A brief history & Update on PArish Status
In 2025, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church held its final Worship Service after 120 years of faithful ministry in Manitou Springs.
The Episcopal community has played an important role in the development of Manitou Springs since 1874, with the first church members holding meetings in a tent with sermons given by Reverend J.F. Walker of Grace Episcopal Church in neighboring Colorado Springs. Early Manitou Springs Episcopalians garnered the support of prestigious community members such and the Bell and Nichols families. Some of the initial Episcopalian worship services were held in the Bell’s personal residence, Briarhurst, when weather prohibited tent meetings. The St. Andrew’s Mission was formally organized in 1877, and in that same year, William Bell donated a lot in the center of Manitou Springs for the erection of the Episcopal church. Fundraising for the building began immediately, though by 1880, the congregants had raised only enough money for the erection of a temporary wooden structure on the site donated by Bell.
To allow for the construction of a permanent stone church, in 1884 the original wooden church building was relocated across Canon Avenue, where it stands today. The economic downturn of the 1890’s hindered the economic growth of Manitou Springs, and the $15,000 fundraising effort for the new building was not complete until 1904. The Bell family contributed $6,000 to the construction fund, with the stipulation that the remainder be raised by the congregation. When construction finally began, the cornerstone for the new church was relocated from the original building, then was re-laid for (then Bishop) John Franklin Spaulding on January 10, 1905.
Since 1905 numerous faithful clergy, lay leaders, and parishioners have served St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the people of Manitou Springs. We are grateful for their leadership and dedication to serving God and one another.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church was part of The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado https://episcopalcolorado.org.