First Baptist Church Hosts Gathering of 250 Pastors This Weekend

The First Baptist Church in Cañon City will host a significant gathering of over 250 pastors and church leaders this weekend as part of the American Baptist Church Gathering of the Rocky Mountains. Pastor Jeff McElhattan expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “Leaders come from all over Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Colorado for this meeting.” This conference aims to unite people of faith and incorporate a strong emphasis on community service.

The dual focus of the gathering combines business meetings with volunteer initiatives, reinforcing the church’s commitment to serving its local community. “The emphasis is on serving community, being more like Christ, and helping those in need,” McElhattan explained. He anticipates that attendees will contribute over 250 hours of volunteer service to local nonprofits in Fremont County. Beneficiaries of this effort include Loaves and Fishes Ministries, New Horizons Thrift Store, and the Fremont County Jail. Attendees are also expected to distribute $25 vouchers for New Horizons to assist those requiring support.

The public is invited to attend the conference’s keynote address at 10 a.m. on Sunday, featuring Faye Yarbrough, who will share insights from her experiences as a missionary in South Africa. Visitors from various Baptist churches are expected to arrive on Wednesday, and McElhattan looks forward to showcasing Cañon City’s attractions. Guests will enjoy activities such as a dinner on the Royal Gorge Region Railroad and a visit to the renowned Royal Gorge Bridge.

The weekend also marks a historic milestone for the First Baptist Church, celebrating its 160th anniversary. Established in 1865, the church has deep roots in the community. Following the Civil War, numerous families moved westward, including a Baptist congregation from Iowa that traveled in oxcarts to what is now Fremont County. According to church historian Geraldine Colette, the church was the first religious organization in Cañon City, initially located on Fourth and Main streets.

The church’s early history is marked by a significant purchase: a property acquired for $1,500, funded by a member who sold a milk cow to contribute to the cost. After six years of saving, the church purchased a site on the corner of Seventh Street and Macon Avenue, where it stands today.

In the 1930s, the church acquired an organ from Denver for $2,500, featuring an impressive 754 pipes and 1,600 notes. As the congregation grew during the early 20th century, the church pursued various goals to accommodate its expanding membership. Renovations and additions continued into the later decades, while programs like Vacation Bible School and Sunday School flourished, attracting nearly 300 children at one time.

Entering the 21st century, the First Baptist Church has maintained its relevance by hosting the local cowboy church every Monday and collaborating with various nonprofits, including Loaves and Fishes and the Pregnancy Center. This weekend’s gathering not only marks a new chapter in the church’s history but also reinforces its long-standing tradition of community engagement and service, a commitment that the church intends to uphold for years to come.