History

Introduction

Since 1902, when its first congregants gathered under a cloth-ceilinged tabernacle on the edge of what would become Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church has lived out a mission of spiritual formation, public witness, and community outreach—transforming lives and shaping the city for over a century.

Growth and Architecture

By 1910, the congregation had constructed its first permanent chapel in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. That small stone building became the heart of a growing and vibrant faith community. Over the following decades, the physical church expanded to meet the spiritual and civic needs of its people. In 1918, a Romanesque sanctuary was added by architects Harry J. Manning and Frank W. Frewen. In 1926, the renowned firm of Hoyt and Hoyt designed an educational wing that became a center for learning and fellowship. And in the 1950s, as the congregation boomed, a new Gothic Revival sanctuary was built, allowing the church to accommodate larger worship gatherings and a deepening liturgical life.

Early Ministry and Community Engagement

From its earliest days, Montview was a hub of civic engagement and cultural life. A literary society flourished by 1910, championed by member William Daniels of the Daniels & Fisher department store. In 1914, Montview chartered the neighborhood’s first Boy Scout troop, nurturing leadership and service in the lives of young people. By the 1960s, the church offered Sunday school classes for deaf children, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to inclusion well ahead of its time.

Montview’s physical campus has always reflected its spiritual commitments. In the 1920s, the congregation helped establish Presbyterian Hospital, offering both volunteers and funding to bring compassionate healthcare to Denver. In the 1960s, the church led the development of Montview Manor, a senior housing high-rise just south of City Park—ensuring older adults could live with dignity in the neighborhood they helped build. And in 1964, Montview Community Preschool was born—an integrated, multi-denominational program co-founded by Bea Romer, daughter of then-pastor Dr. Arthur Miller.

The Visit of Dr. King

That same year marked one of the most profound moments in Montview’s history. On January 26, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Denver and held a discussion with local clergy in Montview’s sanctuary. Later that day, he addressed more than 3,000 members of the public, half of whom could not fit in the building. Dr. King stepped onto the church’s stone steps to address the overflow crowd, declaring, “For democracy to live, segregation must die.”

Justice and Integration

Around the same time, the church helped found the Park Hill Action Committee (PHAC), which organized to make Park Hill Denver’s first intentionally integrated neighborhood. The Denver Post later called PHAC a model for racial integration across the city—a testament to Montview’s commitment to justice not only inside the sanctuary but throughout the surrounding streets.

Diverse Leadership

Montview’s pastoral leadership has mirrored the city’s growing diversity. In 1971, Rev. John W. Rice became the church’s first African American pastor. He was also the father of Condoleezza Rice, who would become the first African American woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. In 1972, Dr. Allen Maruyama began a twenty-year ministry as Montview’s first Asian American pastor. And in 1980, Dr. Glendora “Dusty” Taylor became the church’s first female pastor, serving until 2002.

Shared Leadership

Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church transitioned from a senior pastor model to a co-pastorate model in 1974, establishing a leadership structure where multiple pastors share authority and responsibility. This model reflects Montview’s theological commitment to collaboration, mutual discernment, and community engagement. For nearly 50 years, this approach has fostered a culture of shared leadership, deepening the congregation’s theological reflection, distributing pastoral care more sustainably, and affirming that leadership is strongest when rooted in shared vision and trust.

Preserving and Reimagining Sacred Space

As ministry continued to flourish, so did the church’s investment in its physical space. In 2004, the Montview building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, a recognition of both its architectural distinction and its enduring civic role. More recently, a campus visioning project led by Tryba Architects reimagined beloved spaces like Westminster Commons and the Miller Center.

Ministry in the 21st Century

Over the past two decades, Montview has embraced new ways of being church. We have expanded our digital presence, offering live-streamed worship, education, and special events, allowing people near and far to connect with our community. Two major capital campaigns have supported both infrastructure improvements and programmatic growth, linking stewardship of space with stewardship of spirit.

Present-Day Community

Today, Montview offers rich opportunities for connection across life stages: from Supper Clubs and young adult gatherings to robust ministries for children, youth, and older adults. Our music program continues to be a defining feature of our worship life—lifting voices and hearts in beauty and reverence.

We also continue to grow outward. Locally, we’ve deepened relationships with justice-focused initiatives, including the Anti-Racism Trust Team, which facilitates education, advocacy, and accountability within the congregation. Globally, we maintain long-term partnerships in Haiti and with Seeds of South Sudan, grounded in shared mission and mutual learning.

Many of our ministries today are member-led, shaped by the creativity and compassion of our congregation. And we are honored to be the spiritual home of Temple Micah, a Reform Jewish community that worships in our building—living out our commitment to interfaith collaboration and shared sacred space.

Faithful Civic Engagement

Montview remains committed to faithful public witness. As part of this commitment, we actively partner with organizations like Together Colorado and the League of Women Voters of Denver, who also share office space in our building. These partnerships reflect our belief that faith communities have a vital role to play in promoting justice, democracy, and the common good.

Conclusion

From its stone foundation to its ever-widening welcome, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church remains a dynamic community of faith in the heart of Denver—honoring the past, embracing the present, and discerning the future with courage and joy.