About Us.
 

The past few years some changes have occurred at First Presbyterian Church of Colorado City dba Days of Grace Chapel.
 

In November, 2017, the initial discussion of the possible sale of all or part of the old church building was held during a stated session meeting.  It had been about ten years since the old sanctuary had been used.  Gas leaks, an elevator in disrepair, and a smaller number of worshippers were all contributing factors which led to this discussion about priorities and stewardship of the congregation’s resources, both physical and financial.  In late 2019, after the building had been listed by a realtor for over a year, a buyer came forward and an offer was accepted for the entire church building and property located at 444 Chestnut in Colorado City.  The entire church campus was sold to a family to use as their residence.  The property has been maintained well by this family and is now on the local property tax roll.  The congregation then made plans to rent space for worship and study in The Kelley Building, previously an elementary school, at 1435 Walnut St. in Colorado City (about 13 blocks away from the old building).  A decommissioning service/celebration was held jointly with FPC Snyder following the final worship service in the old building on Sunday, February 2, 2020.  It should be noted that the churches in Snyder and Colorado City have been sharing a pastor as yoked congregations for many years.
 

In late March 2020, a three-year lease agreement was signed for the space in the Kelley Building and renovations began using some of the proceeds from sale of the old building.  Renovations started just as the Covid 19 epidemic swept the nation.  Joint worship with First Presbyterian Church of Snyder by Zoom was initiated, then transitioned to worship on the parking lot in Snyder during the spring/summer of 2020.  As renovations progressed, the congregation made the decision to assume the name “Days of Grace Chapel” when worship begins in the rented space.  An assumed name certificate (dba) was obtained from the State of (2) Texas which is good for ten years and is renewable.  The reasoning behind the assumed name was basically this: the congregation was the oldest in Colorado City, attendance had dwindled to two active members, it was a time of transition between pastors, and God was offering the opportunity for a fresh start.  Quick history note here:  the first organized worship service in Colorado City was held in a saloon in January, 1881 and was led by a Presbyterian minister and school teacher from Mississippi.  The saloon was followed by a dugout, a tent, and a school building before the first church building was erected in May, 1891.  So, with that kind of history, assuming a new name in a town where few people could spell the name “Presbyterian” didn’t seem like much of a stretch!
 

A new logo was attached to the outside of the rented building which reads: “Days of Grace Chapel, Presbyterian Church (USA)”.  The desire remains to be true to our Presbyterian roots and Reformed theology, while offering a welcoming and fresh approach to worship and study. The first worship service at Days of Grace Chapel was held in July of 2020.  Members of FPC Snyder joined in the worship and dedication service, which was followed by a meal at Kelley Café, which is located in the same building, along with several other small businesses.  In the following year our commissioned pastor was installed and five new members were added, two by transfer of letter and three by baptism.  Worship attendance currently ranges from four to ten people on a regular basis.

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Partnerships with local organizations such as school, city, ministerial alliance, and senior citizens have multiplied the efforts of a small congregation such as ours.  The 8th year of partnership with Colorado ISD to provide free summer meals to local children was just completed, using three temporary employees plus about ten volunteers from the community.  After assessing needs in the community, an agreement was reached in late 2020 for Days of Grace Chapel to provide an after-school program at the local elementary school.  This led to a lease on a building owned by the school where Days of Grace Kids Care, Inc. opened for business on August 1, 2022.  This nonprofit, full time daycare is funded in part by Days of Grace Chapel and is governed by a local board of directors.  Renovations to bring this building up to current public daycare and state fire marshal licensing (3) standards were made possible by a generous couple from our congregation who established a trust fund with the purpose of helping children about fifty years ago.  
 

At a recent session meeting the decision was made to move worship from our current rented space at the Kelley Building to the Kids Care building located at 1111 East 9th Street in April, 2023.  This move makes sense financially but it will also allow better use of the daycare building where so many resources have already been invested.  Our congregation intends to align with an interdenominational network of churches called “Messy Church” beginning in early 2023 in an effort to reach families in the community who live on the edge of organized religion (a significant part of our community).  The hope is that through our interactions and connections with children and their families at Kids Care, the door to faith in Christ may be opened to them.  “Messy Church” will begin as a quarterly or monthly activity and our regular worship time will move from 1pm on Sunday to later in the day to accommodate families with small children (after nap time!).
 

Some observations to be made from this congregation’s experiences over the past years: (1) God works in mysterious and unexpected ways, even in very small groups. (2) God provides great opportunities where great needs exist (summer food, daycare, nursing home worship, jail worship).  (3) God places choices before His people--be discouraged because we are few or work with those who are willing (local school, other churches, community organizations).  
 

We are fortunate to have been planted in a community where, in spite of many challenges, there are people willing to work together to achieve common goals.  Our goal of Days of Grace Chapel is to grow Christ’s church.  We have adopted this simple statement: “Our purpose is to love God and love others” (Jesus’ core values).  If the past history of FPC Colorado City dba Days of Grace Chapel provides any indication of the future, it will be an interesting journey!