Parish Church of St. Charles the Martyr

Episcopal Diocese of Colorado
505 East 8th Avenue
Fort Morgan, CO

Sunday Schedule:

Christmas Services:

Picture courtesy of Steve Spicer 2008

Our History

As recorded by Father Marshall V. Minister & Irving heath

The Parish Church of St. Charles the Martyr had its origin as St. Paul's Episcopal Mission Church in 1905.  Prior to that, services were held intermittently by non-resident priests under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. 

In the early 1900's a group of men who enjoyed singing together realized that they were singing Episcopal hymns, so they thought "why not have an Episcopal Church?"  The first service was held in the WRC Hall in 1900 and the group owned choired chairs long before there was an actual congregation! 

In 1905 the Venerable Maurice Bywater, Archdeacon, began supplying the Fort Morgan group with priestly services.  It was through his efforts that the first church edifice was erected in 1905.  The church was built on the corner of Prospect Street and East Kiowa Avenue.  Members were few and many family incomes were minimal.  On the original pledge list it was specified that the new church building was to cost no more than $1500.  The 118 donors, many of whom were friends of the church and not members, pledged $887.  The parish secured a loan of $800 and it was not until 1917 that the mortgage was paid in full. 

Early records of the church named A.M. Johnson, Tyler D. Heiskill, W.H. Clatworthy, M.N. Wagner, G. Layton and Sidney Prince as parish members.  As the parish grew a Church School was organized, the Women's Guild developed into an auxiliary and soon more space was needed.  Out of this need came the building of a Guild Hall on the adjoining property.  Many activities, both social and fundraising, occurred in the Guild Hall. 

In 1946 the City Fire Department declared the little church unsafe for public use.  With that, a building fund was established and plans for a new church were conceived.  Under the direction of Father Marshall Minister, who served the parish for many years, the current church was constructed at the corner of East 8th Avenue and Lincoln Street.  The parish has struggled over the years, but now flourishes, boasting a full time Priest, extensive outreach ministry and an international mission team.  It strives to perpetuate the mission of the Episcopal faith to "restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ."  We are all blessed to be the friends and family of the small but mighty parish of St. Charles the Martyr.