A Closer Look At Grand Junction’s Oldest Church

The city of Grand Junction was still part of Gunnison County when it was founded on July 22nd, 1882. During the following year in 1883, land was deeded to the African-American citizens of the city so they could build a house of worship.

Read More: Grand Junction's Oldest Houses & Buildings Still Standing Strong

Half a dozen buildings in Downtown Grand Junction are often mentioned in conversations about the oldest buildings in town. However, the structure at 202 White Avenue predates them all.

Get our free mobile app

George Crawford Establishes Grand Junction

When George Crawford established the town, some of the first streets included as part of the town site were named after the investment partners who backed his claim to create the city. This included Allison White and Henry E. Rood. The land deeded for Grand Junction's first African American church sits between White Avenue and Rood Avenue. The Handy Chapel dates back to the beginning of our city.

Grand Junction's Oldest Church

The original cornerstone of the Handy Chapel is still visible today and reads  ”A.M.E. Church Erected By REV. S. Wright 1892.″ The African Methodist Episcopal Church benefited from nearly $300,000 in grants over the years to help rehabilitate the chapel. Many of the residents of Grand Junction would like to see additional restoration continue for this historic and beloved chapel.

Colorado's List of Historic Places

Grand Junction's Handy Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 and was added to the list of Colorado's Endangered Places in 2011. This historic chapel is the meeting place and destination for Grand Junction's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march held annually since the early 1980s.