St. Luke's Time Line

This is an attempt to record and validate the significant things that have happened over the life of St Lukes.  If you have something that should be included or validating information not mentioned, herein, please contact Dave Cupp at 303-791-0184 or send email to Dave Cupp. This is a work in progress.

Event Date and Source

Event

1979

Letter from Harold Raines to Russ Harris, General Board of Global Mission, dated July 29, 1985

Highlands Ranch was undeveloped but was selected as a site for a new United Methodist Church and the Annual Conference approved an amount of $225,000.00 for this site purchase.

Rev Raines wrote: “As you may know, St. Luke’s united Methodist Church of Highlands Ranch, CO, was one of several new congregations projected for the Denver area.  In 1979, the Highlands Ranch area, though as yet undeveloped, was selected as  a site for a new church.  The Annual Conference approved an amount of $225,000 for this site purchase.”

“St. Luke’s in Highlands Ranch was originally envisioned by Russ Brown, Pastor of St. Andrew’s Church in Littleton, CO.   St. Andrews is probably the most vital church in the Rocky Mountain Conference, has a membership of about 1,800 and has an annual budget of nearly $700,000.  It was Russ’s vision and the advance work of the Work Area on Outreach that supported excited interest in starting a new church in Highlands Ranch.”

1980

Metro Districts Messenger

Spring, 2003

Construction of the first phase of Highlands Ranch started

Fall 1980

Letter from Harold Raines to Russ Harris, General Board of Global Mission, dated July 29, 1985

Russ Brown negotiates with Art Cook of Mission Viejo for property

“Russ began negotiating with Art Cook of Mission Viejo in the fall of 1980 to secure property for a United Methodist presence in this new development.  St. Andrews being overcrowded and having developed a desirable faith lifestyle made a community commitment to see that another church was built in the area.  The anticipated cost of the property and of the construction of the first phase seemed overwhelming, if not prohibitive….” 

1981

Metro Districts Messenger

Spring, 2003

First families moved into new homes in Highlands Ranch.  The first family was the Phil and Kaye Scott family, who still live in Highlands Ranch.

September, 1981

Letter from Harold Raines to Russ Harris, General Board of Global Mission, dated July 29, 1985

Harold Raines first Minister appointed to St Lukes.

“My (Harold Raines) appointment to the proposed new church in Highlands Ranch was a rather strange one.  In the (Annual) Conference (of the Rocky Mountain Conference) of 1981, though it seemed highly desirable and expedient to establish a new church in Highlands Ranch, there were no monies to pay a pastor.  Following extensive discussion with my family, we agreed to tighten our belts and to take a special appointment; i.e., to attend school and simultaneously begin developing the new church.  This seemed to be the only acceptable appointment since the Discipline requires that all itinerating appointments are supported by minimum salary.  I was assured of the appointment in July of 1981 while still serving the First United Methodist Church in Steamboat Springs, CO.  At that time my total salary package, plus perks, was approximately $35,000.00 a year.  As you probably know, appointments to attend school are without salary.”

“I contacted a Mt. Ted Gerherty, the executive in charge of commercial sales for Mission Viejo in the Denver office, and reinstituted the negotiations begun by Russ Brown.  We consequently learned that the church site would be very expensive when compared to other new church sites over the preceding ten years.  The most desirable site in the community plats designated for churches in Highlands ranch was a 5.58 acre site located on the main traffic artery, (Broadway) a six lane boulevard that is highly visible, easily accessible and aesthetically landscaped.  Church growth specialists were ecstatic as to the desirability of this particular site.  It was far superior to any church site past or present in the Rocky Mountain Conference in that its features included ease of access and growing community parallel to none.”

“I arrived on the scene and began full time service in September of 1981.  I personally surveyed the church service area to which I have already referred, making approximately 1,700 calls in a two-month period….”

November 22, 1981

Letter from Harold Raines to Russ Harris, General Board of Global Mission, dated July 29, 1985

Promotional Bulletin

Cupp note 2.24.03

First worship service at Powell Junior High School

“…. We organized a fellowship and had the first services of worship on 11-22-81 in Powell Junior High School.  At that time, we had not yet acquired the site described above.”

“The Fellowship began holding worship services at Powell Junior High School in November, 1981….”

I had always understood that the first meetings of the church were in fact cottage meetings in homes on the North side of County Line Rd until the group moved to Powell Junior High School.  However, Betty Dunlap confirmed in a conversation on 2.16.03 that the cottage meetings did not take place that the first official service was at Powell Junior High School.

1981

Letter from Harold Raines to Russ Harris, General Board of Global Mission, dated July 29, 1985

First committed financial support:

     “The first committed financial support came from St Andrew in the amount of $2,500.00 for 1981.  The First United Methodist Church in Casper also committed to $1,200.00 for pastoral support.  Until January of 1982, there were no moni4es available for pastoral support from the rocky Mountain Conference.

      To abbreviate the story, it appeared from the beginning that the task of acquiring this desirable church site was impossible.  The fully developed site in the Highlands Ranch area would cost $500,000.00, the first phase of our building program wo7uld cost more than $300,000.00, and there were little or no monies available from the (Rocky Mountain) Conference for such development.  The capital Funds Campaign for NCD-R was a dismal failure.  The (Rocky Mountain) Conference raised only a million dollars of a four million dollar projection for new church development.  It appeared that St. Luke’s was just a dream which was rapidly turning into a nightmare.  Trinity church downtown (Denver) had a $2,000,000.00 trust fund to which we applied for monies to purchase a site, only to be told that the investment was far too shaky.  Concomitantly 36 other denomination entities were competing for the site.

      The (Rocky Mountain) Conference Board of Trustees advanced a total of $32,500.00 in order to obtain an option on the site, buying the congregation time to uncover other funding resources.  When it appeared that all was lost, St. Andrew through their Administrative Council and under the inspired leadership of  (Rev) Russ Brown, (Minister), unanimously agreed to delay, if not forego entirely, their own church site and the first building phase.  Park Hill United Methodist Church (Denver) under the leadership of (Rev) Jim Calhoun, (Minister), together with St. Andrew agreed to underwrite an $800,000.00 bond issue for the aforestated purposes.”

     “… We had a bond sale from June to December of 1983 and acquired a loan commitment from the IntraWest Bank of Southglenn, (Littleton, CO) completely underwritten and secured by St. Andrew, which together raised the funds necessary for our first mortgage bonds….”  “With these funds, we were able to purchase this desirable site on August 4 of 1983 and began construction of the first phase in September of 1984.”

     “Moreover, as I told you the other day, we will be facing another financial crisis in about a year when St. Andrew’s support of more than $60,000.00 a year will come to a conclusion.  Park Hill’s annual commitment of $27,000.00 will be continued indefinitely until the church achieves financial independence.”

1982

Metro Districts Messenger

Spring, 2003

Northridge Park, the Northridge Recreation Center and Northridge Elementary opened.

September 12, 1982

Promotional Bulletin

First Service at Northridge Elementary School

“On September 12, 1982, the Fellowship began holding services at Northridge Elementary School in Highlands Ranch near the future church site.”

March 13, 1983

Letter from Harold Raines to Russ Harris, General Board of Global Mission, dated July 29, 1985

Promotional Bulletin

Bulletin for Charter Service

St. Luke’s Chartered

     “… St. Luke’s was chartered as a bona fide United Methodist Church on March 13, 1983, with 76 families on board as chartered members.”

     ‘St Luke’s United Methodist Church was duly organized and chartered on March 13, 1983 at 7:30 p.m. at ceremonies in St Andrew United Methodist Church.  Nearly 200 persons attended this joyous occasion, and 76 families were included in the membership and constituency.

     St. Luke’s began as the Highlands Ranch Fellowship sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conference’s task force in New Church Development….”

Identified the following:

Rev Jim Keesey, District Superintendent, Denver South District

Rev Russ Brown, St. Andrew united Methodist Church

Rev Jim Calhoun, Park Hill United Methodist Church

Nancy Mead, Associate, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Rev Harold Raines, Pastor, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Kippy Ware, Organist, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Kathy Markum, Choir Director, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

March 27, 1983

Dorothy’s Scrapbook

First Newsletter

Organizational meeting of UMW

Invitation to attend organizational meeting at Betty Dunlap’s at 7:30 p.m.

“The organizational meeting of St. Luke’s United Methodist Women was held on April 27 at the home of Betty Dunlap.  Mary Clark reports that much was accomplished in informing members of the structure of the organization and in securing membership for the coming year.  Nominations were established for new officers as follows:

     President:  Mary Clark

     Vice President:  Susan Wilson

     Secretary:  Joel LaChance

     Treasurer:  Elaine Ganong

Voting on the slate of officers will be at the next UMW meeting May 18, (1983), in Susan Wilson’s home….”

July 29, 1984

Ground Breaking Service Bulletin

Ground Breaking Service for new building

1985

Metro Districts Messenger

Spring, 2003

C-470 opened and the Northridge Recreation Center is expanded.

March 10, 1985

Dorothy’s Scrapbook

Last Service at Northridge Elementary School

Sticky note indicating the pictures on the page were from the last service at Northridge on march 10, 1985.

March 21, 1985

Dorothy’s Scrapbook

First Choir Rehearsal in new building

Sticky note indicating pictures on the page were from the first choir rehearsal in the new building on March 21, 1985.

April 4, 1985

Dorothy’s Scrapbook

First Maunday Thursday Service in new building

Sticky note indicating photos on page from first Maunday Thursday service.  (Pictures showed Harold Raines performing the foot washing service.)

April 7, 1985

Church Bulletin

First Easter Service in new building

Indicates first Easter Service

April 21, 1985

Church Bulletin, April 21, 1985

Consecration Service for new building

March 17, 1995

1985-86 Church Pictorial Directory

Dorothy’s Scrapbook

First worship service in first building at 8817 S Broadway

Church Bulletin for March 17, 1985 indicating first service in new building.

April 29, 1983 (postmark date)

Church Newsleter postmarked Apr 29, 1983

1993 Church Pictorial Directory

First Church Symbol

“St Luke’s is now represented by a symbol thanks to Patsy and Jim Van de Grift and Linda and Bill Newell.  The inspiration for the conception of this symbol was derived from the message shared at the chartering service.  Traditionally, St. Luke is represented by a winged ox; in our version shown above (in the newsletter) , a circle represents the face and a half circle above represents the horns.  The addition of a vertical bar transforms this into a cross.  Further meaning is also inherent in the circle of unity or eternity and the uplifted arms of the cross reaching to god.”

Rev Selby writes about the first distinctive logo that was designed by Liz Johnson, a local artist.   Bill writes:  “She was attending St Luke’s and during one of our many discussions about church in general and our church in particular I asked her to design a logo.  She designed, what I believe, is the perfect logo for us.  It symbolizes the unique combination of the traditional and the contemporary that is found at St. Luke’s.

      The Cross and Flame are the symbol of the United Methodist Church.  They represent a church, a history, and a tradition for which we can be proud.  The unique setting on which the cross and flame are set is the mountains we have as a background to our church each day.  They symbolize the contemporary setting in which we worship.  The name of St. Luke’s integrates them just as our program and ministry integrates the contemporary and traditional.  Every Sunday our worship reflects this unique integration, the tradition of age old prayers or hymns comfortably nestled next to a contemporary song of the day or a new or unusual creative expression experience.

April 21, 1985

1990 Church Pictorial Directory

Dedication  (consecration)of the new building at 8817 S Broadway.

July 1984

1990 Church Pictorial Directory

Ground breaking for the new building at 8817 S Broadway.

Promotional Bulletin

Harold Raines Biography

“Harold Raines has had wide experience in the United Methodist Church as a pastor, preacher, and an organizer of new church development.  A native of Savannah, Georgia, he was educated at Florida State University (AB), Emory University (BD), Perkins School of Theology, Illiff School of Theology (graduate work), and at the San Francisco School of Theology (candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree). He served churches in Georgia before becoming one of the ministers at the First United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas.

During pastorates at Albany, Claxton, Georgia and First Dallas, he accepted more than 200 preaching missions, by invitations to local churches, colleges, and cam meetings.

Developing new churches is his first love.  St. Luke’s is the third such experience, preceded by Evergreen, Colorado United Methodist Church, 1971-1976, and Avalon United Methodist Church in Albany, Georgia, 1952-1958.  He believes new church development to be the most urgent mission of the church today.”

April 29, 1983 (Postmark Date)

First newsletter was mailed to members and constituents

March 16, 1983

Church Bulletin, Mar 13, 1983

Choir rehearsal

Choir rehearsal was to be held at St Andrew’s

United Methodist Men

Dorothy’s Scrapbook

United Methodist Men

Undated picture (probably 1983) showing meeting at Harvey Ganong’s home.  Attending:  Dave Cupp, Ted Dykstra, Carroll Wilson, Harvey Ganong, Scott Goodman, Cliff Clark and Denny Clinton

1995

Completion of Phase 2: Narthex and lower level classrooms

St Lukes Ministers

St Lukes Associate Ministers

Date and Source

Name

Date and Source

Name

1985-86 Pictorial Directory

Harold Raines

April 21, 1985, Church Bulletin

1985-86 Pictorial Directory

Jane Keener

Mike Bergman

1988 Pictorial Directory

William P. (Bill) Selby

1988 Pictorial Directory

Susan Twidwell

1990 Pictorial Directory

William P. (Bill) Selby

1990 Pictorial Directory

Tom Dudley

Cynthia Toner

1991 Directory

William P. (Bill) Selby

1991 Directory

Tom Dudley

Cynthia Toner

1993 Pictorial Directory

William P. (Bill) Selby

1995 Pictorial Directory

William P. (Bill) Selby

1995 Pictorial Directory

Richard Evans

Les Ludlam (Lay Pastor)

1998 Pictorial Directory

Richard Evans

1998 Pictorial Directory

Ester Cho

Yvonna Pardus (Student Intern)

1999 Directory

Richard Evans

2000 Pictorial Directory

Richard Evans

2000 Pictorial Directory

Ester Miyahara-Cho

St Lukes Choir Directors

Accompanist

Date and Source

Name

1984 Dorothy Scrapbook

Bill Fethke

1984 Christmas Eave Program

Sam Bruton

Feb 17, 1985 Church Bulletin

Rebecca Wunderlich

1988 Pictorial Directory

Bill Fethke

1988 Pictorial Directory

Carrie Cochran

1990 Pictorial Directory

Bill Fethke

1990 Pictorial Directory

Carrie Cochran

1991 Directory

Bill Fethke

1991 Directory

Carrie Cochran

1993 Pictorial Directory

Stephen Guyer

1993 Pictorial Directory

Carrie Cochran

1995 Pictorial Directory

Stephen Guyer

1995 Pictorial Directory

Carrie Cochran

1998 Pictorial Directory

Stephen Guyer

1998 Pictorial Directory

Carrie Mallery

2000 Pictorial Directory

Jim Ramsey

2000 Pictorial Directory

Carrie Mallery

St Lukes Lay Leaders

Date and Source

Name

1990 Pictorial Directory

Fred Thompson

1991 Directory