen's continues to be owned and maintained by the Historical Society. It is presently used as the business office for the St. Vrain Historical Society, and houses a modest research library. Visitors are able to enjoy the historic ambience of the building during regular business hours.
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00am – 2:30pm
Thursday 12:30 – 2:30pm
Closed on Friday" (from (
visit link) )
The NRHP Form may be found at (
visit link) .