Marble Community Church
Encyclopedia
Marble Community Church, formerly called St. Paul's Church, is a historic Episcopal church at 123 State Street in Marble, Colorado
. The church's main building was originally the building of the St. John’s Episcopal Chapel, which was built in Aspen, Colorado in 1886. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1989.
, though the town lacked a church building for which to hold the school. In 1908, the one-room St. John's Episcopal Chapel building, constructed in 1886 a short distance northeast of Marble in Aspen
, was no longer required and the diocese
made it available for relocation to Marble. The chapel was dismantled and moved by railroad car to a new location at 123 State Street where it was reassembled on two lots of land purchased with a $2500 donation by the Episcopal Women's Guild. The new church was renamed and dedicated as St. Paul’s. Shortly after the establishment, an extension was carried out to enlarge the church through the addition of two side rooms. Further enlargement of the church was carried out in 1911, with the addition of a belfry
containing a 500-pound bell.
however, brought about the closure of the town's local marble quarries and Marble Company mill. As a result, the town saw a decline in its population which resulted in the closure of the church in 1941. The building was left empty and unused for a number of years, remaining in the care of the Williams brothers.
The church would remain empty for over ten years, until in the early 1950s, permission was granted to reuse the old building. It was then used to hold prayer meetings and hymn singing services. A renewed interest in these services grew, and shortly after they began a congregation had formed and adopted the name Marble Community Church. George A. Drake, who would later become a president of Grinnell College
served the congregation 1960 and 1961. In 1974, the congregation received permission to move back into the old church in exchange for assuming responsibility for the care and maintenance of the building. In 1983, The Marble Community Church became incorporated under the laws of Colorado and after negotiation the Rev. Fr. Cyril Coverly of the Episcopal Diocese was able to present the deed to the building and land back to the congregation on July 7, 1985. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1989 as a Historic Place in Gunnison County, Colorado
.
The church represents an example of an early religious structure in a mining community and is the town's only example of Gothic architecture
. In 2002 renovations were initiated to update the original church as well as begin construction of a new fellowship hall
with a grant from the Colorado Historical Society, donations from the community and volunteer labor. The project was subsequently completed in 2004, at which time a breezeway
to connect these two buildings was also carried out. The Marble Community Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008.
Marble, Colorado
Marble is a Statutory Town in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. The population was 131 at the 2010 census.-History:The town of Marble was first incorporated in 1899...
. The church's main building was originally the building of the St. John’s Episcopal Chapel, which was built in Aspen, Colorado in 1886. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1989.
Construction and early History
By the beginning of the 20th century, Marble was home to an active children's Sunday schoolSunday school
Sunday school is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays by various denominations.-England:The first Sunday school may have been opened in 1751 in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. Another early start was made by Hannah Ball, a native of High Wycombe in...
, though the town lacked a church building for which to hold the school. In 1908, the one-room St. John's Episcopal Chapel building, constructed in 1886 a short distance northeast of Marble in Aspen
Aspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
, was no longer required and the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
made it available for relocation to Marble. The chapel was dismantled and moved by railroad car to a new location at 123 State Street where it was reassembled on two lots of land purchased with a $2500 donation by the Episcopal Women's Guild. The new church was renamed and dedicated as St. Paul’s. Shortly after the establishment, an extension was carried out to enlarge the church through the addition of two side rooms. Further enlargement of the church was carried out in 1911, with the addition of a belfry
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
containing a 500-pound bell.
Re-establishment
St. Paul's Church was a center for religious and social activities and provided for three congregations: Episcopal, Union Congregational, and Catholic, as well as acting as a meeting place for other groups. The imminence of the approaching World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
however, brought about the closure of the town's local marble quarries and Marble Company mill. As a result, the town saw a decline in its population which resulted in the closure of the church in 1941. The building was left empty and unused for a number of years, remaining in the care of the Williams brothers.
The church would remain empty for over ten years, until in the early 1950s, permission was granted to reuse the old building. It was then used to hold prayer meetings and hymn singing services. A renewed interest in these services grew, and shortly after they began a congregation had formed and adopted the name Marble Community Church. George A. Drake, who would later become a president of Grinnell College
President of Grinnell College
Since the college's founding in 1846, Grinnell College has had thirteen presidents and seven acting presidents. The College president is responsible for all aspects of the institution's internal and external affairs, including administrative and academic decision-making.While Iowa College, later...
served the congregation 1960 and 1961. In 1974, the congregation received permission to move back into the old church in exchange for assuming responsibility for the care and maintenance of the building. In 1983, The Marble Community Church became incorporated under the laws of Colorado and after negotiation the Rev. Fr. Cyril Coverly of the Episcopal Diocese was able to present the deed to the building and land back to the congregation on July 7, 1985. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1989 as a Historic Place in Gunnison County, Colorado
National Register of Historic Places listings in Gunnison County, Colorado
This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Gunnison County, Colorado. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States...
.
The church represents an example of an early religious structure in a mining community and is the town's only example of Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
. In 2002 renovations were initiated to update the original church as well as begin construction of a new fellowship hall
Fellowship hall
A fellowship hall is a large room in a church building where certain activities in the church building are done, such as certain dinners, breakfasts, meetings, workshops, etc...
with a grant from the Colorado Historical Society, donations from the community and volunteer labor. The project was subsequently completed in 2004, at which time a breezeway
Breezeway
A breezeway is an architectural feature similar to a hallway that allows the passage of a breeze between structures to accommodate high winds, allow aeration, or provide aesthetic design variation. Often a breezeway is a simple roof connecting two structures ; sometimes it can be much more like a...
to connect these two buildings was also carried out. The Marble Community Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008.
