Wasn’t it Rev. William Crawford who laid the foundation for this remarkable First Plymouth Congregational Church? He was sent to Denver in 1863 to establish a Congregational church. The story of First Plymouth Congregational Church goes back nearly to the very beginning of Denver.
Crawford was not impressed by his first visit to Denver. He moved to Central City and established the first Congregational church in the Colorado territory. But he returned to Denver in the fall of 1864. On October 9, 1864, he founded the First Congregational Church of Denver. There were only 12 charter members. Rev. Norman McLeod was the first pastor.
Like other new churches in the pioneer city, the congregation had no permanent home. They met in various places. In 1869, they built their first church. It was at the corner of 15th and Curtis Street. At the time, it was a pleasant residential area. The congregation grew. The business district encroached. Soon, it was time to move.
In 1881, a new structure was built. It seated 900 people. It stood in the 1600 block of Glenarm Place. That location is now the site of the Paramount Theatre. Several pastors served during the Glenarm years. Rev. Myron Reed was one. He was a noted social action minister. His sermons were widely published each week. By 1907, the business district was again closing in. The congregation decided to move up on “the hill”. They moved to a new building at E. 10th Avenue and Clarkson Street. On January 13, 1907, the Glenarm church was engulfed in flames after the final service. The congregation had already arranged to meet at Temple Emanuel. They met in the new building for the first time on November 7, 1907. Rev. Monroe Markley was the pastor then.
Another group of Congregationalists formed the Park Avenue Congregational Church in 1884. They built a small church at 17th Avenue and Ogden Street. In 1891, the struggling congregation needed a pastor. Rev. Frank T. Bayley was vacationing in Colorado. He preached a few times at the small church. The congregation liked Rev. Bayley. They offered him the position. The congregation voted to rename the church Plymouth Congregational Church. This was in honor of his former pastorate. Dr. Bayley pastored the church for 26 years. He served until his death in 1917. During his time, the congregation grew and built a large stone church at E. 14th Avenue and Lafayette St.
By 1929, both First and Plymouth churches were struggling. Members moved away. Other congregations drew members away from the center city churches. The Great Depression of 1929 worsened the situation. The solution was a merger. The two congregations became First Plymouth Congregational Church. They met at the Lafayette St. building.
By the mid-1950s, the congregation was again growing. Traffic and parking became issues. There was no room to expand. Staying on Capitol Hill was not an option. In 1955, the church bought property at Hampden Avenue and South Colorado Boulevard. At the time, it was the edge of the city. A new modern church was built. The congregation worshiped there for the first time on November 30, 1958.
In 1961, the congregation joined the United Church of Christ (U.C.C.). It was created by a merger of other churches. Rev. Dr. Stuart Haskins became the pastor in 1967. He served for 26 years. Dr. Haskins is now the Pastor Emeritus. In 2005, Rev. George C. Anastos became the current pastor of First Plymouth Congregational Church. In 2014, First Plymouth Congregational Church celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Today, First Plymouth Congregational Church stands as a testament to its rich history. Its journey reflects the spirit of Denver itself, growing and adapting.