By Mary Magdalena

Redstone Review

HYGIENE – Hygiene has been graced by the beauty of an old stone church and by a cemetery, which has been well maintained by a group of very dedicated ladies in Hygiene throughout the years. The Hygiene Community Cemetery Association, which now owns the church, is in the process of renovating the 130-year-old structure and hopes to have an opening celebration this spring.

The Church of the Brethren is one of more than 200 protestant denominations, and was formerly called German Baptist. The name Dunkard is also widely used from their manner of baptism by immersion. Hygiene is the home of the first of the Dunkard churches in Colorado; eventually 10 others opened around the state. Their doctrine is similar to those of the Mennonites and the River Brethren.

The late William Turner of Berthoud passed along the facts concerning the organization of this Hygiene Church. “The first known activities of the Dunkard Denomination of churches in Colorado were held in the fall of 1874, at the residence or ranch home of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Ulfery about four miles south of the church at Hygiene. An itinerant preacher named James R. Gish got a few Dunkard minded people (about six) together, and they held a love feast and communion, or what they called the Lord’s Supper. In that year, 1874, Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Turner and family settled on the St. Vrain buying out Mr. Abe Gifford together with half interest in the Zweck and Turner ditch. They immediately became leaders of the Dunkards, and their cabin home was the headquarters for all the Dunkards within 200 miles and they were always welcome and well cared for.”

In 1877 the Reverend J.S. Flory, a German by descent and Virginian by birth, became involved in the St. Vrain meetings and the church was formed with the following charter members: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Arbuthnot, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Mason, Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Turner, Mrs. George Zweck, Mr. and Mrs. Chal Wray, Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Flory, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Runyan, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Ullery, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Laycook. In those times the reverend was a member of the congregation who was chosen by the congregation because he was a good speaker. The church was also an education center similar to a grange hall.

Under the leadership of the Rev. Flory the membership increased by leaps and bounds, In 1879 a movement to erect a church building was started. Money, labor, and material were pledged. In 1880 the building was completed. Among those who contributed labor were the Runyans, who hauled much of the stone from Lyons and T.A. Turner, who built the wood benches, using a planer to make the benches by hand. Cash amounting to $1,133 was collected and about $867 in labor was donated. The church was built for a total cost of $2000.

The century-old custom of having the community cemetery in the churchyard was used here as well. The cemetery is not considered a place of mourning, but rather a place in which to get inspiration. The names on the monuments are largely those of trailblazers, the community builders, and they were intended to inspire others to carry on according to church historical documents.

The church had a short-lived active period from 1877 to 1907, yet the Hygiene Community Cemetery Association has been able to use the church for a community center for events that are for the betterment of the community. In 2005 the Cemetery Association was given the deed to the Church of the Brethren for free from the church board or directors in Illinois. The association is currently attempting to restore the church. In the fall of 2008, the association was awarded a $43,000 matching grant from the Colorado Historic Fund. Recently a new roof, soffit and fascia boards were added. Engineering plans for the restoration of the floor and foundation are under way and a new grant is in progress to continue the work in restoring this lovely old church to its original state. There are historical organizations willing to help with the replacement of windows and new doors. Sam Clark, owner of Clark’s Food Store, is on the board at the church and is very excited about the potential of the church.

It is premature at this time to anticipate a reopening date, yet enthusiasm is building

for the day that this church can once again be used for weddings, funerals and community gatherings. It will not be used as a church. At this time there are no burial plots available yet there is a desire to obtain additional ground for burials as well as for parking. The interior of the church is very simple and elegant, light filters in from the elongated windows. The original pews, made by the current board member, Ken Tallman’s relative, T.A. Turner, are in excellent condition, and grace the church. A kitchen was added in the 1940s and another one replaced it in the 1970s, yet there is no interior water or sewer at this time.

The Hygiene Cemetery Association, a non-profit (501 C13), will be opening its doors in the spring  this year to give the community a look at what has been accomplished in restoring the church to its original state. They are seeking donations at this time to facilitate the completion of the restoration. President of the association, Ken Cinnamon, has been overseeing the restoration and would be pleased to receive donations: Hygiene Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 195, Hygiene, CO 80533-0195 or contact Ken Cinnamon at 303-823-6925. The open house in the spring will be announced in the Redstone Review.

Each month this column will feature stories about people, businesses and happenings in Hygiene. If you want to contribute information about Hygiene please contact Mary Magdalena, at 303-652-4004 or go to mary@marymagdalena.com.

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