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Beth Eden Baptist Church
During the great panic of 1893, The Beth-Eden Centenary Baptist Church was dedicated on January 13th. One hundred years before this date George Washington laid the cornerstone of the national capitol. Perhaps it was because of this historical fact that the word "Centenary" was made a part of the church name. By common consent and usage this word and the hyphen between (Beth-Eden) have been dropped, but officially the name has never been altered from the way it appeared on the paper of incorporation filed April 25th, 1893. However, the three words as they stand today, "Beth Eden Baptist," speak volumes in the church world. The following is an account of the dedication services, which appeared in THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Friday, Dec. 9, 1892.
When the Rocky Mountain Association met with the Boulder Baptist Church on November 9th to 1lth, the new church was composed of 57 members which sent the pastor and 6 delegates to the association and applied for membership in that body. It was welcomed into fellowship by singing "Blest Be the Tie that Binds." The report which these seven carried to the association was a gratifying one. The membership of the young people's society was 30; of the Women's Missionary Society 50; and of the Sunday School 220, with an average attendance in Sunday School of 188. The church property was valued at $12,000. The next year the membership was 100. It is not recorded, but it may be that the new church was too proud or too satisfied with their first fruits, for the next two or three years were lean ones. The year 1895, was one of trials and testings, discouragements and difficulties. Many members moved away, but the remaining ones had an abiding hope for brighter days and a stronger church for God. During the year 1896, the membership continued to decrease by removals and by deaths. God, in His wisdom, seemed to prune the young church as He had pruned the armies of Gideon. The report to the Association this year is interesting, not a long one but full of meaning. The church was in a healthier condition than during the previous year. "The present membership is faithful and united." Those seven significant words from the church letter should be repeated. "THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP IS FAITHFUL AND UNITED." After a still further decrease in membership, the church was ready to bear fruit once more. Not satisfied with any previous records, the workers in Bible School showed an increased desire to win souls and soul-winning methods were stressed in the weekly prayer meetings. A goodly number of young folk became interested in the church. The pastor's home at 12th and Emerson was a large house and it was often used as a place of meeting and social activities. Both the pastor and his wife were popular with the young folk and worked a great deal with them. Perhaps here was laid the foundation for a church friendly and helpful to young people. At the turn of the century Rev. Walker resigned because of failing health, but the church was moving forward and all departments were in good condition when evangelist A. D. Carpenter was called as pastor. He had been filling the pulpit for some time while Rev. Walker was trying to regain his health in California. Rev. Carpenter moved onward with the church. Both were of one accord "Do all to the glory of God." Of this period of the church history, he writes in part:
"We are looking forward with renewed faith to the commencement of the new church building during the coming year. We had hoped that the building could be started this year, but a further study of the plans disclosed the fact that a larger amount would be needed for the first unit than was anticipated. The cost of the entire building, however, will be lower and we can well afford to wait awhile until the pledges reach the required sum."
When the Rocky Mountain Association met with the Boulder Baptist Church on November 9th to 1lth, the new church was composed of 57 members which sent the pastor and 6 delegates to the association and applied for membership in that body. It was welcomed into fellowship by singing "Blest Be the Tie that Binds." The report which these seven carried to the association was a gratifying one. The membership of the young people's society was 30; of the Women's Missionary Society 50; and of the Sunday School 220, with an average attendance in Sunday School of 188. The church property was valued at $12,000. The next year the membership was 100. It is not recorded, but it may be that the new church was too proud or too satisfied with their first fruits, for the next two or three years were lean ones. The year 1895, was one of trials and testings, discouragements and difficulties. Many members moved away, but the remaining ones had an abiding hope for brighter days and a stronger church for God. During the year 1896, the membership continued to decrease by removals and by deaths. God, in His wisdom, seemed to prune the young church as He had pruned the armies of Gideon. The report to the Association this year is interesting, not a long one but full of meaning. The church was in a healthier condition than during the previous year. "The present membership is faithful and united." Those seven significant words from the church letter should be repeated. "THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP IS FAITHFUL AND UNITED." After a still further decrease in membership, the church was ready to bear fruit once more. Not satisfied with any previous records, the workers in Bible School showed an increased desire to win souls and soul-winning methods were stressed in the weekly prayer meetings. A goodly number of young folk became interested in the church. The pastor's home at 12th and Emerson was a large house and it was often used as a place of meeting and social activities. Both the pastor and his wife were popular with the young folk and worked a great deal with them. Perhaps here was laid the foundation for a church friendly and helpful to young people. At the turn of the century Rev. Walker resigned because of failing health, but the church was moving forward and all departments were in good condition when evangelist A. D. Carpenter was called as pastor. He had been filling the pulpit for some time while Rev. Walker was trying to regain his health in California. Rev. Carpenter moved onward with the church. Both were of one accord "Do all to the glory of God." Of this period of the church history, he writes in part:
"We are looking forward with renewed faith to the commencement of the new church building during the coming year. We had hoped that the building could be started this year, but a further study of the plans disclosed the fact that a larger amount would be needed for the first unit than was anticipated. The cost of the entire building, however, will be lower and we can well afford to wait awhile until the pledges reach the required sum."