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EVERGREENCHRISTIANCHURCH
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Who We Are
    • Core Values
    • Leadership
    • Community Partners
    • History & Building
  • Calendar
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History and Building Design of Evergreen Christian Church

Picture
The Sanctuary &  Chancel

The sanctuary is the place of congregational worship. The free-standing  pews offer opportunity for a variety of  configurations in the  worshiping space: the traditional facing of the chancel with pulpit,  reading lectern and communion table (the sacraments of word and  communion are celebrated each Sunday in the Disciples of Christ); in a  circle  around the communion table in the center of the sanctuary; facing  the choir and
organ lofts for liturgies of music (the choir loft is at  the rear of the  sanctuary enabling the choir to help lead the  congregation in worship without a  sense of performance.    The communion table has been built out of pieces of  wood brought from  the homes and histories of the members of the church  signifying that  Christs' table is our family table. Behind the communion table  is the rererdos on which is manifested the  St. Andrews cross while the  traditional cross is at the apex of the  chancel. This is a reminder that we  take up our crosses under the cross  of Christ.Our congregation was organized in the early 1920's as a community  Christian church. In 1920 it moved into the old white framed school house on Highway 73 near Little Cub Creek (now located near the  Evergreen Fire Station). We occupied that building until 1962 when we  moved into a new church building, built by members, in our current  location on Iris Drive. ​

The  Concept 

The congregation desired to build a sacred  space to host the holy in a  context of secularism, consumerism and  dehumanization. It desired to  build a visual prayer, putting into stone, concrete, steel, glass,  stucco and wood its theology and mission. The building  itself was  conceived as a sacramental sign to help people come into the holy  presence of God. It was built as a gift to the people of Evergreen and a  doxology to God.  
​

The new building was designed to be a teaching tool,  much as were the  old cathedrals. The cathedral architecture and iconography  which  depicted biblical stories, Christian themes, and the spiritual longings  of the people in mosaics, frescos, paintings and statuary, were used as  an environment of learning, story telling, and theological insight. The  architecture and iconography of this new church depicts the theology and  mission of the congregation, offering an alternative story of keeping  the  secular world open for God. The design essentially says, The  holiness of God remains wrapped in a divine mystery beyond the human  desire to domesticate God, and yet is revealed to us as a God who lives  among us in loving embrace,  inviting us to affirm and welcome all people  in the sacredness and warmth of an  intimate community of faith.  
The basic design of the new sanctuary is one of  breaking open and  lifting up freedom from the principalities and powers that  would bury,  captivate or seduce us. Using the St. Andrews cross (the symbol of  the  Disciples of Christ), the roof line is broken open to reveal clerestory  windows at the height of the sanctuary, letting in the light of God. The   structural integrity of the church, theologically speaking, is the  cross this  is reflected architecturally in the use of the St. Andrews  cross in the trusses  which form the structural integrity of this  building; the cement foundation is  a reminder of our building on the  2000 year history of Christian faith; the black metal work represents  both historic and contemporary disciples who  simultaneously support the  church and are sheltered by the church. The colors  through the facility  are earth tones, reminding us of the earthiness of the  Jewish/Christian  faith and our own call to the care of creation.  
​ 
The  Design

The basic design of the new sanctuary is one of  breaking open and  lifting up freedom from the principalities and powers that  would bury,  captivate or seduce us. Using the St. Andrews cross (the symbol of  the  Disciples of Christ), the roof line is broken open to reveal clerestory  windows at the height of the sanctuary, letting in the light of God. The   structural integrity of the church, theologically speaking, is the  cross this  is reflected architecturally in the use of the St. Andrews  cross in the trusses  which form the structural integrity of this  building; the cement foundation is  a reminder of our building on the  2000 year history of Christian faith; the black metal work represents  both historic and contemporary disciples who  simultaneously support the  church and are sheltered by the church. The colors  through the facility  are earth tones, reminding us of the earthiness of the  Jewish/Christian  faith and our own call to the care of creation.  
 ​
The  Narthex 

The narthex is the entry way into the church,  a place of welcome and  greeting. In the middle of the narthex is the  deck-covered baptistery,  placed here because baptism is the sacrament of entry into the church.  Drawing on our rural heritage when church members accompanied  those to  be baptized to the river, we will leave the sanctuary to supportively  gather around those to be baptized, thus being active participants in  the  liturgy of baptism rather than passive observers. Note the baptismal hymn placed  above the fountain and near the carving  of the apostle Andrew fisherman,  evangelist, missionary, apostle. Note  also the Candle of Hope on the wall opposite the entry, burning as a  reminder of all who suffer oppression and that  our baptismal identity is  in solidarity with the Christ who suffers with and in  them. Above the baptistery is the window for light from above, framed by the  different shapes of iron work. These cylinders represent the diversity  among us  as individual Christians who are yet made one in the one  baptism into Christ.  The disciples are both under the cross and support  the cross as it is lifted high into the world in which the church is  planted. The inclined cross above  the church reminds us that the cross  is a sign of humility rather than  triumphalism, a symbol of suffering  rather than a conquering flagpole. It also  reminds us that Jesus was  bent under its burden as he carried it to Golgotha. 
​
Picture
The Sanctuary &  Chancel

The sanctuary is the place of congregational worship. The free-standing  pews offer opportunity for a variety of  configurations in the  worshiping space: the traditional facing of the chancel with pulpit,  reading lectern and communion table (the sacraments of word and  communion are celebrated each Sunday in the Disciples of Christ); in a  circle  around the communion table in the center of the sanctuary; facing  the choir and
organ lofts for liturgies of music (the choir loft is at  the rear of the  sanctuary enabling the choir to help lead the  congregation in worship without a  sense of performance.    The communion table has been built out of pieces of  wood brought from  the homes and histories of the members of the church  signifying that  Christs' table is our family table. Behind the communion table  is the rererdos on which is manifested the  St. Andrews cross while the  traditional cross is at the apex of the  chancel. This is a reminder that we  take up our crosses under the cross  of Christ.
​

The Commons and Care Center 

The upper  part of our older building has been remodeled into our commons  area for fellowship, hospitality, puppet ministry and general meetings.  We celebrate  here our common life together, moving from the communion  table to the common  table. Table fellowship in which the stranger is  welcomed (hospitality, in the  Greek testament, literally means love of  the stranger), is central to Christian  community. The lower level is now our Care Center: Counseling, Administration  and  Religious Education. Here the Christian story, which has been celebrated  in worship, is now learned in education, shared in counseling, and  administered  in service.

This sacred space, built in the heart of Evergreen, is here  for you. We  invite you to join us in the journey of faith. May this place  indeed be a  house of God for the people of God, into which light flows and from   which light is taken into Gods' world.
​
Abstract Expressionism  

A few words are appropriate concerning the art of abstract  expressionism  in a sanctuary designed to host the holy. The way we see is  affected by  what we believe; likewise, what we believe affects how and what we  see.  Our seeing always comes before words and remains after words. Seeing in  the spiritual life is through the eye of faith. This window invites the   worshiping community to expand its horizons of seeing beyond objective   representations in a universe of discourse where "the eye cannot see and  the  mouth cannot tell" all holy mysteries.

Art helps us to situate  ourselves in our world and induces more than  rational meaning. It infuses passion and thought, thus inducing feelings  and insights (not simply  information), combining memory and hope,  touching experience, reshaping our  world, creating longing, raising  questions and firing our imaginations. What is  absent is held in  presence; what has been hints of what is yet to come; what is  seen gives  way before that which beckons us toward renewed and redeemed seeing.   This is a fitting medium for a memorial window for we not only look at  the  window and remember, we look through the window beyond the  constraints of our  mortal eyes. We hope.

Sister Wendy Beckett, a contemplative nun and art  historian in the  Carmelite monastery in Norfolk, England says that art is a  means of  freedom. It helps us to move out of our personal anxieties and   disappointments into the vast world. We must look, as opposed to just  seeing. It takes time and concentration but is most richly rewarded.  Truly to look remains ones personal responsibility, and nobody elses'  response can be a  substitute. With that warning and insight in mind, it  is still perhaps  appropriate to risk a few pastoral reflections on this  piece of art adorning our sanctuary.

Engaging The Windows Visions   

The  commotion of this picture engages us in the confusion and movement  of our world and sets us in the vast world of the universe and beyond.  Its rainbow colors  and varied shapes bespeak the great diversity of the  creating and creator God,  a diversity of which we are all a part. Yet  there is a centering focus in light  which connects and touches all  realities and beckons us beyond known realities,  inviting us into  infinite eternity.

The lower right quadrant calls our  minds to human creativity, the  building of the human city, the human offering  of our work as those  called to be co-creators with God. Incarnation is hinted at, as the  light at the center of the universe infuses the "cornerstone" and  the  Greek chi rho (the symbol of Christ), who is the true human being and   companion at our table in our journey.

The lower left quadrant bespeaks  of plain and mountain, of nature and environment, the very artwork of God.  
 
The two upper quadrants depict the mysteries of the universe, calling  to  mind that we not only live in time and space, but beyond time and space  in  the eternal love of God.

The center of the window reveals the all  encompassing light and love of  God. This light touches every aspect of our  diverse universe reminding  us that "relationship" is at the very heart of the
gospel. 

Time and eternity, inner and outer space, nature and grace,  freedom and interdependence emanate from the window. 

The Trinitarian  nature of God, Gods' own interrelatedness, and the  interrelatedness of God with all the world (which is the first object of  Gods' love - John 3:16) are  powerfully imaged in the light of the sun.  The sun penetrates and fills the  Christic symbol of the chi rho  cornerstone, affirming Christian particularity  in Gods' universal love.  The blue free flowing streamer, representing the Holy  Spirit, touches  and connects all reality.  These reflections are simply a  beginning  point for your own seeing. May Gods' light come in and go out from  this  sacred space.
Picture
The Memorial Stained Glass Window 

Cornerstone is the title given to the Memorial Stained Glass Window   which hovers above the altar and behind the reredos in the  Evergreen   Christian Church Sanctuary. It was designed by ECC member and artist George Meyer and created and executed by him and Mark and Christina  Gillespie. It is a gift given by and to the congregation in memory of   those  members of this church, young and old, who have died in the faith   of Christ and entered into the final and glorious mystery of Gods'  love,  grace and
presence. 


This window is based upon the following theological and philosophical insights. 
  1. It reflects the mystery of our faith, which is ultimately beyond words, thus inviting symbolic artistic expression to fire our imaginations.
  2. Its art of abstract expressionism compliments the contemporary architecture of our sanctuary.
  3. Its postmodernist perspective fits the complex nature of the culture in which our mission takes place.
  4. It invites our continued reflection for making meaning together as a Christian community who live in nature and grace, faith and            mystery, time, and  eternity. 


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Reverend Jack Veatch
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Evergreen Christian Church
27772 Iris Drive, Evergreen, CO 80439
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Mailing Address: P.O. Box 427, Evergreen, CO 80437
Office:  303-674-3413
Email: eccdoc01@gmail.com

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Evergreen Christian Church celebrates our historic affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination in the United States and Canada.
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Who We Are
    • Core Values
    • Leadership
    • Community Partners
    • History & Building
  • Calendar
  • News & Events
  • Open & Affirming
  • Building Rental
  • Contact
  • Photos & Videos
  • Sermons
  • Donate