First Baptist Church of Evergreen was established under the direction of Dr. S. W. Driggers on August 5, 1956 with just seven members. On August 18, 1956 J.K. Phillips was called as pastor. Meetings were held in Ebenezer in the Pines, a retreat complex north of downtown Evergreen which was purchased from Swedish Lutherans. Phillips left in the summer of 1957 and Jack Hamm served as interim pastor. Carol H. Peaden accepted a call and served for about six months. Floyd Littlepage, a lay pastor, led the small flock until March of 1959, when J.K. Phillips returned.
Jack Hamm of Waco, Texas, raised some support among his friends in Texas and the property on Colorado 74, now Evergreen Parkway, was purchased. This is now the site of the Evergreen Post Office.
Norman Blake became pastor in November, 1965. A three bedroom apartment was then added to the building to serve as a parsonage. A basement kitchen, fellowship hall and two classrooms were also added to meet the needs of the growing church. The church continued to grow until it passed 100 members. Blake resigned in 1970 to accept a call from a church in Colorado Springs.
In June, 1976, Charles R. Burgett was called as pastor. A church renewal program and small group ministries added new vitality, and more deacons were ordained to serve the growing congregation. Fellowship night was held at the then new Evergreen Junior High, where volleyball and family time merged with Christian teaching. The church was getting crowded. In 1978, a site on Stagecoach Boulevard seemed a likely place to move to, but the financing for that property and the offer from the Post Office did not go well. It was not yet God’s time to move.
In 1980, the United States Post Office made a better offer, and the church acquired 31 acres on Troutdale Scenic Drive. This was 10 times larger than the Stagecoach site. In July 1981, the total membership had grown to 222. After prayer and studying the financial options, the congregation voted to finance the completion of construction on the new site by pledging over $500,000 over three years to the Building for Tomorrow program. This saved over $1,000,000 in interest and included sweat equity to be contributed by members of the church. Elmo Blackwell, a church member, prepared the design for the remodeled building. The old building was cut in two and moved, each wing separately, to the new site. The foyer was new construction, and joined the two wings. A full lower level was created for more office and Sunday School rooms, and a library. Two services on Sunday, and special meetings would have more room. In the meantime, the church met in the County Building on County Road 73, where the Evergreen Library is located. The old junior high gymnasium was the auditorium, and folding chairs were put up and taken down each week.
After over a year in temporary quarters, the new church was occupied in September, 1981. Charles Burgett resigned in March, 1984 after almost eight years of service to accept a call from a church in his native Kentucky. Woody Northcutt became interim pastor. The building and grounds were paid off in 1985.
Graham Lyons became pastor in June, 1984. He resigned in July, 1986 and Ron Martin came in January, 1988. He served for one year and then Woody Northcutt served as pastor from the spring of 1989 until December, 1990. Rudy Antle served as interim pastor until Richard Peterson was called in July of 1991.
Peterson was a native Coloradan, graduate of the University of Colorado and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and had served in churches in Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. He ushered in a new era of growth, and under his leadership the outdoor athletic courts and kiddy playground were added and the driveway and parking lots were paved. A new parsonage was built behind the church for his family. In August, 1999 Peterson accepted a call to University Hills Baptist Church. Woody Northcutt became interim pastor.
On February 27, 2000, Karl Shackelford was called and began serve as pastor April 1, 2000. During his tenure, evangelistic outreach to the community was made the primary objective and purpose of the church. A long-range planning committee was set up to begin work on the future expansion of the church and facilities. In the summer of 2001, the outdoor worship amphitheater was completed and services were held there beginning July 1, 2001.
On October 3, 2006, Pastor Karl Shackelford resigned as the pastor of FBCE. Dr. Fred Meeks, retired from Wayland Baptist University, accepted an interim pastor ship in early 2007.
On April 1, 2008, Drew Stephens from Riverside Baptist church in Denver was called to serve as Pastor. The church has a new spirit of growth and commitment to building the Kingdom of God by Loving God, Loving Others, Following Christ and Changing Our World one persona at a time. The church has renewed its commitment to local and international missions. To help facilitate growth, a Saturday night service was birthed in 2011. A permanent Outdoor Worship Facility was constructed in 2011. A new Multi-Purpose building was erected in early 2012. The church began an intentional process for multiplying Disciples and small groups. The Worship Ministry has grown to include 4 different bands and a choir and it regularly sends out teams to assist other churches and ministries with worship. Plans are in the preparation stage for becoming a church planting church with a focus on the surrounding mountain communities.
Service Times
Sunday Mornings - 10:15AM (9:00AM - Bible Study for all ages)
Saturday Evenings - 6:00 PM
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Contact Information
29823 Troutdale Scenic Drive
Evergreen, CO 80439
Telephone -- 303-674-3766
Fax -- 303-674-4003
Email -- contactus@fbcevergreen.com
Comments