About Us

Father Dyer United Methodist Church is located in historic Breckenridge, Colorado, overlooking the Breckenridge Ski Resort. Our congregation is diverse and growing as we are blessed with a congregation of many talents and treasures. Our mission is to serve others through meaningful worship, education and fellowship and to respond to community needs. Combining our mission and resources, we are blessed with many meaningful ministries. We hope to see you at one of our services, classes, or outreach activities soon.

History:

After working as a farmer and miner in Wisconsin and Minnesota, John Lewis Dyer answered the call to ministry in middle age. He journeyed to Colorado, walking most of the way, in 1859, to fulfill a life-long desire to see Pikes Peak. He was appointed an itinerate preacher to the mining camps in what are now Lake, Summit, and Park counties.

Dyer, a humble Methodist preacher, purchased property in Breckenridge adjacent to the county courthouse on French Street, and at his own expense, began to build a chapel. The chapel was 50 feet by 25 feet, with a 16-foot high ceiling. On August 22, 1880, at the young age of 68, he conducted the very first service to ever be held in a church on the western slope. John Dyer retired after the dedication service (only to return to service again from 1885 – 87 as interim minister). He was first called “Father Dyer” lovingly in 1868 at a Sunday school meeting at Denver’s Lawrence Street Church.

The part of the current structure in which the pews are located is the shell of the original chapel. Over the years, there have been several transformations to Father Dyer Church. In the summer of 1890 a bell and belfry were added, only to be dynamited in 1891 (rebel miners retaliated against fiery preacher Rev. Florida Passmore for demanding the sheriff to close saloons on Sundays). The pulpit and communion rails were added in 1915. Round back chairs replaced by pews in 1916. The high back pastor’s chair is a memorial to young victims of a diphtheria epidemic and has been in the church since the early 1900s.

In 1965, Rev. Mark Fiester undertook a program of restoration and renovation to the church. The altar and baptismal font were built in 1967 to match the older pulpit and communion rail. In 1977 the building was moved from its original site next to the county courthouse to its present location on Wellington Road, and the additions were completed at that time.

While Rev. Sandra Stephens and Rev. Bryan Austill were ministers at Father Dyer Church a second renovation project was started in 2002 and completed in 2003.

Father Dyer was named one of the 16 founders of the state of Colorado, and his likeness is rendered in a stained glass with the other founders in the state capital dome.