After
working as a farmer and miner in Wisconsin and
Minnesota,
John Lewis Dyer answered the call to ministry in middle age. He journeyed to Colorado, walking most of the way, in 1859, to fulfill a
life-long desire to see Pikes Peak. He was
appointed an itinerate preacher to the mining camps in what are now Lake, Summit, and Park
counties.
Dyer, a humble Methodist preacher, purchased property in Breckenridge adjacent
to the County Courthouse on French Street, and at his own expense,
began to build a chapel. The chapel was 50 feet by 25 feet, with a 16 feet high
ceiling. On August 22, 1880, at the young age of 68, he conducted the very
first service to ever be held in a church on the western slope. John Dyer
retired after the dedication service (only to return to service again from
1885-87 as interim minister). He was first called "Father Dyer"
lovingly in 1868 at a Sunday School meeting at Denver's
Lawrence Street Church.
The part of the current structure in which the pews are located is the shell of
the original chapel. Over the years, there have been several transformations to
Father Dyer Church.
In the summer of 1890 a bell and belfry were added, only to be dynamited in
1891 (rebel miners retaliated against fiery preacher Rev. Florida Passmore for
demanding the sheriff to close saloons on Sundays). The pulpit and communion
rails were added in 1915. Round back chairs were replaced by pews in 1916. The
high back pastor's chair is a memorial to young victims of a diphtheria
epidemic and has been in the church since the early 1900s.
In 1965, Rev. Mark Fiester undertook a program of restoration and renovation to
the church. The altar and baptismal font were built in 1967 to match the older
pulpit and communion rail. In 1977 the building was moved from its original
site next to the county courthouse to its present location on Wellington Road,
and the additions were completed at that time.
While Rev. Sandra Stephens and Rev. Bryan Austill were ministers at Father Dyer
Church, a second
renovation project was started in 2002 and completed in 2003.
Father Dyer was named one of the 16 founders of the state of Colorado, and his likeness is rendered in
stained glass with the other founders in the state capitol dome.
CHRONOLOGY
1861 - John Lewis Dyer, an itinerant
Methodist preacher and "circuit rider," began preaching in South Park
mining camps.
1862 - John L. Dyer assigned to the Blue Mission Mission.
1868 - John L. Dyer was lovingly called "Father Dyer" at a Sunday
School meeting at Denver's Lawrence Street
Church and the endearment
took.
1879 - Father Dyer appointed to Summit County Circuit, an area so large it has
since been divided into seven counties.
1880 - Father Dyer began construction on this church on French Street. He retired from this last
preaching appointment after the August 22nd dedication service.
1885-87- Father Dyer serves as an interim minister.
1889-94- Rev. Florida Passmore created controversy and demanded the sheriff
enforce the Colorado Saloon Law and closed the saloons on Sundays. Those
affected retaliated by blowing up the church bell and belfry.
1899- Father Dyer's last preaching visit.
1900- Father Dyer recognized as one of the 16 Founders of the State of Colorado.
1901- Father Dyer died at age 89.
1965-72- Rev. Mark Fiester renovates and restores church.
1977- Church moved to present site
1979- New stained glass windows dedicated.
2003- Sanctuary renovations completed