During Mancos Days, July 27-28, St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Mancos will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the construction and consecration of its church building. The church is located on the corner of Bauer Avenue and Oak Street.
The congregation plans to join the Mancos Days Parade to announce the event with a return of Pastor Hoge, the "pistol-packing padre" who first brought Episcopal services to Mancos in 1882. After the parade, an open jouse and tours of the church will be held. From 1 to 3 p.m., there will be an old fashioned gospel sing in the church's garden, dedicated to the memory of Father Mike Darmour, former vicar. Music will be provided by Carolyn Smith on the hammered dulcimer.
On Sunday, July 28, at 9 a.m. a Service of Holy Communion will be held using the 1892 Book of Common Prayer, the edition of the Prayer Book that would have been used for the Consecration Service in 1913 by The Right Reverend Benjamin Brewster, the third Bishop of the Western Colorado District. There will be a reception in the Parish Hall following the service, with tours of the chapel.
From 2 to 4 p.m., there will be an open house again with tours of the Chapel.
At 4 p.m., a service of Evensong with assistance by members of St. Mark's Choir, Durango, will be held.
The public is invited to all events.
The property was purchased in 1910, and groundbreaking was in June 1913. The builder was Wilton L. Morse. who was also a member of the congregation.
"The total cost of the building was $1,230! Most of the money was contributed by members of St. Paul's, with generous help from other Mancos citizens and businesses. Furnishings were donated by other Episcopal churches in part, others by the Mancos communicants." [From Mildred Ross's article in "Come Back to My Valley" by Fern D. Ellis, 1976]
In preparation for the centennial celebrations, the chapel has been re-stuccoed. This was made possible in part by contributions from citizens of Mancos who are not members of the congregation - once more, 100 years later, marking the generosity of Mancos citizens.
The congregation is especially thankful to the Mancos Mason's Lodge for the pancake breakfast which they sponsored for St. Paul's Stucco Project. There has been a long historical connection between the Lodge and the congregation.