The United Church of Idaho Springs, Colorado has been around for quite a long time – since 1883 to be exact. We still worship in the room that was built by the Presbyterian congregation that was in Idaho Springs during the gold rush! Many changes have occurred since then, but the church is still a place dedicated to serving God and our community. We like to believe that we are dispensers of grace, the good news and the gospel. It is lived and proclaimed in a non-judgmental way that respects the beliefs of those who differ from us. We hope you will come and check us out.
The church was founded by Rev. Sheldon Jackson, a recent graduate of Princeton Seminary who traveled west on the trans-continental railroad. The history of the church includes the Methodist denomination as well. Jackson was a Presbyterian. The two groups joined in the ‘60’s as declining attendance made it difficult for two congregations to support a pastor full-time. Thus the United Church of Idaho Springs was born, a merger of the United Presbyterian congregation and the United Methodist congregation. While the church still maintains a relationship with both denominations, we would really consider ourselves very much non-denominational.
Who We Are
“In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.”
Our church is served by an elected group of people known as the Church Council. They meet monthly to oversee the affairs of the church.
All Scripture is self-attesting and being Truth, requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God’s redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks. On this sure foundation we affirm these Essentials:
- We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and praise forever!
- Jesus Christ, the living Word, became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Mediator.
- The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Indwelling our hearts, He gives new life to us, empowers and imparts gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption.
- Being estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God’s free grace. God credits His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thereby justifies them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life.
- The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the sacraments are administered in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting, she awaits the return of her Lord.
- Jesus Christ will come again to the earth—personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
- The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to “Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.” He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Hear from our church members!
Gail C.
This church was my church from the time I was four or five years old until I graduated from college and left Colorado to teach in California. When my husband and I retired, we moved back to Idaho Springs. Since I am a church going Christian, it was natural for me to return to the church I grew up in. The congregation is friendly and most make me feel welcome.
Jane K.
I'm a new member, only three years. I love this church because Pastor Bill gives a terrific sermon! I always feel like he's speaking directly to me! That's the sign of a great speaker. He's been inspirational and encouraging and it keeps me coming every Sunday. I've not experienced this anywhere else. It took a Methodist/Presbyterian church, with Protestant, Catholic and Jewish members and a Baptist pastor to bring us here, in the United Church. Pastor Bill is teaching us, coaching us, to all follow the Light! I'm grateful!
Carolyn K.
I love UCIS because I always feel welcome there. When I attend service, I am greeted with warm smiles and I feel included, like I belong there and like people care about me.
