Littleton Celebrates Historic First Presbyterian Church

LITTLETON, CO — The City of Littleton highlighted an important part of its history Thursday — the birth of a landmark church that's been around for nearly 90 years. On June 13, 1926, Mabel Ficklin generously donated land to the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, and four years later, the first church services were held in the new building.

At the time, the land was in Littleton Heights, at the northwest corner of Broadway and Sixth Ave., which is now Littleton Blvd. and Windermere St.

The church, at 1609 West Littleton Boulevard, was designed by renowned architect Jules Jacques Benois Benedict in 1929, city records show. Benedict's other buildings in Littleton include the Carnegie Library, the 1920 Town Hall, and his own home on South Gallup Street, which is now the Carmelite monastery.

First formed in 1883, the congregation purchased the building known as the Brick Church, but as membership grew, they needed to find a new location. Ficklin donated the land for the new church, and the bell from the old church was moved to the new one.

The bell was given to Rev. James McFadden in 1874, and it was dubbed the "Bride's Bell" when it was rung in honor of McFadden and his new bride returned to attend Presbyterian services.

Bride's Bell, which is now more than 140 years old, continues to be rung before every Sunday morning service and at every wedding.

A four-story addition was built in 1955, and designed by architect Ralph Peterson to match the original design.