After months of construction, a congregation has a home
By Kathryn Turner
ENLARGEThe Rev. John S. Longcamp recently started holding services at the St. Dunstan's Anglican Church at 40 Cove Blvd. in Summit Cove.
It all started on Sept. 29, 2011, in the Summit Cove home of Rev. John Longcamp. Eleven people gathered there for the first meeting of St. Dunstan's Anglican Church — a congregation that, after months of getting together in private homes, finally has a home of its own.
St. Dunstan's officially opened its doors last month in a new space, in the Soda Creek Neighborhood Center in Summit Cove. The small rental unit — tucked next to a cafe, a flower shop and a wine store — can seat about 25, and is a joy to members who can now practice their faith inside a new church, inside Summit County.
The Anglican religion is a Christian denomination with historical connections to the Church of England. Before, the closest Anglican churches were in Denver, Longcamp said.
Member James Collins, a retired microbiologist and professor, met Longcamp about three years ago on the way to a hike. Collins happened to mention that he and his wife had started an Anglican church years ago in Montana, to which Longcamp responded that he is an ordained Anglican priest. The Collins family, along with another couple, asked Longcamp if an Anglican church could be started in Summit County, hence the first meeting in late September. After that, the group met weekly for study and prayer in various participants' homes, and by the new year, were determined to make it official: They gained an Anglican fellowship status, and were awarded the title of St. Dunstan's.
Over the next few months, all of the details were worked out: the church got a checking account, found a new space and was incorporated as a nonprofit. With the help of church junior warden and retired architect Ken Mace, the former office space was transformed. On June 17, the first service was held in the new facility.
The feeling was very warm and wonderful — “a place to build into a home,” Collins said. Already, the space has an organ — donated by Longcamp's neighbors — and other necessary items found by treasurer Judy Collins through Ebay, thrift stores and other sales. Three of the church's attendees have organized a quilt ministry, in which they are making and supplying quilts for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Denver, and there is also a hiking group.
Eventually, the parish will need more space, especially if it gains more members and eventually starts a Sunday school, but for now, the new church is more than adequate, Longcamp said.
For those who would like to attend a conservative and traditional church, “we're very welcoming,” Longcamp said.
For more information, visit the church website at www.stdunstancolorado.org, or call (970) 262-3604.
This experience in starting an Anglican Mission church like St. Dunstan in Colorado can also be possible here in the Philippines! By God's grace. ACPT
St. Dunstan's officially opened its doors last month in a new space, in the Soda Creek Neighborhood Center in Summit Cove. The small rental unit — tucked next to a cafe, a flower shop and a wine store — can seat about 25, and is a joy to members who can now practice their faith inside a new church, inside Summit County.
The Anglican religion is a Christian denomination with historical connections to the Church of England. Before, the closest Anglican churches were in Denver, Longcamp said.
Member James Collins, a retired microbiologist and professor, met Longcamp about three years ago on the way to a hike. Collins happened to mention that he and his wife had started an Anglican church years ago in Montana, to which Longcamp responded that he is an ordained Anglican priest. The Collins family, along with another couple, asked Longcamp if an Anglican church could be started in Summit County, hence the first meeting in late September. After that, the group met weekly for study and prayer in various participants' homes, and by the new year, were determined to make it official: They gained an Anglican fellowship status, and were awarded the title of St. Dunstan's.
Over the next few months, all of the details were worked out: the church got a checking account, found a new space and was incorporated as a nonprofit. With the help of church junior warden and retired architect Ken Mace, the former office space was transformed. On June 17, the first service was held in the new facility.
The feeling was very warm and wonderful — “a place to build into a home,” Collins said. Already, the space has an organ — donated by Longcamp's neighbors — and other necessary items found by treasurer Judy Collins through Ebay, thrift stores and other sales. Three of the church's attendees have organized a quilt ministry, in which they are making and supplying quilts for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Denver, and there is also a hiking group.
Eventually, the parish will need more space, especially if it gains more members and eventually starts a Sunday school, but for now, the new church is more than adequate, Longcamp said.
For those who would like to attend a conservative and traditional church, “we're very welcoming,” Longcamp said.
For more information, visit the church website at www.stdunstancolorado.org, or call (970) 262-3604.
This experience in starting an Anglican Mission church like St. Dunstan in Colorado can also be possible here in the Philippines! By God's grace. ACPT
