THE SPIRES AND CHOIRS OF CENTRAL CITY by Pam North As the rough-and-tumble mining camps began to acquire a more civilized bent, religion began to infiltrate. The earliest religious services conducted for the benefit of Central City's "fifty-niners" were of a haphazard open-air variety, but before the end of the first summer the Methodist Rocky Mountain Mission and a Union Church had been organized. The first church structure was built by the Methodists in 1860, a simple log cabin that soon was destroyed by fire. The Catholics inhabiting Gregory Gulch were administered to by Father Machebeuf, who made missionary visits from Denver; his mission acquired ground and a two-story frame building in 1861, also preempting ground for a future larger structure. The Union Church became Presbyterian in 1862, and an Episcopalian group also was organized that year. Congregationalists and Universalists appeared on the scene in 1863, and Baptists the following year. Energetic building efforts ensued to construct houses of worship as a result of this interdenominational rivalry; proper church buildings served to convey a domination's dignity and importance and even could help attract members. The Methodists' aspirations were ambitious, and so the realization of their project was slow; construction begun in late 1863 finally led to the church's eventual dedication in 1872. Its large stained glass windows had to be transported across the plains, and the installation of its sizeable pipe organ (one of Colorado's best at the time) was a laborious project. The building of the Catholic Church, too, was a lengthy process; its cornerstone was laid in 1866, but the original stone edifice they had begun was completed only to the basement stage, which they covered and held services in until the remainder of the building (completed in brick) was constructed in 1892. The Congregationalists built their church in approximately a year, between 1866 and 1867, but had about 350 members to crowd into a room only large enough for 275. The Baptists and Presbyterians began modest churches in 1872, completing them in just two years. St. Paul's Episcopal Church was constructed in 1873, and although immediately was put to use, was not dedicated until 1876, a celebration that all debts had been paid. The establishment of the many churches coincided with the heavy influx of women who came to Central City after 1862, helping to bring stability and an emphasis on family and spiritual values to the mining town. Other church-associated movements also began as the religious denominations gathered strength. Members of the various congregations campaigned vigorously for places of business to be closed on Sundays, and their efforts were successful toward this goal by 1870. Temperance was a major church-driven cause in the 1860s and 1870s, with hundreds signing the Murphy Movement pledge during a drive in 1877. Schools and libraries came into being largely from the support of churches; lecturers and musical concerts also were sponsored. A county Sunday School Union was organized in 1864, and also a county Bible Society to purchase and distribute Bibles. Social affairs were also cultivated by the churches, with each having its own ladies' society hostessing afternoon teas, and annual fairs and seasonal festivals were promoted. The peak of Central City's church life was reached during the intermittent revivals occurring between 1871 and 1873. Traveling evangelists preached to crowded gatherings, and even in saloons. The original seven active churches in Central City decreased to only four by the end of the century:  St James Methodist, St. Paul's Episcopal, St. Patrick's Catholic and First Presbyterian. In the churches people found opportunity for spiritual and social expression, and the opportunity to group with others of similar beliefs. The fabric of the church helped to hold the community together, and to establish a framework of reference by which society could function morally. Resource: The Little Kingdom, by Lynn I. Perrigo Photo to accompany article is at: http://www.essierun.org/cb.htm Caption: Central City's St. James Methodist Church is reputedly the oldest church in Colorado.