Central City in Gilpin County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Saint James Methodist Church

St Jame Methodist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, July 20, 2026

1. St Jame Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. This Church one of the earliest in Colorado was organized July 10-11, 1859, by two missionaries, Rev. William H. Goode and Rev. Jacob Adriance. Rev. George W. Fisher, a wagonmaker and lay preacher, was the first first resident pastor. For a while services where held in the home of "Aunt" Clara Brown, a former slave. This building was begun in 1864, during the pastorate of Rev. Bethuel T. Vincent, editor and prublisher of the "Rocky Mountain Sunday School Casket", the first magazine in Colorado: but it was not completed and dedicated until 1872

Erected by Colorado Methodist Historical Society. (Marker Number 183.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1859.

Location. 39° 48.09′ N, 105° 30.814′ W. Marker is in Central City, Colorado, in Gilpin County. It is on Eureka Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 Eureka Street, Central

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City CO 80427, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies. It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: This Historic Opera House (a few steps from this marker); Central City (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Telephone in Central City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rose Haydee Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); St Mary's Catholic Church (about 600 feet away); The Ignatz Meyer Building (about 600 feet away); The AOUW Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Central City.

Also see . . . Colorado's oldest Protestant congregation celebrates 165 years of worship.

It was 1859, and gold had just been discovered in what would become Clear Creek County. The population of Central City ballooned to 7,500 as prospectors
Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, July 20, 2026

2. Saint James Methodist Church
and others looking to make their fortunes off of the miners flocked to the mountain community. Among them was Clara Brown, known locally as "Aunt Clara."

(Submitted on July 21, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.