Beauty found inside and out
The Church is simple, but elegantly designed with a traditional bell that prefaces a wooden cross steeple. The bell is rung at the beginning of the service to call all seeking our Lord and Savior. The white church is glorified with stained- glass windows that make the sanctuary divine, and each one has a story to tell.
The first stained-glass window was designed and donated by the Willing Workers. The Willing Workers are a group of Presbyterian Women who work side by side with the church in their mission work. The first window boasts the emblem / logo of the Willing Workers.
The first stained-glass window was designed and donated by the Willing Workers. The Willing Workers are a group of Presbyterian Women who work side by side with the church in their mission work. The first window boasts the emblem / logo of the Willing Workers.
The remaining stained-glass windows were designed by long time congregation members and created by a local artist. The windows have been sponsored and dedicated by a variety of families representing a memorial for devoted members and families that have passed. The colorful windows depict Images of Christ and his love for us.
Our Deep rooted history
The church has always been under Presbyterian leadership, but has not always been a stand-alone church. Originally, it was a mission church with pastors supplied by Presbytery. It then became a part of the San Juan Larger Parish and shared a pastor with 3 other churches, Bayfield, Florida Mesa, and Ignacio. The Allison Church held worship services in the evening during some of these years. After many years working with the group of 4 churches, it narrowed to having one pastor that was shared between Allison and Ignacio Presbyterian churches.
When the Allison church became 95 years old, it was finally old enough to be self-sufficient and have a part-time pastor. One member related the journey during our mission years to wandering in the desert, trying to find our way. God took the church through many ups and downs over the years to produce a congregation that is hard working and strong in their faith. Members have generous hearts and are people who serve and love their neighbors. Our congregation is dedicated and resilient, humble enough to learn from our past while being energetic and optimistic that the best is yet to come.
The church — then and now
The first Allison Community Church service was held in the Section House in 1904. The train stopped in Allison, making it a thriving community in that day. Although the Section House was sufficient to start with, there was soon energy to build a church for worship.
The present church sanctuary was built in 1907. In the early years, the church was also used as a schoolhouse. The church was not built at its present location and it was moved in 1922. One of the original charter members donated the initial property, but through some misunderstanding or oversight, the deed was never turned over.
New land was purchased nearby and the building was moved up the hill to its present day location. Once moved, the pulpit/stage area was added. Thirty years later, in 1952, the Annex area was added on. There was no indoor restroom or kitchen until 1973! Church members donated the labor and the timber, a mission youth group from St. Louis assisted with the kitchen and restrooms as well as built a roof over the front steps, redid the sidewalk, built steps and a ramp at the entrance ways, and painted the inside and outside of the Church.
The basement portion that was added in 1952 was made into two classrooms with an outside entrance. In 1974, the youth group raised money to carpet the basement. These rooms have been finished with paint and they are used for Children’s Church. The outside space has been upgraded throughout the years as well and is currently a park like setting with picnic tables and swings. The parking lot has gone from mud to gravel, to asphalt.
We are proud of our building and grounds and continue to make improvements. Our congregation has been through the difficulties of the economy over the years and has always been frugal, yet intentional in setting aside funds to keep the building in solid shape.