Church History

The History of Calvary Presbyterian Church of Pine River in Bayfield, Colorado

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(This narrative is lifted from the words of the church historians)

 In the summer of 1888, the Rev. Alexander M. Darley who was then a missionary to the Mexicans and Indians of Colorado and New Mexico in the interest of the Presbyterian Church, came to Los Pinos and organized a Sabbath School which met every Sunday through the summer, but lapsed when winter came on.  Late in the summer of 1895, Mrs. Laura E. Bay proposed the organization of a Union Sabbath School in the Los Pinos school house.  This was effected and the school met regularly every Sunday for some time until it became what is known as the Presbyterian Sunday School of Bayfield.  In February, of 1897, L. R. Smith a licentiate of the Presbyterian Church, then having charge of the Florida field, came to Los Pinos and held services in the school house for about a year, then after a week’s special meetings, arranged to organize a church under the care of the Presbytery of Pueblo.  The organization was effected on the 6th of March, 1898.

 

The church was organized by the people of Pine River.   Steps were promptly taken for the erection of a church building.  A grant of $800 was made by the Board of Church Erection and the lots were presented by W. A. Bay.  Ground for the foundation was broken April 16, 1898, and the new building was used for service on March 15, 1899.  On June 7, 1899, the church building was dedicated.  Rev. L. R. Smith preached the sermon and the Rev. T. C. Kirkwood, D.D., Superintendent of Missions conducted the special service of dedication. Mr. W. A. Bay said in a letter to the pastor, “The town of Bayfield was founded in order to have some place to build the church.  You can see that the Presbyterian Church was really the beginning of the town of Bayfield.”

 

The church, which takes its name in part from the name of the valley, is called Calvary Presbyterian Church of Pine River.  Over the years it has ministered to the spiritual needs of the Pine River, the Piedra and the Vallecito areas.  Many ministers of the church have included as part of their work a regular program of Christian service to the Ute Indians, whose reservation begins just one-half mile to the south of Bayfield.  

 

The white-steepled church would fit more properly in a Swiss Village.  Sixty miles to the east is the Continental Divide and Wolf Creek Pass.  To the west rise the mighty snowcapped peaks of the La Plata mountain range, many of which tower over 14,000 feet.  Just a few miles north of Bayfield, the Vallecito Dam pours its precious water into the Pine River Valley.  Beyond this is the Tee-La-Wuket Dude Ranch and the “San Juan Wilderness.”  In this latter pine clad region, it is still possible to find a few of the almost extinct animals in their native habitats.

 

The Presbyterian Church as a denomination has always been an ecumenical church.  It has insisted that its people support every effort in the establishing of community-wide and world-wide Christianity.  It does not seek to further a particular sectarian faith.  Its desire is to promote the Gospel of Christ and His Church.  During the pastorate of Rev. C. B. Campbell, the session of the Presbyterian Church discussed and approved federation with the Methodist church in Bayfield.  But not until the first pastorate of the Rev. R. Hasstedt, did the Presbyterian Church draw up plans for federation.  In 1920, the united congregation asked the Methodist Bishop to appoint a minister to the church. Accordingly, a Methodist minister, the Rev. H. V. Wilhelm, was appointed. The Methodists gave up their church building, (which became the Grange Hall) and all worshipped in the Presbyterian Church.  Later the Methodist church recognized the work of the Presbyterian Church in the Bayfield area.  The Bayfield church continued under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.  

 

The external part of the church has been added to through the years.  The bell which still rings in the belfry was purchased in 1906 for the price of $40.  The first communion set was given to the church by Mrs. L. B. Stone, the mother of the Rev. M. A. Stone, Stated Supply of the church in 1900-1901.  Mr. Stone was also the first occupant of the manse.  The lumber for the church and manse was obtained at the Graden saw mill located on Beaver Creek.  The lumber was hauled mostly by Mr. Bay and the building operation was in charge of Mr. Edward..  In 1917 the church authorized the piping of “city water” into the manse.  The spruce trees were planted by the Bayfield forest ranger during the pastorate of the Rev. Paul M. Bourns.  After forty-two years of service to the community, the church found it necessary to build an annex to care for the church organizations.  In 1940-1941, during the term of Mrs. Lyda C. Wood, the kitchen and annex were completed.  The Ladies Aid took charge of obtaining the financial aid, while the Rev. R. Hasstedt directed the building activity. Through the efforts of donated help, the annex was completed within a year.  

 

Following World War II, new life appeared in the church and the in the community of which it is a part.  Veterans of the war were returning to the area, which they truly loved and called “God’s Country.”  For the first time in fifty years, the church’s membership exceeded 100 individuals.  More people were coming in by Confession of faith in Christ than by letter.  This spoke well of the church and its mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ the Savior.   Men everywhere are coming to realize that God must rule over the chaos of our present world.

 

Calvary Presbyterian Church of Pine Valley continued to have financial difficulty in fully supporting a minister.  In early 1951, the Bayfield congregation voted to join with the Presbyterian churches of Durango, Florida, Ignacio and Allison in forming the San Juan Larger Parish under the care of the Presbytery of Pueblo.  Later they would be placed more appropriately in the Presbytery of Western Colorado.  The five churches shared in the financial support of ministers, some times hiring two to handle the duties, with varying times for services.  These “circuit-riding” ministers stayed in their posts from one to four years, with one staying for six years.  At times one minister would cover four churches.  Sunday was no day of rest for them!  For a time, in months having five Sundays, that day was reserved for “pot-luck get-togethers” of the five churches, each playing host in rotation.  

 

As in the early years, the economic wellbeing of the area depended largely on agriculture and cattle ranching.  As frustrating and inconvenient as that shared arrangement had to be for both ministers and congregations, of financial necessity it continued for 30 years, until May, 1981.  The Durango church withdrew first and then in a congregational meeting on May 6, 1981, on a 16 to 1 vote, the Bayfield church withdrew, to “step out in faith” to have a resident minister, using students and supply ministers in the interim until June of 1984 when the Rev. Dan Straw was called.  He moved to Bayfield and on August 2nd, 1984, and preached his first sermon at Calvary Presbyterian Church of Pine River.  But Dan did not serve as “our own” full-time minister.  At the request of the Presbytery, Bayfield agreed to an arrangement whereby Dan would preach at the Florida church at 8:00 AM on Sunday morning.  Florida would provide ¼th of Dan’s salary and expect ¼th of his time.  This would give Dan an adequate salary and make it possible for him to remain in Bayfield.  Dan’s dual tenure extended to the year 2003.

 

In the last 50 years of service to the Lord by Calvary Presbyterian Church of Pine River, evidence abounds in the official minutes of increased attention to the tradition of commitment to the community of Bayfield and surrounding area. The church truly has become a community center by opening its doors to various non-profit groups in need of a “meeting place,” when requests don’t conflict with church programs.  These include the Boy Scouts (The church began sponsoring Troop 506 in 1995).  The Girl Scouts had been meeting in the church for a number of years.  Others included the Chamber of Commerce, Senior Citizens for their Friday dinners since 1994, Home Owners Associations, Four Corners Back country Horsemen, Colorado Outfitters, Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Florida Aspen Club, alcoholics anonymous, Promise Keepers, United Blood donors, Bayfield recreation Department cooking Classes, Parenting Classes, Child Birthing Classes, and other groups periodically.  And at times, the Bayfield school District used the annex when temporary extra classroom space was needed.

 

This service was enhanced since the most recent remodeling of the annex in 1988-89 with new modernized kitchen included – much of it accomplished by volunteers in the church.  When completed, the annex was rededicated as Berry Fellowship Hall to honor Ruth and Dick berry, who literally held the church together in some of its most troublesome time of low membership (12 to 15 in attendance) without permanent ministers and sometimes none for 13 months, by serving in every capacity – as teachers, elders, maintenance team as well as giving their unwavering financial support.

 

Close on the heels of the Berry Fellowship Hall dedication in 1989, the session again decided to “step out in faith” in 1991 on a major renovation of the Sanctuary.  The pews were removed and arranged in Berry Fellowship Hall in preparation for worship services to be held the “for the duration.”  The new plans called for a return to the vaulted ceiling.  Volunteers were still relocating the pews on Saturday, March 30, but all was in place for the Easter service, including many Easter lilies and other flowers.  The craftsmanship evident in the exposed beams beneath the vaulted ceiling combined with the fresh new paint transformed the sanctuary into a cathedral of beauty which awed the Easter worshipers.

 

 When a new organ was needed in 1995, at an anticipated cost of $16,000, response was positive, as usual.  And in due course, as with previous projects, the financial reports were back in the black again.   Additional blessings have been experienced in Sunday school and Vacation Bible school enrollment during the century.  As numbers fluctuated with the local economy volunteers to teach have always stepped forward to fill those posts.  Vacation Bible school has always been strong and has attracted many children from all over the area.

 

In 1993 when enrollment in Sunday School was high and the desire to have classrooms, a two-story wing with full basement (and classrooms) were added to the west side of the church, featuring five classrooms on the second floor.  The first floor contained a pastor’s study and a secretary’s office.  Folding doors also provided expansion for the sanctuary.  And for the first time, the church enjoyed the comfort of two indoor restroom facilities!  This wing was dedicated as Hasstedt Hall in honor of R. J. Hasstedt who had served the church for so many years as minister, member, remodeler and carpenter.  Following his retirement in 1948, Rev. Hesstedt made it a practice to preach on the Sabbath nearest his January 31st birthday.  On January 28, 1979 he did just that for his 100th birthday – preaching for 35 minutes, after refusing to use a stool!  He lived to be 102.

 

A major outreach group is the Crusaders.  Through the years, many church and non-church local needs have been filled by this hardworking group.  The Crusaders have provided money to the church for music, sound equipment, meat for family cook-out meals at the close of Vacation Bible School, sessions, funeral meals and such events.  Personal extreme financial needs of church and community members have been eased.  Labels and mailing expenses of the Presby Press are picked up by the Crusaders as are donations to various community groups such as DARE, legal fund for Safehouse residents, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, and other worthy causes.

 

Inspired by the Centennial year, Crusaders Ray and Dottie Lawrence undertook the task of constructing a replica of the original church for a float which was entered in the famous Bayfield 4th of July Parade (goes around twice!).  They were assisted by John and Joan Taylor and Brandon Roberts.  Riding on the float and representing the entire church and three generations of the family were Don and Rosalie Knight, Jim and Lorna Bulwan and their children, Jordan, Carrie and Layne.  The beautiful and true replica was on display in the front yard of the church and was auctioned off later that year.  Currently, the Country Fair activities of Crusaders surrounding the 4th of July Celebration generate several thousand dollars for the Club treasure – and sunburn, fatigue and personal satisfaction for the volunteers.

 

Even though the women’s organizations have undergone several name changes during more than a century, they have continued to be diligent in service to the church, community and missions.  Whether they called themselves the “King’s daughters,” “Ruth and Naomi Society,” “The Ladies Aid,” “United Presbyterian Women,” Bayfield Presbyterian Women,” or “Presbyterian Women,” their devotion has been evident.  Whenever the church needed new carpeting, curtains, and impressive new front door, special supplies, organ or piano, wood or gas stoves – whenever – the women went into high gear to help finance the present project as well as nurturing the spirit in the church.

 

The majestic Blue Spruce Trees planted in front of the church in 1934 are still reaching for the heavens and continue to stand sentry.  The old bell in the steeple proudly rang out for freedom on this past 4th of July, thrilling all who heard it.  And it still proclaims on Sunday mornings that we are servants of the Lord, inviting all to join us.