First Unitarian`s application - First Unitarian Society of Denver

Transcription

FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver
ApplicationforLandmarkDesignation
totheDenverLandmarkCommission
PreparedbyMembersoftheCongregation
June2016
2
1.
NameofProperty
HistoricName:
PlymouthCongregationalChurch
CurrentName:
2.
Location
Address:
1400LafayetteSt.Denver,CO80218
LegalDescription: L10&S13.41FTOFL9BLK3GLENCOESADD&L15TO20INCBLK
7HORRSADD
3. OwnerInformation
Name: FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver
Address: 1400LafayetteSt.,Denver,CO80218
Phone:
(303)831-7113
Email:
[email protected]
4.
Applicant/ContactPerson(Ifotherthanowner)
Name:
KarenDerrick-Davis(churchrepresentative)
Address:
c/oFirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver
1400LafayetteSt.
Denver,CO80218
Phone:
(303)929-0606
Email:
[email protected]
5.
GeneralData:
Dateofconstructionandmajoradditions/alterations:
Originalconstruction:
• Southernhalfofbuilding:1893.
• SourceofInformation:
o Newsarticlereportingthededication1:TheDailyNews,Sunday,April9,
1893,p.10c.4
o 20thAnniversarySermon,Rev.FrankT.Bayley,PlymouthCongregational
Church,19112
o Denver’sEarlyArchitecture,JamesBretz(Arcadia2010)3
Additions:
• Sanctuary(northhalfofbuilding):1899.
• SourceofInformation:
o Newsarticleaboutthededicationofaddition:DenverDailyTimes,May14,
1899,p.6c.14
1(Newsarticlereportingthededication,1893)
2(BayleyF.T.,1911,20thAnniversarySermon)
3(Bretz,2010,ImagesofDenver’sEarlyArchitecture)
4(Newsarticleaboutthededicationoftheaddition,1899)
3
o DenverRepublic,Monday,May15,1899,p.9c.6-7
Number,type,anddateofconstructionofoutbuildings:
NOOUTBUILDINGSEXIST
SourceofInformation:
N/A
Approximatelotsizeandacreage:
20,400squarefeet
• DenverCityAssessment:
https://www.denvergov.org/property/realproperty/assessment/161075947
Architect: ErnestVarianandFrederickSterner
• “PlymouthChurchisReadyNow”,DenverSundayTimes,May14,1899.
• Denver’sEarlyArchitecture,JamesBretz(Arcadia2010)
• GeologyTourofDenver’sCapitolHillStoneBuildings,JackA.Murphy,Historic
Denver,Inc.,1997.p.78-79
Builder:
Unknown
N/A
OriginalUse:
Church
• Newsarticlereportingonthededication:TheDailyNews,Sunday,April9,1893,
p.10c.4
PresentUse:
Church
• Currentowner/FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver
Previousfielddocumentation(dateandsurveyor):
• 1959,JamesLBell&Co.
• 1987,Montgomery&Phillips,Inc.,7550W.Yale,Suite110,Denver,CO80227,(303)
989-3383
NationalRegisterStatusanddate(listed,eligible,studylist)
NOTCURRENTLYLISTED
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6. StatementofSignificance
Explainhowthestructuremeetsatleastonecriterioninatleasttwoofthecategories.
Category1:History.
a.
Hasadirectassociationwiththehistoricaldevelopmentofthecity,state,or
nation;
Over123years,thechurchat1400LafayetteStreethasbeenthehometotwo
congregations,PlymouthCongregationalChurch(latermergedwiththeFirst
CongregationalChurch)andFirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver(FirstUnitarian).
ThePlymouthCongregationalChurchconstructedthebuildingintwostages—in1893and
1899.ConstructionbeganduringtheyearofthehistoricSilverCrashof1893,withthe
economicconditionsofthatyearnecessitatingthedelayoffinalconstruction(thenorthern
partofthebuilding,whichincludesthemainsanctuary)until1899.TheCongregationalists
occupiedthebuildinguntil1958whentheysoldthebuildingtoFirstUnitarian.
FirstUnitarianhasalonghistoryofnotablemembersandsocialjusticeworkthathasbeen
importanttothedevelopmentofthecity,withtheirworkoftenhavingbroader
implications.Initsearlydays,thecongregationwasinvolvedintheWomen’sSuffrage
MovementandhadstrongtieswithearlycharitableorganizationsincludingthePioneer
LadiesAidSociety,theLadiesReliefSociety,andtheAssociatedCharities,amongothers.
Sinceoccupyingthebuildingat1400Lafayettein1958,thecongregationhasbeenactive
andinfluentialinavarietyofissues,includingracialjustice,gay/lesbianrights,marriage
equality,women’srights,andimmigrationjustice.
FirstUnitarianhasahistoricalroleofservingasanincubatorfornonprofitorganizations
dedicatedtosocialjusticeissues.Inthe1970s,itcreateda“SharedCenter”initsbasement
andintheadjacenttwohomestothenorth.Numerousorganizations,suchasthe
MetropolitanChurchoftheRockies(agayandlesbiancongregation)andtheGayCoalition
amongmanyothers,hadtheirearlyorganizationaldevelopmentinthatspace.
Outsideofrentingspacetootherorganizations,FirstUnitarianhasmaintainedanopen
pulpitandapolicyoffreeexpressionsinceitsinception.AsnotedinintheMarch20,2016
sermonbyRev.MikeMorran,5“wehadawell-deservedreputationthroughthistimeasthe
placewheregroupsandindividualsthatcouldfindnopublicvenuefortheirmeetings,
lecturesorpublicpresentationswerewelcomed.Righthereinthisverybuilding.”
Examplesofcontroversialspeakersincludedapro-Castrospeaker,ananti-VietNamWar
group,anda“PlayFairforCuba”discussionwithHarryNier.
5(Morran,2016,SustainingFaithSermon)
c.
Hasadirectandsubstantialassociationwithapersonorgroupofpersonswho
hadinfluenceonsociety.
FirstUnitarian(whilelocatedat1400LafayetteStreet)hasbeendirectlyandsubstantially
associatedwithanumberofpeoplewhohavehadaninfluenceonsociety.FormerColorado
GovernorRichardD.LammandFirstLadyDottieLammweremembersofFirstUnitarian
duringthe1960’sandweremarriedinthechurchin1963.
Anumberofchurchmembershavebeeninvolvedinactsofcivildisobedienceinrecent
years.FirstUnitarianMinisterRichardHenrywasarrestedinaprotestrelatedtotheViet
NamWar.Morerecently,LewisThompson,LaurinFoxworthandKateBurnswere
arrestedfortheirstancesinsupportofmarriageequalityforgaysandlesbians.Church
memberHelenWolcott,amongothers,wasinstrumentalinthelocalCivilRightsMovement
inthe1960s.ShewasafoundingmemberofthelocalCongressofRacialEquality,
organizedpicketinginprotestofunfairhiringpractices,andworkedforequalityin
educationandrealestatepractices.
Category2:Architecture.
Tohavearchitecturalimportance,thestructureordistrictshallhavedesignquality
andintegrity,andshall:
a.
Embodydistinguishingcharacteristicsofanarchitecturalstyleortype;or
FirstUnitarianchurch,constructedinthe1890s,is
oneofanumberofoutstandingexamplesof
buildingsthatincorporatevernacularRhyolite
stonecraftedintheRomanesqueRevivalstylethat
wasdevelopedbyHenryHopsonRichardsonand
isknownasRichardsonianRomanesque.
Richardson’sinfluenceindevelopingabuilding
withastrongpresencethroughtheconfiguration
ofmedievalproportion,massing,andmasonryis
evidentthroughouttheexteriorarchitectural
stone,roof,andwindowvocabulary.
RoseWindowviewedfrom14thAvenue
Thebuildingcontainsthreeimportantelementsof
architectural,craft,andmaterialsmerit.TheseelementsareVarianandSterner’s
architecturaltalents,theWatkinsGlassStudio’shistoriccraftsmanship,andlocally-sourced
RhyolitestonefromCastleRock,Colorado.
TheStonework
Richardson’suseoffull-bodied,rough,exposedsurfacestone,cutwithsquareedgeAshlar
masonry,isprominentthroughoutthebuilding.Thebuildingalsoexpressesswelling
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shapesemphasizingcornerconditions,creatingshadowlines,andstressinguniqueand
unusualsculptedshapestoemphasizedoors,windowsandprominentelementsofthe
façade.ComparethemasonryofthebuildingasdepictedinthephotosbelowofFirst
UnitarianandTrinityChurchinBoston.
TrinityChurch,BostonMA
Thestonematerialitselfisawonderfulvernacularcomponentofthechurch’shistory,as
theRhyolitestoneutilizedonthefaçadewasquarriedinCastleRock,Colorado.Itwasa
verypopularbuildingmaterialduringthelate1800’sandearly1900’s.CastleRock
RhyoliteisavolcanicrockthateruptedfromtheMt.Princetonareaabout36.7million
yearsago.ItsgeologicalnameisWallMountainTuffandits“isaverydurable,high-silica
materialwhichbreakswithsharp,conchoidal,or
curved,fracture.Itiscommonlyusedwitha
rough-hewnsurfacethatcausesaconstantplay
ofshadowsacrossthewallsofbuildings6.”This
pinkishstonebegantobequarriedbySwedish
immigrantsinthelate19thcenturyandwas
utilizedinnumerousstructuresthroughoutthe
historicareasofDenver,includinganumberof
RichardsonianRomanesquebuildingsinthe
DowntownDenverareawhichutilizeRhyolite
stonework.ExamplesincludetheParamount
Theater,UnionStation,andSt.Elizabethof
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver:CastleRock
HungaryCatholicChurch.
TheRoof
Ahippedroofwithcrossinggableswasoftenusedasamajorbuildingexpression,
articulatedwithswellingshapesorcolumnsandapunchedrecessedwindowfornatural
lightintotheupperfloorofthefacility.Thesedetailsareapparentintheimagesbelowof
FirstUnitarianandtheAmesBuildinginBoston,Massachusetts.
6(Murphy,1997,GeologyYourofDenver’sCapitolHillStoneBuildings)
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R
h
y
o
l
i
t
e
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver AmesBuilding,BostonMA
TheWindows
WideroundedarchesareakeycomponenttotheRichardsonianRomanesquestyle.
Windowsaretypicallyexpressedinatruesemi-circularformandoftenthreeormore
archedwindowsaregroupedtogether,indicatedbelowinpicturesofFirstUnitarian
churchaswellasRichardson’sCityHallinAlbany,NewYork.
8
CityHall,AlbanyNY
FirstUnitarianchurchisawonderfulexampleofthestunningRichardsonianRomanesque
architecturalfabricinDenver,Colorado,whichalsoincludestheDenverAthleticClub,the
MasonicTempleBuildingandCastleMarne.
ThebuildingcontainsotherstylisticallydistinguishingfeaturesofRichardsonian
Romanesque.Itisconstructedofrough-hewnstoneworkinmassivewalls,eclectic
sculpturalposts,recessedentryways,andadramaticrosewindow.AsnotedinaHistoric
DenverguidebyRobertMurphy7,itis“oneofthe
bestexamplesoftheRichardsonianRomanesque
styleinDenver.Notethealternatingcoursesof
stoneblocksandtheimpressivehand-hewn
stoneentrance.”
Whenbothsectionswerecompletedin1899,the
PlymouthChurchwasdescribedinaDenver
DailyTimesarticleasoneof“oneofDenver’s
prettiest”and“moststrikinglybeautiful
churchesinDenver”withan“airofsimple
grandeurthatcanhardlybereproducedinan
illustrationbutwhichreadilyimpressesthe
beholder.”8
7(Murphy,1997)
8(Denver
Daily Times, May 14, 1899, p.6 c.1)
9
b.
Beasignificantexampleoftheworkofarecognizedarchitectormasterbuilder,
or,
ThisCapitolHill/CheesmanParklandmarkisa
significantexampleoftheworkoffamouslocal
architectsErnestVarianandFrederickSterner.Ernest
VariandesignedtheZionBaptistChurchbeginningin
1882,andthenin1885formedapartnershipwith
FrederickJ.Sterner.AsnotedinaHistoryColorado
document,9“thefirmofVarianandSternerwentonto
becomeoneofDenver’smostprominentarchitectural
designerswithmanylistingsintheDenverBuilding
Feesfiles.”Notablebuildingsdesignedbythefirm
includetheDenverAthleticClubat1325Glenarm,
whichcontainsRomanesquearches,theFirstChurchof
ChristScientistat14thandLoganStreets,andavariety
ofhomesthroughouttheDenverarea.Landmark
worksdesignedbyFrederickSternerincludethe
DanielsandFisherTower,thePearce-McCallCottage,
andtheTears-McFarlandHouse.10
Thechurchalsocontainsauniqueandhistoricexample
oftheworkofWatkinsStainedGlassStudio.The
strikingrosewindowonthesouthfaçadewasdesigned
andfabricatedbyClarenceWatkinsin1893andcarefullyrestoredbyhisgreat-grandson
PhillipWatkins,Jr.afteramajorfiredamageditin1985.
TheWatkinsfamilyinvolvementinstainedglass11beganin1761inLondonandLiverpool.
Clarence(akaCharles)WatkinstravelledtoAmericaviaship“withhistoolboxinhishand
andskillshehadlearnedfromhisforefathers.”Afterworkinginstainedglassstudiosin
NewYork,BostonandSt.Louis,arrivedinDenverandhiscompanywasfirstlistedasa
businessintheDenverDirectoryin1881.Thecompanynowcountseightgenerationsthat
havebeeninvolvedinthestainedwindowcraftsmanship,andallworkisstilldonebyhand
withlittlechangeintoolsexceptfortheuseofelectricity.TheworkoftheWatkinsfamily
isfeaturedinmanyDenverhomes,churches,andintheiconicBrownPalaceHotel.
Category3:Geography
a. Haveaprominentlocationorbeanestablished,familiar,andorientingvisual
featureofthecontemporarycity,or,
WatkinsRoseWindowonSouthWall
9(ColoradoHistoricalSociety,2002,ColoradoArchitectsBiographicalSketch.)
10(ColoradoHistoricalSociety,2007,ArchitectsofColoradoHistoricalSketch)
11(WatkinsStainedGlassStudio,2016)
10
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenversitsatthecornerof14thAvenueandLafayetteStreet.It
liesintheheartofDenver’sCapitolHill,justoneblocksouthofColfaxAvenue.Asnotedin
theEastColfaxPlan,“theearlydevelopmentofCapitolHillandColfaxAvenueinthe1870’s
and1880’sisarosterofDenver’sfamousandinfluentialcitizens.JohnEvans,HenryC.
Brown,GeorgeChilcott,A.C.Hunt,andDanielWitterdedicatedportionsoftheir
subdivisionstocreatethe100footwideColfaxAvenuethatwouldbecomethe“finest,
grandestresidentialavenuebetweenSt.LouisandSanFrancisco.”12ColfaxAvenueisoneof
themostimportanthistoricalcorridorsinDenver,havingdevelopedbythelate1800sas
“Denver’spremier,treelinedresidentialavenue,andhometoleadingcitizensandpioneer
families.”13Itwasastreetcarlineinthelate1800s,withitsimportance“illustratedbyits
length.”14
Thechurchliesdirectlyadjacentto14thAvenue,whichisalsoanimportantthoroughfare
inDenver.Ittravelsone-way(westtoeast).WithitsRichardsonianRomanesque
architectureandCastleRockRhyolitebricks,FirstUnitarianisahighlyrecognizable
buildingalongthe14thAvenuecorridor.The“castle-like”buildingisastrongorienting
elementalong14thAvenueandinCapitolHill.AlthoughFirstUnitarianliesinproximityto
avarietyofhistoricdistrictsandbuildings,itisuniqueinitsarchitectureforthe
surroundingarea.WhileasimilararchitectureexistsatZionBaptistChurch(933E.24th
Avenue),theredonotappeartobemanystructuresinthecloseproximitytoFirst
Unitarianthatshareitsarchitecturalhistory.Assuch,thebuildingisnotabletopassersby
on14thAvenue.Inprovidingdirectionstothechurch,membersandstafffrequentlyfind
thatwould-bevisitorsarefamiliarwiththebuildingandhavenoteditinpassingonprior
occasions.
7. ArchitecturalDescription
Pleaseprovideastatementforeachofthefollowing:
a. Conciselydescribethestructureanditssurrounds.Includebuildingsize,shape,
#stories,materials,styleandsiteterrain.
Thechurchwasoriginallybuiltforthestill-thrivingPlymouthCongregationalChurch:the
southwingandchapelin1893,andthenorthauditoriumwingin1899.Itsseven-year
developmentisemblematicofawell-knowneconomicdisasterintheU.S.andColorado:
thePanicof1893,alsoknowninColoradoastheSilverCrashof1893.Duetotherecession
causedbytheeventsof1893,thecongregantsofPlymouthCongregationalhadtoregroup
andrefinance,completingthelargeauditorium/sanctuaryonthenorthin1899.Uponits
completion,itwasoneofonlytwograndstonechurchesineastDenverbetweenOgden
StreetandMontclair.FewsignificantstonebuildingsinDenver,otherthantheColorado
StateCapitolitself,werecompletedduringthisdecade.
12(BlueprintDenver,2004,EastColfaxCorridorPlan)
11
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver’schurch
is23,988sq.ft.insizeandiscomposedof
threefloors.Itincludesafullbasement
reflectiveofthefirstfloorshape,anda
partialsecondfloor,asthe2-story
sanctuarytakesupapproximately1/2of
thesecondfloorvolume.Therectilinear
shapedfootprintofthebuildingis
coveredwithroofthatisacombinationof
hipandintersectinggablesvery
indicativeoftheRichardsonian
Romanesquestyle.Themainstructureof
thebuildingisconstructedwithRhyolite
stonebearingwallsandaninteriorfloor
EarlydepictionofPlymouthChurch
structureofcombinedwoodandsteel.
TheoriginalworshipspacewasbuiltwitharakedfloordepictinganAkronPlandesign
popularinthelate1800’s.Therakedfloorhasnowbeenchangedtoaflatfloorafterthe
devastatingfirethattookplacein1985.
Theroofstructureisalsopredominately
woodwithmajorsupportingsteel,rigid
framingmembers.Siteelementsaremade
upprimarilyofentrypavers,sidewalks,
andadjacentalleypaving.Asthebuilding
takesupapproximately85%to90%ofthe
site,sitefeaturesareveryminimalbut
currentlyincludedoublestairsandaramp,
bothofwhichwereaddedafterthe1985
fire.In2007,anelevatorwasaddedalong
thealleywaytoaccommodatehandicapped
accessibilitytoalllevelsinthebuilding.
PhillipWatkinsrestoringtheRoseWindowin1986
b. Architecturaldescriptionincludingmentionofmajorfeatures,uncommonor
uniquedesignfeatures,ancillarystructures,andimportantland-scapeorsite
features.Alsodescribeinteriorspaceswithextraordinarydesignfeatures(if
any).
FirstUnitarian’schurchisaprimeexampleofRichardsonianRomanesquearchitecturein
Denver,Colorado.ThechurchisbuiltwiththeroughsawnashlarcutRhyolitestonewhich
isnativetoColoradoandwasaverypopularbuildingmaterialinthelate1800sandearly
1900s.TheRichardsoniandetailingisreflectedthroughoutalloftheexteriorelevationsof
thebuildingutilizingtheheavymedievalstonedelementcombinedwithahippedroofwith
crossgablereflectingdeepsetwindowsdesignedwithwideroundarchesinatruesemi-
12
circularshape,ornamentalposts,andabuttress.Thesouthelevation
includesastunningrosewindowfacing14thAvenue,whichisnotonlya
commonRichardsonianelement,butwasdesignedbyalocalstained
glasswindowcompany,originallybuiltbyClarenceWatkinsandlater
repairedafterthefireinthe1980sbyhisgreat-grandsonPhillipwho
stillpracticesthistradetoday.
Theinteriorspacewasrenovatedafteramajorfirein1985.Whilethe
interiorrenovationreplacedtraditionaldesignwithcontemporary
design,theinteriorretainsandblendssomeoftheoldwiththenew,
mostnotablytherosewindowinthechapel,thestill-activeoriginal
organpipesinthesanctuary,afewremainingoriginalstainedglass
windows,thesmallchoirroombelowtheorgan,andastainedglass
Originalstainedglass
window,“GoodSamaritan,”originallyinstalledinUnityChurchat19th
window
andBroadway(FirstUnitarian’spreviouschurchbuilding)andmovedto1400LafayetteSt.
Exceptfortheseelements,theinteriordoesnothavehistoricfeatures.Ontheexteriorof
thebuilding,theoriginaldoorsdonatedbyGov.WilliamE.Sweetremain.
GoodSamaritanWindow
Originaldoorsthatremainonbuilding
c. Describecharacter-definingfeatures;identifythekeyvisualaspectsthatmake
upthecharacterofthisbuilding.
ThestrongpresenceoftheRichardsonianRomanesquestonedetailanchorsthisbuilding
onthecornerof14thandLafayette,catchingyoureyewiththedeepsetwindows,
combinedwithhippedroofandcrossgablecomplementingthestrengthoftherough-cut
Rhyolitestoneexteriorwalls.Themagnificentrosewindowonthesouthelevationattracts
13
passersbyastheintimate,delicatestainedglasscontraststheheavymedievalstonedetail
onthatelevation,andintheeveningglowsfromthecutstainedglassdesignedand
installedbyWatkinsStainedGlass,whichstilloperatesinEnglewood,Colorado.
Theoverallcharacterofthestructureisoneofruggedsolidity,withitsrusticatedstoneand
twocomplementarywest-facingsectionsconveyinganimpressionofbothstonechurch
andsmallcastle.It’scornerlocationonamajorstreet(14thAvenue),yethavingan
entrywayonthequietersidestreet(Lafayette),enhancesitsstatusasalandmarkinthe
CapitolHillandCheesmanParkneighborhoods.
d. Describelocationandsettingincludingphysicalcontextandrelationshipto
neighborhoodandotherhistoricstructures.
LocationandNeighborhood
FirstUnitarianislocatedontheeastedgeofCapitolHillandthenorthwestcornerof
CheesmanParkneighborhoods.Thesurroundingarchitectureisdiverse–manyduplexes
andVictorianresidencesalongLafayetteStreet,shopsandrestaurantsonColfax,and
Denversquares,brickapartmentbuildings,andhigh-risecondoswithin2-3blocks.The
neighborhoodishighdensityresidential.Itisoneoftheearlyresidentialdevelopmentsof
thecitydatingbacktothemid1800’sandcontainsmanysignificantarchitecturalexamples
ofthe19thCentury.
ProximitytoHistoricStructuresandDistricts
FirstUnitarianlieswithinoneblockoffourhistoricstructures,noneofwhicharechurches.
Theseinclude:
• TheHamiltonApartmentBuildingat1475Humboldt
• TheColonnadeat1210E.ColfaxAve.
• WolcottSchoolat1401MarionSt.
• TheDoyle-BentonHouseat1301N.LafayetteSt.
Avarietyofotherhistoricstructuresarewithinonemile,butonlyonechurch.Theyinclude
MoreyMiddleSchool,St.John’sEpiscopalChurchandtheOgdenTheatre,amongothers.
Nearbyhistoricdistrictsinclude:theWymanHistoricDistrict,whichbegins2blockseast
oftheChurch;theParkAvenueHistoricDistrict,justafewblockstothenorth;theSwallow
HillHistoricDistrict,whichliesseveralblockstothenorthwest;andtheHumboldtStreet
HistoricDistricttwoblockstothesouth.
RegisteredNeighborhoodOrganizations
Avarietyofneighborhoodassociationsareactiveintheareainwhichthebuildingis
located.Theseinclude:CapitolHillUnitedNeighborhoods;ColfaxontheHill;theColfax
BusinessImprovementDistrict;theWymanDistrictNeighborhoodAssociation;andthe
UptownontheHillAssociation.Theseassociationsexistinparttopreservetheintegrityof
14
theCapitolHillandEastColfaxareas.
e. Describemajoralterationstotheexteriorofthestructureanddatesofmajor
alterations,ifknown.Describeanyplanstoaltertheexterior.
1. Thefirstchangetothebuildingcamein1899whenthesanctuary(northsection)
wasbuiltutilizingtheconceptofanAkronPlan.AnAkronPlannedchurchisa
squareworshipspacewitharakedfloor
atthemainaislethatproceedsdownone
diagonaltowardsthepulpit.Thethree
majorgableendsofthebuildingthen
reflectthemassivetripleroundtop
windowsoneachgableintothreeofthe
foursidesoftheworshipspace,withthe
fourthsideopeningupintotheformer
worshipspacewhichwasatthattime
convertedintoclassroomsandnowisa
communityroom.Thisisexpressedon
theexteriorofthebuildingnotonly
throughthethreelargegableendsbut
alsobytheenlargedbuildingfootprinton OriginalSanctuary(Northend)withOrganPipes
boththewestandeastelevations.
2. Inaboutthe1920s(exactdateunknown),theporchonthewestsideofthebuilding
wasenclosed,asillustratedinthephotosbelow.
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver:Priortoenclosureofporch
15
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver:Afterenclosureofporch
3. Asideentrydoorandstairlocatedinthesouthwestcornerofthebuildingwas
modifiedatsometime,reflectedinoneofthehalfroundcircletopwindow
fenestrationsbeingreplacedwithstone.In1986,anewentrancewasdeveloped
intothebasement,directlybelowthisformersideentryarea,whichstillexistsasa
basementexittoday.
4. Themajormodificationtotheinteriorcamein1986afteramajorfiredestroyed
muchoftheinterior.Atthattimethehistoricfrontentrancewasmodifiedwitha
largecurvedwallandstairsprojectinginanorth/southdirection,incontrasttothe
originalstairs,thatprojectedstraightwestfromthefrontentrance.Inaddition,a
handicappedrampwasaddedtothebuildingalongthewestelevation,directly
belowoneofthegabledendsoftheworshipspace,blockingaseriesofgardenlevel
windowslocateddirectlyunderthethreecircletopsonthenorthendofthewest
elevation.Also,atthistimewhenthisworkwasdone,originalstairsthatwent
downtothelowerlevelatthesouthwestcornerofthe1899worshipspaceaddition
wereenclosedwithmasonryandarenowblockedbytheentrystairmodifications
andhandicappedrail.TheoriginalAkronPlanfloorplan,therakedfloorandthe
barrelvaultinsidetheworshipspaceweremodifiedastheseatingareawasreduced
insize.Theadditionalspacealongthesouthandwestsidesoftheoriginal1899
sanctuarywasrepurposedtoincludenewhandicappedtoilets,akitchen,andspace
foradministrativeofficesonthefirstflooralongthewestside.
16
Originalentrance
Entranceafter1986renovations
5. Thestainedglassintherosewindowwascompletelyblownoutduringthefireof
December1985.Aspartoftherenovationof1986,WatkinsGlassStudio(thesame
companythatinstalledtheoriginal)restoredtheglasstoreplicatetheoriginal.
6. In1998,arenovationtookplaceinthechurchbasementtoconvertpreviously
unusedspaceintousableclassroomspace.
7. Thefinalmajormodificationtothebuildingcamein2007,whenanelevatorwas
addedtothebuildinglocatedonthesouthendoftheeastelevationtoaccommodate
handicappedaccessibilityfortheentirebuilding.
Elevatoraddition,2007.
Describeanyplanstoaltertheexterior:
FirstUnitarianhasacapitalcampaignunderway,andifsuccessful,exteriorrepairsand
renovationswillincluderestoringorreplacingtheheavilydeterioratedhandicappedramp,
17
repointingandotherstoneworkrestoration,andredesigningtheentrywaytoanewopen
stairwayreminiscentoftheoriginalentryof1899withasmallgrassplazaarea.AMaster
PlanhasbeendevelopedforthechurchbyEidosArchitects;however,finalschematicsand
designdevelopmenthavenotyettakenplace.
f. Includeastatementdescribinghowthebuildingcurrentlyconveysitshistoric
integrity.Forexampledoesitretainitsoriginaldesign,materials,location,
workmanship,setting,historicassociationsandfeeling?
Overall,theintegrityofthebuildingisstrong.Itisinthesamelocationandretainsthe
settingofachurchinadenseurbanresidentialneighborhood.Althoughoneofthe
entrances,onthewestelevation,wasalteredtoincludeacurvedwall,twosetsofsteps,and
ahandicappedramp,theoveralldesign,materials,andworkmanshiparereadilyapparent.
Arearelevatorwasaddedin2007;however,itisnothighlyvisibleandwasconstructedof
abrickthatiscompatibleincolorwiththehistoricbuilding.Thecontinueduseasa
worshipspaceandsimilarsettingtotheperiodofsignificancehelpsretainastrongsense
offeelingandassociation.
8. HistoryoftheStructureandItsAssociations
Pleaseprovideastatementforeachofthefollowing:
a. Describethehistoryofthestructureanditsassociationswithimportant
individuals,groups,events,orhistoricaltrends.
PlymouthCongregationalChurch
PlymouthCongregationalChurchbuiltthebuildingat1400LafayetteStreetbetween1893
and1899.Therelativelylong,7-yearperiodofconstructionisattributabletotheSilver
Crashof1893,whenPresidentGroverClevelandoversawtherepealoftheShermanSilver
PurchaseAct,causingreductionsinthepriceofsilver(from.83
centsto.62centsperounceinone4-dayperiod).ThePanicof
1893severelyimpactedColorado,astheeconomywasheavily
reliantonmineralextractionandthesilverindustry.Duringthis
time,numerousbanksinDenvercollapsedandrealestatevalues
dropped.15OriginalarchitectsBalcom&Rice16werecontracted
Sept.1,189217,withsubsequentdesignandcompletionofthe
buildingbyVarian&Sternerin1899.
PlymouthCongregationalChurch18wasoriginallyknownasPark
AvenueCongregationalChurch.Thecongregationformedin1884
Rev.FrankT.Bayley,First
MinisteratPlymouth
Church
15(Denver,
2015, The Mile High City from Historic Landmarks & Historic Districts webpage)
16(PlymouthNotes,1893)
17(Zeller,2016,personalinterview)
18(FirstPlymouthCongregationalChurch,OurHistory,2016)
18
andbuiltitsfirstchurchatthecornerof17thAvenueandOgdenSt.In1891,the
congregationhiredtheRev.FrankT.Bayleyandsoonthereafterrenameditselfas
PlymouthCongregationalChurchinhonorofRev.Bayley,whohadpreviouslypreachedata
“Plymouth”church.Rev.BayleyservedaspastorofthePlymouthChurchfor27yearsuntil
hisdeathin1917,wasoneofthebestknownclergymeninColoradoandwasconsidered
the“savior”ofthePlymouthChurch,forwhenhemovedfromMainein1891thesituation
wasdesperateforthesmall,strugglingcongregation.Withintwoyearsofhisarrival,
PlymouthCongregationalChurchgrewandwasabletobuildthe“chapel”at14thAvenue
andLafayetteStreetandseveralyearslater,the“auditorium”wing.
PlymouthwasnotthefirstCongregationalChurchinColorado.In1863,WilliamCrawford
arrivedinDenvertoestablishaCongregationalchurch,subsequentlyestablishingFirst
CongregationalChurchonOctober9,1864with12chartermembers.Rev.Norman
McLeodwasthefirstpastorofthiscongregation,whichbuiltitsfirstbuildingin1869atthe
cornerof15thandCurtisStreetsanditssecondbuildingin1881inthe1600blockof
GlenarmPlace.
In1929,boththePlymouthandFirstCongregationalwerestrugglingformembersandthe
twochurchesmergedtobecomeFirstPlymouthCongregationalChurchinthebuildingat
1400LafayetteStreet.PlymouthCongregationalChurchremainedinthebuildinguntil
November1958,atwhichpointitmovedtoanewfacilityatthecornerofHampdenAvenue
andSouthColoradoBlvd.
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenverpurchasedthe1400Lafayettepropertyin1958andhas
occupiedthebuildingeversince.WhilethePlymouthCongregationalChurchwebsitenotes
concernsaboutparkingavailabilityasareasonforleavingcentralDenver,FirstUnitarian
hasmaintainedacommitmentthroughouttheyearstoremainan“urbansanctuary”inthe
heartofDenver.
FirstUnitarianistheoldestUnitariancongregationinColorado;itbeganin1871when
HarvardDivinitySchoolgraduateRev.L.E.Beckwithpreachedtoasmallgroupof
UnitariansinaDenverDistrictCourtRoom.Theincorporationofthechurchwas13years
aftertheCityOfDenverwasfoundedandfiveyearsbeforeColoradostatehood.
Inthefallof1871,thecongregationbegantomeetina
schoolroomattheMethodistSeminary(nowthe
UniversityofDenver)butaftertwoSundaystheywere
askedtoleave,givenobjectionstotheirtheology.This
beganaseriesoflocations,includingPastorBeckwith’s
parlornear17thandCalifornia,inthe3rdstoryhallof
Crow’sBlockonHalladaySt.(nowMarket),theBaptist
“dug-out”onthecornerofCurtisandG(now16th)
TheBaptistDugout
Streets,andthelawofficesofBeldenandPowers(both
19
ofwhomweremembersofthechurch).Duringitsfirst2.5years,thecongregationused
sevendifferentvenues-largelybecauseitsviewswereperceivedtobetoocontroversial
formanyofitshosts.
Thecontroversialviewsofthechurchrelatedinlargeparttothesocialactionwork
undertakenbyitsmembers.By1893(whenthe1400Lafayettebuildingwasbeing
constructed),theUnitarianshadalreadymadethenewsonmultipleoccasionsforsuch
boldmovesasutilizingfemaleushers,teachingvocationalskillstogirls,andeducatingboys
whoworkedduringtheday.In1896to1910,thecongregationadvocatedforprisonreform
againsttheimprisonmentofchildren.
OnFebruary23,1873,thecongregationtookofficialactiontolookforapropertyandbuild
forasumnottoexceed$10,000.TheSubscriptionCommitteecouldnotraisethatmuch
moneyandsettledfor$5,000instead.Fourlotsat17thandCaliforniawerepurchasedfor
$2,500andalovelychurchseating225peoplewasdedicatedonDecember28,
1873.However,successwasshort-livedandinthe1878-79churchyeartheirexpenses
exceededincomeby$1,000.Thetrusteesthenvotedtoturnthe“social,religious,and
especiallyfinancialmatterintothehandsoftheladiesofthechurch,whosezeal,fidelity,
faith,courageandexecutiveabilityhadlongsincebeenfullyproved.”Theythenadvised
the“ladies”toselltheproperty,paythedebtsand“considertheefforttoestablishaLiberal
ChurchinDenverafailure.”
TheLadiesAidSociety,ledbyAugustaTabor,thenspearheadedavarietyoffundraisersfor
thechurch,includingan1893excursionviatraintoColoradoSprings,Manitou,Gardenof
theGodsandGlenEyrefor$5perticket.TaboralsohostedaStrawberrySocialather
boardinghouseandthengavemuchofherfortunetotheUnitarianChurch.“Followingthe
divorce,AugustaTaborusedherfortunetobenefitmanyDenverinstitutions,includingthe
UnitarianChurchandthePioneerLadies’AidSociety.”19Tabor’sdonationhelpedthe
congregationtopurchasetheUnityChurchatthecornerof19thandBroadwayin1886for
$42,358.Thisnewbuildingseated1,000peopleandwashometothecongregationuntilit
purchasedthebuildingat1400Lafayettein1958.Atthistimethechurchwasalternately
calledFirstUnitarianand“TheUnityChurch.”
1985–TheFire
OnDecember8,1985,inthemidstofacapitalcampaigntorenovatethechurch,afire
extensivelydamagedmuchoftheroofstructureandtheinteriorofthebuilding.The
congregationsubsequentlydecidedtocontinuewithitsrenovationplansandstayinthe
currentbuilding.Fortwoyears,whilerepairswereunderway,thecongregationrented
spaceattheformerhomeofB.M.H.Synagogue,TempleCenter,at16thandGaylord.On
May10,1987,thefirstservicewasheldintherenovatedchurchandtheformaldedication
servicewasheldonMay24,1987.ThechoirpresentedaDedicationCantatacomposedby
ElizabethSellers,themusicdirector.
19(TheDenverPost-PerspectiveSection,1992)
20
b. Describespecifichistoricalassociationsincludingwhythisstructurehasdirect
associationwiththeindividual,group,event,orhistoricaltrend.
Fromitsbeginnings,FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenverwasinvolvedinavarietyofsocial
justiceissuesanditshistoryisintrinsicallylinkedwithkeysocialaidorganizations.A
summaryofsomeoftheseassociationsfollows:
ThePioneerLadies’AidSociety
ThePioneerLadies’AidSocietyisthefirstknowncharitable
institutioninColorado.ElizabethByers(wifeofRocky
MountainNewsfoundededitorWilliamNewtonByers)anda
groupofwomenconcernedaboutthe“manyleftpennilessand
homelessinthemadscramblefortherichesoftheearth”20
foundedtheorganizationin1860.
ThePioneerLadies’AidSocietywasintricatelylinkedwith
FirstUnitarianandisresponsibleforsavingtheCongregation
inthelate1870swhenfinancialtroublesmotivatedmale
membersofthechurchtodisbandthesociety.Atthatpoint,
theladiesorganizedfundraisers,tookinsewing,andrented
thebuildingtoothergroupstoraisefundsforthesolvencyof
thechurch.FirstUnitarianarchivesindicateahistoric
BaldwinStovethatwastransportedtoandfromfundraisersto
providewarmthforsuchgatherings.
AugustaTabor
OneofthefoundersofthePioneerLadies’AidSocietywas
UnitarianCongregationmemberAugustaTabor,theiconicwifeofHoraceTaborand
notablebusinesswomaninearly
Denverhistory.Taborranaboardinghouseandspearheadedavarietyoffundraisersfor
thechurch,includingaStrawberrySocialonherpropertyandaseriesofexcursionsvia
traintoColoradoSprings,ManitouSprings,GardenoftheGodsandGlenEyre,andlaterto
theRoyalGorge(allofwhicharereportedtohavecost$5pertraveler).Followingher
divorce,Tabor“usedherfortunatetobenefitmanyDenverinstitutions,includingthe
UnitarianChurchandthePioneerLadies’AidSociety.”21Herdonationiscreditedfor
helpingthegroup“buildanewUnitarianchurchinDenver.”22
HelenA.Dailey(neeWoodbury),wasalongtimememberofthechurchandservedas
PresidentoftheLadiesAidSociety.AsnotedinanobituarypublishedinTheTrail:A
MagazineforColorado,“ShewashonoredwiththepresidencyoftheSouthSideLadiesAid
20(TheDenverPost-PerspectiveSection,1992)
21(HistoryColorado,AugustaTabor)
21
Society.HerlosswillbekeenlyfeltintheUnitarianChurchwhereshewasbelovedforher
devotiontotheworkofthatchurch.23”
TheLadiesReliefSociety
TheLadiesReliefSocietywasanonsectarianorganizationfoundedin1874.Emily
ParmaleeBelden,aprominentmemberofFirstUnitarian,wasoneoftheincorporatorsof
thissociety.PeraDenverTimesarticle,“FewwomenhavetakenalargerpartinDenver’s
literaryandcharitableactivities.ShewasoneofthefoundersoftheOldLadiesReliefHome
andlongamemberoftheFortnightlyClub.”24
TheAssociatedCharities
TheAssociatedCharities,alsoknownatthetimeastheCharityOutreachSociety,was
foundedin1887bya“Denverwoman,apriest,twoministers,andarabbi”asthe“first
associationsetuptomeetcommunityneedsbyfundingmanycharitieswhilesignificantly
reducingthenumberofappeals.25Theorganizationservedasanagenttocollectfundsfor
localcharities,coordinatedreliefservices,counseledandreferredclientstocooperating
agencies,andmadeemergencyassistancegrants.Duringitsfirstyear,Denverraised
$21,700andcreatedamovementthatwouldspreadthroughoutthecountrytobecomethe
UnitedWay.Morethan125yearslater,UnitedWayremainsoneofthemostpowerfulways
forindividualsandcorporationstomakeanimpactonlocalhealth,education,andsocial
serviceneeds.Todaytheorganizationlists2.9millionvolunteersand10.3milliondonors.26
WhilenoneoftheAssociatedCharities’foundersweremembersofFirstUnitarian,onewas,
interestingly,theministerofFirstPlymouthpriortoitsoccupationofthebuildingat1400
Lafayette.TheRev.MyronReed,associatedwithPlymouth,wasthefirstpresidentofthe
AssociatedCharities.
FirstUnitarianwas,however,intrinsicallyinvolvedintheearlyyearsofthisorganization.
Asnotedinthereportoftheassociation’ssecondannualmeetingonNovember24,188927,
Rev.SamuelEliot,ministerofFirstUnitarianfrom1889-1892,servedasVicePresidentof
theorganization.BenevolentsocietiesnotedtobecooperatingwiththeAssociated
CharitiesduringthatyearincludedtheLadiesReliefSocietyandtheUnityChurchSociety,
alsoknownasFirstUnitariangivenitslocationintheUnityChurchat19thandBroadway.
Woman’sClubofDenver
AsnotedinaHistoricDenverGuide28,educatedupper-middle-classwomenfoundedthe
Women’sClubofDenver(WCD)in1894withearlymeetingtakingplaceattheUnity
23(Bishop,1908,TheTrail:AMagazineforColorado)
24(TheDenverTimes,1902)
25(MileHIghUnitedWaywebsite)
26(UnitedWay:OurWork,website)
27(ReportoftheAnnualMeetingoftheAssociatedCharitiesofDenver,volume2,1890)
28(Goldstein,DenverWomeninTheirPlaces,2002)
22
Churchat19thandBroadwayuntilthegrouperectedathree-storybrickclubhouseat
1347GlenarmPlacein1902.ClubfounderswereSarahPlattDecker,Dr.MaryBarker
Bates,andEllaStrongDenison.Thisgroupwasconsideredtobethe“backboneofthe
DenverandStateFederationofWomen’sClubs.”29
Membersgatheredtohearnationallyknownlectures,learnpublicspeakingand
organizationalandbusinessskills.Overtheyears,thisgroup“sponsoredtravelinglibraries,
freeclinicsanddispensaries,daynurseries,homelessshelters,andadulteducationclasses,
aswellassuccessfullylobbyingforaneight-hourworkdaylawforwomen,purefoodlaws,
astateemploymentbureau,MesaVerdeandRockyMountainNationalParks,electoral
reform,theStateHomeforDependentChildren,mothers’pension(welfarebenefits)and
JudgeBenLindsey’sinnovativeJuvenileCourt.”Thegroupisnotedtohaverentedspaceat
UnityChurchpendingtheconstructionofitsownspace;30reportedlypaying$100per
monthin1898.31
Women’sSuffrageAssociationofColorado
OnJanuary10,1876,aconventionwasheldintheUnityChurchtopromoteWomen’s
Suffrage.Suffragistsbuiltthenon-partisanEqualSuffrageAssociationwiththeinvolvement
ofwomen’sorganizations,churches,politicalgroupsandfarmer’salliances.Thegroup’s
rallyingcrywas“LettheWomenVote!Theycan’tdoanyworsethanthemenhave!”The
women’ssuffragereferendumpassedbyanoverwhelmingmajorityonNovember7,
189332.AmemberofFirstUnitarian,J.WarnerMills,wrotetheenablingact.33
Aplaqueattoday’sWellsFargoPlazainDenver,formersiteoftheUnityChurch,honorsthe
Women’sSuffrageAssociationofColorado34.Itnotes,“theWomen’sSuffrageAssociation
ofColoradowasfoundedonthissiteinameetingoftheUnityChurchonJanuary11,1876.
In1893,Coloradobecamethesecondstateintheuniontograntwomentherighttovote.”
Women'sSuffragePlaquehonoringtheUnityChurch
29Goldstein,DenverWomeninTheirPlaces,2002)
30(Thayer,1898,MemorialLibrary)
31(WorkdonebythephilantrhopicdepartmentoftheWoman'sClub,1898)
32(WomenoftheWestMuseum,Coloardo:Populism,PanicandPersistence)
33(Stone,HistoryofColoradoVolume3)
34(Goldstein,DenverWomenintheirPlaces:AGuidetoWomen'sHistorySites,2002)
23
Thechurchtookotherstandsforwomen’srights.In1893,theDenverNewsreportedthat:
“Rev.HaskellhasmadeadepartureinChurchcustominDenverandsixcharmingand
blushingyoungladiesnowescortthecongregationtotheseats.Itwasvotedasuccesseven
bythebashfulyoungmanfromtheNewswhowasgivenafrontrowseat.”35
Education
FirstUnitarianplayedanimportantroleinthedevelopmentofanumberofeducational
institutionsintheCity.DuringitstimeintheUnityChurch,thecongregationhosteda
sewingroomwhereladiesofthechurchtaughtgirlstosew,andeveningclassesforboys
whohadtoworkduringthedayandcouldnototherwiseattendschool.
SupportingGayRights
TheFirstUnitariancongregationfirstbecameinvolvedinadvocatingagainsthomophobia
inthe1950swhenitbecameinvolvedwiththeMattachineSociety.Foundedin1950,this
groupwasoneofthefirstgayrightsgroupsinthecountry36.In1959,thegroupheldits
annualconventioninDenverandeventuallyoccupiedoneofthetwohousesownedbythe
congregationjusttothenorthofthechurchbuilding.
Theyear1973wasaturningpointingayrightsinDenver.Thatyear,aCityCouncil
hearingtookplaceregardingtheallegeddiscriminationbyDenverpoliceofgaymen.At
thattime,alargebusdubbed“TheJohnnyCashSpecial”wasusedtoentrapgaymenin
Denver’sCivicCenter,aknowngay“cruisingarea.”Thisresultedinthearrestof24men
andthegalvanizingoftheGayCoalition,agroupthathasitsrootsatFirstUnitarianand
thatexiststodayasTheCenter,locatedwithinablockofthechurchonColfaxAve.As
describedontheCenter’swebsite,37acivillawsuit,“GayCoalitionofDenvervs.Denver”
gavethecoalitionaccesstopolicerecords,wheretheydiscoveredthat98%ofthose
arrestedfor“offeroflewdconduct”weregaymen.InOctober1973,theGayCoalition
arrivedenmasse(about300people)ataCityCouncilmeeting,resultingintherepealof
twolawsregardingloiteringandcross-dressing.Alatercourtdecisiondeterminedthat
policecouldnotenforcecriminallawsinadiscriminatorymanneragainstgays.
InJune1974,theGayCoalitionorganizedDenver’sfirst“Pride”event(a“gay-in”at
CheesmanPark)andin1975thefirstGayPrideParade.38FirstUnitarianmemberswere
involvedintheseevntsandcontinuetoparticipateinPrideFestonanannualbasis.
In1975,FirstUnitarianRev.DickHenrywroteaDenverPosteditorialdefendingthefirst
gayweddingsheldinthechurch.Intheeditorial,henotesthelongstandingrelationship
withtheMetropolitanCommunityChurchoftheRockies(MCCR).MCCRwasagayand
35(ColoradoProspector,Sept.1982,p.7)
36(MattachineSociety,Wikipedia)
37(HistoryofTheCenter,2013,website)
38(Marcus,2013,Pridefest:AHistoryofDenver’sGayPrideCelebration)
24
lesbiancongregationthat,undertheleadershipofRev.CharlieArehart,sharedofficespace
withFirstUnitarianandworshipedintheRoseChapelfromSeptember1973untilit
purchaseditsownbuildingin1979.39Ashestatedintheeditorial,“….anexpressionofour
respectforthispersecutedminority’swayoflifeandourconvictionthataperson’ssexual
orientationisaprivatematterwhichshouldbeofnoconcerntoanother.”40
Incontinuedadvocacyforequalrights,First
UnitarianbeganhostinganannualStanding
ontheSideofLoveworshipserviceonthe
weststepsoftheColoradoStateCapitalin
2006toadvocateforCivilMarriageasaCivil
Rightandhasheldthisserviceeveryyear
sincethen.Thispublicreligiousadvocacyfor
marriageequality,whichgrewtoincludethe
participationofmanyFrontRangechurches,
wasakeygalvanizingforceforallthosein
DenverandColoradowhowereadvocating
StandingontheSideofLove,2015
formarriageequality.AlthoughColorado
enactedtheColoradoCivilUnionActin2013,theStandingontheSideofLoveservice
continuedtotakeplaceannuallyuntilSeptember2015,whensamesexmarriagewas
legalizedinColoradoandtheentirecountry.Today,theservicecontinuesbutisfocusedon
racialequalityandimmigrationjustice.
FirstUnitarianmembershaveconductedactsofcivildisobedienceinanefforttopromote
gayrights.In2007,KateBurnsandSheilaSchroederconductedasit-inattheDenver
marriagelicenseoffice,refusingtoleaveuntiltheywereissuedalicense.Theywere
arrested;avideooftheeventisavailableathttps://youtu.be/9Q0-TtYZyhw).In2009,
FirstUnitarianmembersLewisThompson,LaurinFoxworth,andKateBurnswerearrested
whentheyprotestedthecourtdecisiontoupholdProposition8(banningsame-sex
marriage)inCalifornia.Theywerefinedandthecongregationraisedmoneytopaythisfee.
Thecongregation’sworkforequalityforGay,Lesbian,Bisexual,TransgenderandQueer
populationsisrecognizedbytheUnitarianUniversalistAssociation(UUA),ofwhichFirst
Unitarianisamember.In2001thecongregationwasdesignatedasa“Welcoming
Congregation”andin2007becamethefirstUnitarianUniversalistcongregationinthe
nationtoobtainthe“BeyondWelcomingCongregation”designation.
SupportingtheCivilRightsMovement
Duringthe1960s,thechurchbecamethelocalhomefortheCongressofRacialEquality
(CORE).ChurchmembersRuthSteiner,JaneWasson,andHelenWolcott,werefounding
membersoftheDenverChapterofCORE.In1962,thegroupconducteditsfirststrike
campaignattheDenverDryGoodsStoreonthe16thStreetMall.TheGeneralManagerat
39(MCCRHistory,2016,website)
40(Henry,1975,LettertotheEditor,TheDenverPost)
25
thetimereportedlysaidthathewould“spend$1millionbeforehehiredablacksales
person”41butdidbeginintegratingthesalesstaffafterthenon-violentprotest.CORE
MemberssubsequentlypicketedatSafewayandKingSoopersin1963,resultinginan
announcementinlocalnewspaperafewdayslaterthatthestoreswerehiring.
IncollaborationwiththewifeofRev.Wendall
T.LigginsofZionBaptistChurch,thegroup
implemented“housingtesting”and
“employmenttesting”touncoverthepractice
ofRedLininginDenver.WhiteCOREmembers
andtheRev.Mrs.Ligginswouldseparatelyseek
torentaproperty,forexample,onlytobemet
withdifferentinformationontheavailabilityof
thesaidproperty.“Mrs.Ligginswasalways
elegantlydressedinabeautifulminkstole,and
wewouldwearplainclothes.”42Thechurch
raisedfundsandpaidthefinesofprotestors
involvedintheseactivities.
Otheractivitiesofthechurchdedicatedtoward
racialintegrationincludedthedevelopmentof
theBlackAffairsCommitteetopromoteracial
integration,andthedevelopmentoftheBlack
FirstUnitarianMemberHelenWolcottandCORE
Caucus.Duringthelate1960s,thecongregation
members
ownedapropertyinthemountainnear
AllensparkcalledPointofPinesandatonepointitwasessentiallyhandedovertotheBlack
CaucusinordertocreateacommercialentitythattheBlackCaucuscouldmanage.
In1965,membersofthechurch
marchedacrossthePettisBridgein
Selma,Alabama,andlaterthatyear
heldarallyonthestepsofthe
ColoradoStateCapitolforJames
Reed,aUnitarianUniversalist
ministerwhowaskilledinSelma.
FirstUnitarianmembershavebeen
involvedintheMLKMaradesinceit
began.Thisparadeisnow
consideredtobeoneofthenation’s
largestcelebrationsandmarchesin
honorofMartinLutherKing,Jr.
MLKMarade,2016
41(Raabe,2016,PersonalInterview)
42(Raabe,2016,PersonalInterview)
26
PromotingFairHousing
The1960salsosawinvolvementofthechurchintheFairHousingmovement,withthe
initialFairHousingofficehousedinthechurchbuilding.In1966,theFairHousingCenter
wascreatedatFirstUnitarianwithvolunteerstaffingbythecongregation.
AfterCongresspassedHousingBill221Hgiving
nonprofitorganizationsanopportunityto
rehabilitatehousesforlow-incomefamiliesata
lowrateofinterest,thecongregationcreatedthe
FirstUnitarianRe-HabHousingCorporation.It
workedcloselywithMetroDenverFairHousing
tooverseerenovationoffivehomesandensure
theselectionoffamiliesthatqualifiedtoassume
themortgages.Churchmembersinvolvedinthis
effortincludedFloydTanaka,Dorothea
Spellman,HelenWolcott,GwenThomasand
others.Inthefallof1969,afterhundredsof
hoursofdevotedvolunteerwork,fivefamilies
RockyMountainNews,Feb3,1966,p14A
weresettledintotheirnewhomes.
ProtestingtheVietnamWar
InOctober1971,Rev.RichardHenryofFirstUnitarianSociety,hiswife,andanother
congregantwereamong40whowerearrestedastheyprotestedtheVietnamWarwiththe
groupVietnamVetsAgainsttheWar.Theywerearrestedforattemptingtomarchinthe
Veteran’sDayparade.Theofficialcharges,“twotrafficmisdemeanors:usingthestreet
whenasidewalkwasavailableandfailuretoobeyalawfulorderofthepolice.”The
ministercalledoutotherclergyfornotriskingjailorfinestoprotesttheWar.The
protestingveterans“stoodinthestreetsingingAmericatheBeautifulwiththeirhands
behindtheirheads,prisoner-of-warfashion”and“thepolicestartedmakingarrests.”43
ImmigrationPolicy--TheNewSanctuaryMovement
Afocusonimmigrationrightsbeganinthecongregationin
2012.ByJune2014thecongregationvotedbya2/3
majoritytobecomeaNewSanctuaryProject.Asthefirst
churchinColoradotopasssuchaninitiative,First
UnitarianquicklybecamealeadingpartnerintheMetro
SanctuaryCoalitionofDenver.OnOctober21,2014,
Mexican-bornArturoHernandezGarciamovedintothe
churchanddidnotleavethebuildingagainuntilJuly
2015—afterninemonthsinsanctuary.Duringthetime
ArturoHernandezonCoverofWestword
Magazine,Feb24,2015
27
thatArturoresidedinthechurch,thecongregationprovided
personal,practicalandpoliticalsupports,regularlylobbying
federalauthoritiestodropdeportationordersagainstArturo.
Thecongregationalsoeducatedthecommunityonimmigration
andsanctuarythroughmultipleworkshopsandmeetings.
ArturoleftsanctuaryonJuly20,2015afterlearningthathiscase
wouldnolongerbeanenforcementpriority.ByhousingArturo
HernandezGarcia,FirstUnitarianbroughtnationalattentionto
theneedforhumaneimmigrationreform.
BlackLivesMatter
TheDenverPost,July20,2015
InFebruary2015,aftermuchcongregationaldiscussion,thechurchvotedtoputaBlack
LivesMatterbanneronthesideofitsbuildinginsolidaritywiththeBlackLivesMatter
movement.Thechurchbecameactively
involvedinthisissue,hostingseveral
BlackLivesMatter5280andFreedom
Ridersmeetingsaswellasattending
interfaithservicesatAMEShorterinthe
fallof2015.In2015,theBlackLives
Matterbannerandbuildingwere
vandalizedwithredpaintandaglass
doorshattered.Thecongregationdid
notremovethebannerandcontinuesto
supporttheeffortsofBlackLivesMatter
andtheFreedomRiders.
VandalismofBlackLivesBannerandtheBuilding
AnincubatorforSocialJustice
Inthe1970s,FirstUnitariancreateda“sharedspace”initsbasementandinthetwohouses
tothenorthofthechurch.Avarietyoftheorganizationswerethosethatcouldnotfind
spaceelsewheregivencontroversialviews.Perchurchrecords,someoftheagenciesusing
thespaceincluded:
• AbortionreferralandCounselingService
• AmericanYouthHostel
• CoPIRG
• AmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU)
• NationalOrganizationofWomen(NOW)
• AmericanFriendsServiceCommittee
• SocialServiceagenciesincluding:IntensiveCommunityTreatmentCenter(Youth
ServicesDivisionofDivisionofCorrections)andDenverDepartmentofSocial
Services/ChildWelfare,
• GrayPanthers
• Avarietyofeducationalorganizationsincluding:RockyMountainApplied
ScholasticSchool,DenverFreeUniversity,ColoradoUniversityDenverCenter,
28
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
RockyMountainLawSchool,Munoz-MottLanguageSchool,EastHighSchool
SummerSeminar,andCommunityCollegeofDenver.
Avarietyofsubstanceabusegroupsincluding:MidtownAAGroupandFt.Logan
MentalHealthCenterOutpatientAlcoholTreatment
CreathonsCommunityTheatre
NationalLawyers’Guild
LearningforLiving
CommonCause
AmericanIssuesForum
RockyMountainCenteronEnvironment
ColoradoContemporaryChorale
FreePulpit
FirstUnitarianhaslongmaintainedatraditionofafreepulpitandapolicyofprovidinga
forumforunconventionalviewsandhasonmultipleoccasionsbecomeatargetof
vandalismandcommunityoutrageasaresultofthis.Thechurchwasvandalizedwithred
paintin1965inresponsetoaFreeCubadiscussion,andagainin2015shortlyafter
hangingaBlackLivesMatterbanneronthesideofthebuilding.A1973editorialbyRev.
DickHenryrespondedtoapublicoutcryaboutaneventhostedatthechurch.Indefenseof
beingaccusedofanti-semitismforleasingitsfacilitiestoagroupthatwasinterpreted
publiclyasbeing“Pro-Arab”and/orAnti-Israeli,”henotedthat:“Especiallywhenurgent
issuesdivideus,itistheresponsibilityoffreeinstitutionstoseethatthoughtanditspublic
expressionremainfree.44”
ExamplesofcontroversialspeakersthathavebeenhostedatFirstUnitarianincludethe
following:
• HarryNier-In1965,HarryNier,alocal,lifelongsocialistandsecularJewwitha
particularloveandknowledgeofFidelCastro’sCuba,spokeatFirstUnitarianonan
adultformon“FairPlayforCuba.”Afterthebuildingwasvandalizedwithred
paint45thechurch’sinsurancecompanycancelleditsinsurancepolicy,claimingthat
theUnitarianChurchwastoocontroversialandthusahighrisk.46
• AlaskaSenatorMikeGravel-In1972,AlaskaSenatorMikeGravelwhoreadinto
thepublicrecordoftheUSSenatethePentagonPapersoftheVietnamWar,spokeat
FirstUnitarian.Theeventwasco-sponsoredbytheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnion
(ACLU).
44(HenryD.,1973,LettertotheEditor,TheDenvePost)
45(RockyMountainNews,Dec.12,1965,p.5)
46(Mills,FromGoldtoGolden)
29
NotableEvents,SpeakersandGroups
ThefoundingandearlydevelopmentofFirstUnitarianSocietyofDenverdirectlyinvolved
avarietyofpeoplewhowereinfluentialinDenver,theStateofColorado,andnationally.
ChurchfoundersandearlyBoardofTrusteesmembers,asnotedintheFirstUnitarian
archives:
• FreemanB.Crocker(1828–1890)wasamemberoftheBoardofTrusteesthat
incorporatedFirstUnitarian.HewasthefirstArapahoeCountycoronerin1861,
servedontheBoardofCountyCommissionersforArapahoeCounty,wasthe
TreasurerofArapahoeSchoolDistrictnumber2,andpresidentoftheBoardin
1874.In1889,hewasappointedtofirstBoardofPublicWorkswithanother
Unitarian,DCDodge.47
• JohnDailey(1833-1908)wasontheBoardofTrusteesforthechurchnearly
continuouslyfromitsfoundingthrough1901.Hewasoneofthesignersofthe
invitationtoBeckwithtopreachinDenverandreplacedoneoftwotrusteeswho
resignedrightafterrecordingtheCharter.HewasafounderoftheRockyMountain
News48andassistedinpublishingthefirstfoureditions.In1877hewaselectedas
ArapahoeCountyTreasurer,andin1887asChiefDeputyCountyClerk.Heserved
ontheParkCountyBoardofCountyCommissionersunderMayorVanHornandwas
involvedinlayingoutChaffeeandJamesH.PlattparksandimprovingCityPark.
• HonorableLewisC.Ellsworth(1832-1904)servedonchurchBoardfrom1873to
1878andwasamemberoftheStateConstitutionalConventionwhenColoradowas
admittedasastatetotheunion.EllsworthAvenueinDenverisnamedforhim.
• BrigadierGeneralIrvingHale(1861-1930)servedontheFirstUnitarianBoardof
Trusteesfrom1895to1903,includingserviceasBoardPresident.CampHaleis
namedforhim,asisHaleParkwayinDenver.
• HenryTreatRogers(1846-1922)servedontheFirstUnitarianBoardfrom1895to
1896,1901to1902,and1916to1918.HewasPresidentoftheDenverand
ColoradoBarAssociations,afounderoftheDenverCountryClubandtheUniversity
Club,andservedonnationalUnitariancommitteeswithChiefJusticeWilliamH.
Taft.
EarlymembersnotableintheCityandState,asnotedintheFirstUnitarianarchives:
• Dr.MinnieC.T.Love(1856-1947)wasaphysicianwhobeganatenthospitalinCity
ParkforchildrenatthebeginningoftheSpanishAmericanWar.Shewasamember
oftheColoradoStateLegislature,aDenverSchoolBoardmember,andasignerof
47(Hall,1891,HistoryoftheStateofColorado)
48(RockyMountainNews,Wikipedia)
30
•
•
theincorporationoftheChildren’sHospitalat2221DowningStreet.
AugustaTabor(1833-1895)wasafounderandVicePresidentofthePioneer
Ladies’AidSociety.Sheranaboardinghousewhereshehostedmanyfundraisers
forthechurch.Shesuccessfullyranbusinesses,ownedrealestate,andmanagedher
ownmoneywhenwomenwererarelyinvolvedinfinancialmatters.Shewasoneof
therichestbusinesspeopleinDenveranddonatedmuchofhermoneytothe
UnitarianChurch.49TaborwasinductedintotheNationalMiningHallofFameand
theColoradoWomen’sHallofFamein1991.HerfuneralwasheldatFirstUnitarian
onFebruary8,1895.
OttoMears(1840-1931)iscreditedwithlayingthefoundationfortoday’shighway
systemviatheMillionDollarHighwaythathebuiltbetweenDurangoandOuray.
•
•
•
DavidDouglasBelden(1821-1897)wasalong-timememberofthechurchand
servedontheAdvisoryBoardfortheLadiesReliefSociety.HeservedasMayorof
Omaha,intheNebraskalegislature,andasDenverCityAttorney.From1865to
1869,hewasSuperintendentoftheSmith&ParmaleeGoldCompanyonthe
GregoryLode,duringwhichtimetheGregoryLodewasthegreatestgoldproducing
mineinColorado.In1867hewaselectedfromGilpinCountytotheupperbranchof
thelegislature;duringhistermhehadthecastingvotebywhichthecapitalof
ColoradowasremovedfromGoldenCitytoDenver.TheBeldenmineinEagle
Countywasnamedforhim.
EmilyParmaleeBelden(1826-1902)wasoneoftheoriginalincorporatorsofthe
LadiesReliefSocietyonOctober28,1874.AccordingtotheDenverTimesonMarch
6,1902,“fewwomenhavetakenalargerpartinDenver’sliteraryandcharitable
activities.”
HaremPittBennett(1826-1914)servedasadelegatetoCongressfromthe
ColoradoTerritorytwice,asPostmasterfrom1869-1874,andasaSenatorinthe
firstGeneralAssemblyinthenewstateofColorado.
•
FredDick(18521920)wasSuperintendentofSchoolsinTrinidad,Coandin1888
becameSuperintendentofSchoolsfortheStateofColorado.
•
JohnCottonDana(1856-1929)wasDenver’sfirstlibrariananddirectedthe
DenverPublicLibraryfrom1889to1898,pioneeringtheconceptof“openstacks.”
HeservedaspresidentoftheAmericanLibraryAssociationin1895-1996andis
recognizedintheLibraryHallofFame.50
FrankDamrosch(1859-1937)wasamemberandthefirstMusicDirectorofFirst
Unitarian.HewassupervisorofmusicoftheDenverPublicSchoolsandwentonto
•
50(JohnCottonDana,2016,Wikipedia).
31
becomeanotedAmericanconductor,composer,educator,andco-founderofthe
JulliardSchool.
•
•
•
DCDodge(1937–1978)wasthefirstfreightandticketagentforDenverandthe
RioGrandeRailroad(D&RG)andisresponsibleforextendingthatrailroadtoOgden,
UtahwithGeneralPalmer(thedirectoroftheRR).Heiscreditedwiththe
conversionfromnarrowgagetostandardgagethroughoutColorado.Notably,when
theD&RGwassold,PalmerandDodgearereportedtohavedivided$1,000,000of
theamountreceivedamongformeremployeesofthesystem,downtothehumblest.
WilliamColumbusFerril(1855-unknown)wasaneditoroftheDenver
RepublicanandtheRockyMountainNews.Hewroteanarticle,publishedinthe
KansasCityJournalin1889,outliningplansforacentennialexpositionto
commemoratetheLouisianaPurchasein1903,ultimatelyresultinginthehostingof
theWorld’sFairinSt.Louisin1903.FerrilwasthecuratorofColoradoHistorical
andNaturalHistorySociety1896-1910andanownerandeditoroftheRocky
MountainHerald.
Rev.SamuelA.Eliot(1862-1950)waspastoroftheFirstUnitarianChurchfrom
1889-1893.EliotwasPresidentoftheAmericanUnitarianAssociationfrom1900to
1927,significantlyexpandingtheAssociation’sactivitiesandconsolidating
denominationalpowerinitsadministration.EliotservedasVicePresidentofthe
AssociatedCharitiesinDenverearlyintheformationofthatorganization.
•
•
JaredWarnerMills51(1852–1907)isperhapsmostnotablyknownforpreparing
the1893referendumonWomen’sSuffrage,markingthefirsttimewomen’ssuffrage
passedbyapopularvoteinanyoftheUnitedStates.Millsalsodraftedan1897act
abolishingcapitalpunishmentthatwasadoptedbythelegislature(andlater
rescinded),wasapresidentoftheColoradoDirectLegislationLeague,servedas
PresidentoftheStateBoardofCharitiesandSateBoardofPardons.Millswasalso
thesoleprosecutorinthesuccessfulconvictionofAlfredPacker.
Dr.WilliamSmedley(1836-1926)wasthefirstpresidentoftheDenverDental
AssociationandPresidentoftheColoradoStateDentalAssociation.Hewasalso
PresidentofNorthSideSchoolDistrict17,whichultimatelybecamepartofDenver
PublicSchools.
•
CarleWhitehead(1877-1955)wasraisedinthechurchandwentontorepresent
blackmeninanti-discriminationcases.TheACLUestablishedtheCarleWhitehead
Memorialawardwasestablishedin1953.
51(Pomeroy,J.WaernerMillsofDenver)
32
Recentnotablemembersofthechurch,asnotedintheFirstUnitarianarchivesandin
commonknowledgeamongchurchmembers:
• Gov.Richard(Dick)Lamm(1935-)wasamemberofthechurchandmarried
DottieLammatthechurchin1963.Lammislistedonthe“Colorado100”Honor
Roll,1992”whichisdesignedtohonorpeoplewhohavemadesignificant
contributionstoColoradoandmadelastingimpressionsonthestateanditspeople.
Hisadvocacyforenvironmentalprotection,qualityoflifeandtherighttodiewith
dignityaresomeofthecontroversialissuesthatmadehimfamous.
• WayneKnox(1927-)servedintheColoradoHouseofRepresentativesfrom19601962andfrom1975-1996.
• AntoniaBrico(1902-1989)wasthefirstfemaleconductortoreceiveinternational
fame.ShewasamemberandMusicDirectoratFirstUnitarianduringthe1950s.
• SamuelB.Lancaster(1944-2013)wasacomposer,pianist,conductorandMusic
DirectoratFirstUnitarian.HewasMusicDirectoratSt.John’sEpiscopalChurchand
theColoradoChildren’sChorale,andapianistfortheDenverSymphonyOrchestra.
• HelenWolcott52wasaleaderinracialintegrationeffortsinDenver,leading
picketingeffortsatDenverDryGoodsandotherestablishmentsinDenver.Wolcott
wasafoundingmemberofDenver’sCongressofRacialEquality(CORE)Wolcott
workedwiththeParkHillActionCommittee(PHAC)toendhousingdiscrimination
againstblacks,wasinstrumentalinendingsegregationintheCubScouts,andwas
involvedwithCitizensforOneCommunity,agroupthatsupportedintegrationinthe
schools.
• RichardHenrywasministerofFirstUnitarianfrom1957-1977.Hereceivedthe
DistinguishedServiceAwardinHumanRelations,awardedbytheParkHillAction
Committeein1966.In1967,theBethJosephCongregation’sMen’sClubawarded
theAnnualHumanRelationsCitationtoHenry.HeservedontheBoardofDirectors
oftheUnitarianServiceCommitteeandwasontheboardofdirectorsofPlanned
ParenthoodandtheACLU.
• LewisThompson,LaurinFoxworth(deceased)andKateBurnsactively
protesteddiscriminationingaymarriagein2007and2009.In2007,KateBurns
andpartnerSheilaSchroederconductedasit-inattheDenvermarriagelicense
office,refusingtoleaveuntiltheywereissuedalicense.In2009,FirstUnitarian
membersLewisThompson,LaurinFoxworth,andKateBurnswerearrestedwhen
theyprotestedthecourtdecisiontoupholdProposition8(banningsame-sex
marriage)inCalifornia.
52(Schroeder,2016,ParkHill'sHistoricStruggleforIntegration)
33
NotablemembersofPlymouth/FirstPlymouthChurchduringitsoccupationat1400
Lafayette(1893-1958),asrecordedintheFirstPlymoutharchives:
• CongressmanByronJohnson—Interestinprovidinglow-costhousingforsenior
citizensbeganatFirst-Plymouthinthe1940’s.Inthemid-1950’s,asFPwas
consideringwhethertoexpandormove,thedesiretomoveforwardonhousingfor
seniorswasgainingsteam.Oneofthekeyparticipantsinmakingithappenwas
CongressmanByronJohnsonwhohelpedovercomesomeofthehurdlesatthe
federallevel.ThefirstoccupantsmovedintoKentuckyCircleVillagein1960.The
Villagewasacollaborationbetweenseveraldifferentchurchcongregations.
• FrederickC.L.SchmidwastreasureratPlymouthChurchintheearlypartofthe
20thcenturyandwasoftenadmonishingthecongregationtokeepupontheir
pledgessothechurchcouldpayitsbills.Hestartedsellingradios(anewdeviceat
thetime)outofhisbarbershopat1205E.13thAve.HelateropenedtheFred
SchmidAppliancestoreeventuallygrowingto22storesbeforeclosingdowninthe
1990’s.
• Hazel(Rhoads)Gateswasamemberof
PlymouthChurchintheearly1900’sandasister
toHarryMellonRhoads,afamousearlyDenver
Newspaperphotographer.Hazelmarried
CharlesC.GatesatPlymouthChurchonApril4th,
1910.CharlespurchasedtheColoradoLeather
andTireCo.intheearly1900’s,whichlater
becametheinternationallyknownGatesRubber
Company.
CharlesandHazelGatesontheir
weddingdayatPlymouthChurch
• JudgeBoothM.Malonewasamemberof
PlymouthChurchwhocametoDenverin1892tobecomeanAssistantDistrict
Attorney.HewaslaterelectedtoDistrictAttorneyandhadareputationasbeing
oneofthemostbrilliantprosecutorsintheStateofColorado.In1900,hewas
electedjudgeoftheDenverDistrictCourtwherehewasdescribedasbeingastrong,
fair-mindedandjustjudge.
• GovernorWilliamE.SweetwastheSundaySchoolSuperintendentatPlymouth
Churchintheearly1900’s.Heoperatedasuccessfulinvestmentbankingbusiness
andlaterbecameinvolvedwiththeYMCAmovement.HewaselectedGovernorof
Coloradoin1922foratwo-yeartermandwasdefeatedforasecondtermbythe
KKKbackedClarenceMorely.In1940,Mr.SweetwaselectedModeratorofthe
CongregationalChristianChurches,apositionhehelduntilhisdeathin1942.In
1940,Sweetandhiswife,Joyeuse,donatedcolorfulstained-glasswindowsforthe
Sanctuaryinhonorofhismother.Sweetalsodonatedthehistoricfrontdoorstothe
church.
34
•
•
•
•
d.
AllanM.Culver&familywasinvolvedinrealestateinthelate1890’sandlater
becameasafedepositofficerattheInternationalBank&Trust.Mrs.Culverwas
associatedwiththeYWCA.TheCulver’sdonatedthepipeorganforthePlymouth
Chapelinmemoryoflong-timepastor,Rev.FrankT.Bayley.WhenthePlymouth
buildingwassoldtotheUnitariancongregationin1958,theCulverchildren
arrangedfortheorgantobemovedtotheChapelatthenewFirst-Plymouthchurch.
Dr.andMrs.HarryPackardweremedicalmissionariesinPersiaintheearly
1900’sduringatimeofextremestrifeinthecountry.Mrs.Packard(Frances)was
thedaughterofPastorRev.FrankT.Bayley.Abronzeplaquehonoringtheirservice
wasinstalledatthechurchin1915.
FinlayL.MacFarlandwasanautomobiledealer,presidentoftheCivicand
CommercialAssociation,andPresidentoftheDenverWaterBoardin1918.
SilasG.PiersonislistedasVicePresidentandTreasurerfortheColoradoFuel&
IronCo.withanofficeintheBostonBuilding,Denver.
Describeotherstructuresthathavesimilarassociationsandthe
relationship/comparisonofthisstructuretotheseotherstructures.
OtherDenverlandmarksdesignedbyVarianandSternerinclude53:
• McNeilHouse,930LoganSt.(RichardsonianRomanesque,1890)
Otherbuildingsofsimilararchitecturalstyleand/orusingrhyolitestoneinclude:54
• CentralPresbyterianChurch,1660ShermanSt.(RichardsonianRomanesque,1892)
• TreatHall,Johnson&WalesCampus,1800PontiacSt.(RichardsonianRomanesque,
1890)
• ZionBaptistChurch933E24thAve.(RomanesqueRevival,1893)
• KittredgeBuilding,51116thStreetMall(RomanesqueCommercial,1890)
• IliffSchoolofTheology(RichardsonianRomanesque)
• Duning-BenedictHouse,1200Pennsylvania(RichardsonianRomanesque)
• MacKayHouse,3559AlcottSt.(CastleRockrhyolite,1891)
53(DenverLandmarkCommission,2016,website)
54(DenverLandmarkCommission,2016,website)
35
36
10. Resources
• FirstUnitarianSocietyarchives
• DenverPublicLibraryWesternHistoryCollection
• FirstPlymouthCongregationalChurchArchives
11. Photographs
Attachatleastfour(4)5x7orlargercolorphotographsshowingtheviewsofthe
propertyfromthepublicrightofway(s)andanyimportantfeaturesordetails.If
available,attachcopiesofhistoricphotographsofthestructure.
Seenextpage
37
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver:SouthwestCorner
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver:NorthwestCorner
38
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver:SoutheastCorner
FirstUnitarianSocietyofDenver:NortheastCorner
39
Earlypictureof1400LafayetteSt.,DenverCO
40
12.
SiteMap
41
LetterofSupportfromFirstPlymouthChurch
42
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46

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