A Short History

Beginning in 1991, a regional group of Episcopalians living between Parachute and Silt, Colorado began gathering in various places for worship such as homes, a vacant fire hall and the Roman Catholic church in Rifle, Colorado.   

Parachute residents first services were held in private homes in 1995 and then at the Christian Church in Parachute.  This small group was served, as was St. John’s New Castle, by the rector of St. Barnabas in Glenwood Springs.  From 1998, the small congregation was served by part-time priests Fr.Tom White followed by Fr. Bruce Moncrieff.

When the congregation grew to 26 families, they conducted a Building Campaign to fund the construction of a church in Battlement Mesa.  The first step was the acquisition of a 4 acre site on Sipprelle Drive purchased in 1999.

A flexible builder allowed significant sweat equity from this older congregation to off-set some building costs and the Church building was completed in the spring of 2005.   By the time the parking lot was created, all associated debt for the building was retired, and the first service was held in new sanctuary May 15, 2005. It was consecrated Oct 26 of that year.

In 2007 the “Bridge to the Future” Capital Campaign raised sufficient funds to compensate a full-time priest, and Fr. E.J. Rivet conducted his first service on Sept 2, 2007.

The Grand Valley Mission Partnership of St. John’s, New Castle and All Saints’ Battlement Mesa was formed in 2009 with Fr Rivet as its first Vicar, serving both churches.