Churches and Religion
What do these photos tell you about how their churches looked like?
A Hispanic American Church
These people are standing in front of a Catholic church in southern Colorado. They are preparing for a religious procession or parade.
Photo: Denver Public Library, Western History Collection
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The people who settled in Colorado brought many different religions with them. By the 1900s, the largest number were Protestant and Catholic Christians. Most of the people in southern Colorado were Spanish-speaking Catholics, like the people gathered in front of the church in this photo.
A Tent Service (1920's)
This is a tent service held by the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Sloan’s Lake in Denver.
Photo: Denver Public Library, Western History Collection
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Some Protestant groups held revivals or special services that were too large to be held in a church. They often held these meetings outside in a tent during the summer.
Inside The Tent Service (1920's)
This is the inside of the Seventh Day Adventists’s tent at Sloan’s Lake.
Photo: Denver Public Library, Western History Collection
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Religious tent meetings were important events. They were well attended and people dressed up for the occasion.
An African American Church (1920's)
This is a photo of Handy Chapel, an African-American church in Grand Junction. The photo was taken about 1920.
Photo: Denver Colorado Historical Society
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In the early 1900s, Protestant churches were racially segregated. Only African Americans attended the Handy Chapel.
A Westminster Church (1960)
The church in this photo is Saint Martha’s Episcopal Church in Westminster. The photo was taken about 1960.
Photo: Denver Public Library, Western History Collection
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In the mid-1900s, many new churches, like many new schools, were built in the suburbs. The church in this photo is located in the growing suburban community of Westminster.
An Aspen Church
This is Christ Episcopal Church in Aspen, Colorado.
Photo: Denver Public Library, Western History Collection
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Many churches built in the 20th century, like many other buildings, had modern architectural designs.
