Church marks 100 years

By Catherine Roberts
Contributor

Editor's note: The following was excerpted from Catherine Roberts' history of Livermore Community Church.

It seems incumbent on us to remember the moments of importance in our progress. And so in the year of 2005 we celebrate the organization of our Community Church and honor the memory of the Livermore residents who established an official body responsible for the corporate worship of our God.

Religious services had been held since at least 1875 when Father Byrne of the Episcopal Church in Fort Collins held a meeting at The Forks, a newly finished hotel. Gatherings continued there, as well as at the Livermore Hall and Hotel, schoolhouses and private homes in the years to follow.

"Divine Services" as they were referred to in newspaper reports were often conducted by clergy of the Episcopal Church, encouraged perhaps by the English settlers, but other denominations were also represented. The Rev. W. H. Schureman and Rev. Franklin Moore were both circuit riders, commissioned by the Boulder Presbytery. Livermore benefited greatly by these visits.

In 1905, a petition was presented to the Presbytery of Boulder for the organization of a church. Arrangements were made for the pastors of LaPorte and Waverly to maintain services.

For many years, the Livermore Church lacked its own worship facilities, and by 1929 members had begun to feel remiss in that there was no edifice in the community to indicate that the Lord's presence was among them.

Consequently, and in the middle of the Great Depression, an effort was made to collect funds to remedy the defect. This done, contributions of materials and labor were also donated.

A chapel was erected on three-quarters of an acre on the hill above The Forks. The land was contributed by Stewart C. Case, owner of The Forks at the time. H. H. Hale, a contractor and carpenter, assisted in the work. Money to buy a piano and seats was raised. The pulpit was a gift.

A dedication service was held May 28, 1933. Among those present were Rev. Franklin Moore and Rev. W. H. Schureman, two Presbyterian missionaries.

In 1955, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its organization as a Presbyterian Church, a covered-dish dinner celebrated the event. The meeting was held in the present Community Hall, a brick building constructed in 1948. The chapel on the hill had fallen into disrepair. The Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity furnished part of the music program for the anniversary with a quartet, which included David Roberts. The Rev. H. C. Welker of Loveland, pastor at the time, preached the sermon. Among the guests was Mrs. S. M. Lucas of Fort Collins who joined the congregation when it was formed in 1905.

Not always in use, the church building (now called the chapel) had improvements made to try to keep it in repair. In the meantime, other locations and various ministers were obtained. In the early 1940s, the Ministerial Alliance of Fort Collins had supplied preachers from large congregations who gave sermons on Sunday afternoons after fulfilling their duties in the city in the morning. Thus Livermore was benefited by the best-educated clergy in the area. Other times, CSU professors volunteered.

The population grew and transportation was no longer a problem, so the Presbytery withdrew support from the rural areas. Affiliation with the Livermore Church ceased in 1968.

The First Baptist Church of Fort Collins offered to fill the pulpit. Some lay ministers, some ordained, all were dedicated and excellent proclaimers of the Gospel. The chapel was sometimes used, but especially in the winter the congregation met at the schoolhouse. Eventually permission was withdrawn because of school policy.

Contact was made with Village Missions, an organization dedicated to assisting rural churches. The first minister obtained through this source was Mark Canady. This was his first pastorate, but he proved to be a blessing. During his tenure the size of the congregation increased with the influx of new inhabitants. It was decided that a larger building was a necessity. Ed and Sarah Nauta offered over four acres, which joined the original site.

On Easter Sunday, April 19, 1987, the first services were held in the new church building, which had been erected by contractor Don Thode with donations of labor, materials and furnishings.

The Rev. Canady was succeeded by the Rev. Steve Ratzlaff, who was succeeded by the Rev. Kenneth Hall. His kindness and that of his equally dedicated wife, Dorothy, have been much appreciated. His sermons are strictly from Bible scripture and enlightening to the listener.

Today, as always, we are truly a community Christian church regardless of previous affiliations whether they be Catholic or of various Protestant derivations. New traditions are being born with the present generation. A sunrise service is held on Easter Sunday. Baptisms, although sometimes performed in borrowed facilities of other churches, are generally held in the North Poudre River. A "potfaith" dinner enhances fellowship once a month. Old-Fashioned Sunday with services under a tent is a celebration on the second Sunday in June.

Never in the existence of Livermore has our God abandoned us. Always a spiritual adviser, he has provided a place for the joy of worshiping and serving him in fellowship.