Castle Rock’s oldest church marked its 150th anniversary on Sunday with a special homecoming service, a celebration that was the culmination of a year’s efforts to honor the church’s rich history.
“It was a fantastic turnout. We had former pastors return, and previous choir members joined us to sing once again,” said Matt Franks, senior pastor of Castle Rock First United Methodist Church.
For 150 years, this church has been a place of worship, service, and community for the people of Castle Rock.
“This congregation is incredibly warm and welcoming—everyone is invited to be a part of it,” said church member Larry Nitsch.
First United Methodist was established in 1874 at Third and Wilcox streets in downtown Castle Rock, in a building that now serves as a Masonic meeting hall.
“The first gathering took place in August 1874 in a carpenter’s shop in Castle Rock,” Nitsch recalled.
The church later moved to Third and Perry streets, near what is now Church Market, before settling at its current location on South Street in the 1970s.
As Castle Rock evolved, the church played a vital role in shaping the town.
“They recognized the community’s needs and stepped up to meet them,” Nitsch said.
Church members were key in establishing the Douglas-Elbert County Task Force on Park Street (now known as Help and Hope Center), Castle Rock Senior Center, and Women’s Crisis Centers.
Today, the church continues to serve the community through food drives, a backpacking ministry for ex-prisoners, a group that donates blankets to the homeless, and various other missions.
“We are active both within our community and within our church family,” Nitsch added.
Laris Nichi, a member since 1971, spent a year documenting the church’s history in a booklet.
“These are our roots, and we need to appreciate and build on them,” Nitsch said.
Photos, memorabilia, and quilts brought the church’s story to life during the homecoming service.
“All the quilts tell a story from different families and what it means to them, which reflects the life of the church. We come from various places, but we’re all connected to those who have been here for quite some time,” Franks said.
After the service, old and new members gathered to share a meal.
“All the faces and hair are much older! Fifteen years makes a big difference,” joked Grace George, a church member from 2000 to 2010.
“I saw an associate pastor today that I hadn’t seen since the 70s,” Nitsch added.
The gathering was a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future.
“It’s about honoring our past without being bound by it. It’s embracing who we are while moving forward into who we’re becoming,” Franks said.
As they look to the next 150 years, the church remains committed to welcoming and serving the entire Castle Rock community.
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