Architectural Inventory Form

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1 OAHP 1403 Rev. 9/98 COLORADO CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY Page 1 of 5 Official Eligibility Determination (OAHP Use Only) Date Initials Determined Eligibile-NR Determined Not Eligible-NR Determined Eligibile-SR Determined Not Eligible-SR Need Data Contributes to Eligibile NR District Noncontributing to Eligibile NR District I. IDENTIFICATION 1. Resource Number: 5EP County: El Paso 4. City: Colorado Springs Parcel Number: SHF Grant Number: CO Historic Building Name: Grace Episcopal Church/Village Inn Restaurant 6. Current Building Name: 7. Building Address: E. Pikes Peak Ave. 8. Owner Name and Address: GERBER LONNIE L, PO BOX 60250, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO II. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 9. P.M. 6th Township 14S Range 66W NE 1/4 SW 1/4 SW 1/4 NE 1/4 of Section UTM Reference Zone 13 Easting Northing USGS Quad Name: Colorado Springs, Colo. Year: 1961 (revised 1994) Map Scale: 7.5' 12. Lot (s): W 100 FT OF LOTS 23, 24 Block(s): 93 Addition: COLO SPGS Year of Addition: Boundary Description and Justification: Boundary includes the building and the parcel on which it is located. III. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION 14. Building Plan (footprint, shape): Irregular 15. Dimensions in Feet: Length 102 X Width Stories: Primary External Wall Material(s) (enter no more than two): Stone/Rhyolite Concrete/Concrete Block 18. Roof Configuration (enter no more than one): Gabled 19. Primary External Roof Material (enter no more than one): Asphalt/Composition 20. Special Features (enter all that apply): Stained Glass, Dormer, Fence 21. General Architectural Description: This building consists of the modified remaining components of an 1874 Gothic Revival church erected on this site. The components consist of the original rear east-west wing of the church on the east, a connecting bay between the original wing and an early addition to the west, and a western addition. South of the original part of the building is an ornamental concrete block addition and south of the western section of the building are painted brick and concrete block additions. The walls of the historic sections of the building are composed of coursed, rock-faced stone. The eastern component is rectangular, with a steeply pitched roof. The north wall has three sets of paired pointed arch stained glass windows with stone lintels and sills. There are two stone buttresses near the center of the wall. The west side has a gabled parapet wall with buttressed corners and is topped by a chimney, and historic

2 Page 2 of 5 photographs indicate that the west wall had a small pointed arch window at the apex of the gable and a wide pointed arch stained glass window centered on the gable end. There is a flat roof ornamental concrete block addition on the south. The east wall is stucco and has no openings. Projecting from the west wall of this section is a shed roof, stone bay with a pointed arch entrance with paneled and glazed and carved pointed arch door. The bay connects to the western addition to the church, which has a rectangular gable roof component toward the north with a gabled roof projecting entrance bay. The entrance bay has decorative verge boards, stucco and half-timbering, a hanging lantern, and a vertical board door with four-light window. The east wall of this bay has small stucco additions extending back to the connecting bay. The gabled roof wing has triangular dormers with trefoil-shaped openings with louvers. Toward the east end of the north wall are three narrow pointed arch windows covered with metal grilles. Toward the west end is a flattened pointed arch window with plate glass window and a second similar arch which is partially filled in and has a glazed metal frame door. There are parapet walls on the east and west ends of this wing (the east one is topped by a chimney and the west one is broken off at the top). On the west gable end are slate tiles creating an overlapping gable motif and there is another wide flattened arch with plate glass window. Further south on the wall is a flat arch window (with replacement window). There is a gable roof wing projecting to the south; the windows on the west wall are flat arch and have metal grilles. There are narrow vents under the windows. The western section of the building has slate roofing. On the south is a flat roof addition with sections of painted concrete block and painted brick. The roof is stepped down toward the west. 22. Architectural Style/Building Type: Late Victorian/Gothic Revival 23. Landscaping or Special Setting Features: Low wrought iron fence. Evergreen bush and overgrown vegetation in front of the west section of the building next to the projecting entrance bay. 24. Associated Buildings, Features, or Objects: None IV. ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY 25. Date of Construction: Estimate Actual Source of Information: Leland Feitz, Silhouette, Architect: George L. Summers Source of Information: Burgess & Shaw, Builder/Contractor: Robert Rickens Source of Information: Burgess, Hylbom, Shaw 28. Original Owner: Grace Church Source of Information: Leland Feitz, Silhouette, Construction History (include description and dates of major additions, alterations, or demolitions): The church appears on the 1890 Sanborn map with an irregularly shaped plan oriented east-west, with two small projections on the north wall, a curved projecting bay on the east, and a small projection on the south. In 1891 the transepts were added and they appear on the 1892 Sanborn map. Between 1900 and 1907 a large one-story addition at the rear connected by a small passageway to the original building was added. The rear addition is identified on the 1907 Sanborn map as "Parlors & Library." The rear wing of the original church (west of the transepts) and the parlors and library addition are what remain of the building. In 1941 most of the original part of the church was demolished. A concrete block section south of the rear original wing was added (date unknown, before 1962). 30. Original Location: Yes Date of Moves: V. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS 31. Original Use(s): Religion/Religious Facility/Church 32. Intermediate Use(s): Commerce and Trade/Restaurant 33. Current Use(s): Vacant/Not in Use

3 Page 3 of Site Type(s): Church, Restaurant 35. Historical Background: The first Episcopal service in Colorado Springs was held on 13 January 1872 in Foote's Hall and conducted by Rev. Samuel Edwards, Rector of St. Peter's Church in Pueblo. About people attended, including Rose Kingsley, who played a harmonium. A subscription list was started for creating a church, and funds were raised for erecting a building. Work began in June 1873 on a stone building at Pike's Peak and Weber on lots donated by General Palmer. George L. Summers designed the building, Robert Rickens was the stone mason, and Winfield Stratton provided woodworking skills. George L. Summers was the architect for the Colorado Springs Company, while W.S. Stratton would later become a millionaire from Cripple Creek mining investments. The cornerstone was laid on 12 July 1873 by Bishop Randall. Rev. M.F. Sorenson was the first minister acquired by the congregation. In October 1873 the group selected the name "Grace Church," and the parish formally organized. The new building opened on 28 June 1874, with Bishop Spaulding officiating and the crowd described as "overflowing." The Bishop commented that the building was "the most beautiful church" in his jurisdiction, and he donated $500 to pay off the mortgage. Other donations included $600 from Dr. W.A. Bell and several hundred dollars from English contributors. On 8 August 1880 consecration ceremonies were conducted by Bishop Spaulding. In June 1881 a rectory at 329 N. Nevada Avenue was purchased. Transepts were added to the church in In 1891 the Gazette reported, "Grace Protestant Episcopal church stands on large and well kept lawns on the corner of Weber and Pike's Peak avenue, and leads directly into the main room. The windows are of stained glass, and the interior fittings are plain but elegant. The church is altogether too small for the needs of the congregation, and plans for a very extensive enlargement are now under consideration." In 1893 several members of Grace Church organized a separate church known as St. Stephen's. The congregation met at the Antler's Hotel Pavilion and later the Congregational Church until it was able to build a church in Grace Church, despite expansion became very crowded. The idea of combining the two parishes was discussed for several years, but it was not presented publicly until the 50th anniversary of Grace Church in At that time Grace Church invited St. Stephen's to a joint worship service. Rev. Chauncey H. Blodgett of Grace Church and Rev. Arthur N. Taft of St. Stephen's suggested that "one good sized church building of simple but beautiful interior" could be achieved if the congregations merged. The two pastors worked out a reunification plan and recommended that a new building be erected. On 19 December 1924 the new parish was formed, with Reverend Taft elected rector and Reverend Blodgett elected co-rector. The actual merger of the congregations came on 1 January 1925 when a new building was completed. After the congregation left this church for their new facility, it was used as a storeroom by various businesses. In 1929 a part of the church was turned into a restaurant known as the Chapel Inn. In 1937 John, Pete, and Vera Ceresa opened the Village Inn Restaurant in this location, with one room with a capacity of 120 persons. The room was described as "attractively finished in old English design with beamed ceilings and pastel decorations. Within six months of opening the demand caused the Ceresas to add a second room. A lounge and grill were added in 1940 and O.K. Barnes completed pastels with raised relief depicting scenes from around the world. During this period the restaurant attracted large numbers of tourists. The Gazette commented, "The Village Inn has become well known for its sea food menus." The restaurant added a Coronado Tavern in 1942, which featured murals of Coronado's expedition. A new entrance with canopy was created on the south. The 1941 city directory indicates that the Old English Dairy Confectionery, operated by C.B. Frink, was also located in the former church. In 1941 most of the original Grace Church was demolished to make way for a bus station. During the process, workmen found a tin box behind the original cornerstone which contained pages of a Bible and damp, undecipherable fragments of a newspaper. In August 1946 Mr. and Mrs. James N. McCullough leased the restaurant from the Ceresas. James McCullough served as mayor of Colorado Springs for four years. The business was described as a coffee shop dining establishment and cocktail lounge. The cocktail lounge in the basement of the restaurant was damaged by fire in The Village Inn Corporation was established by the McCulloughs and the restaurant's chef, John Cimino, who had been trained at the Broadmoor. An advertisement for the restaurant in the 1951 city directory stated, "Noted in the Pike's Peak region for its fine food, courteous service, home-like atmosphere and moderate prices." The Village Inn Bakery and Dairy and the Village Inn Restaurant were listed at this location in the 1951 city directory. In 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Jim P. Mola of Eugene, Oregon, and Mr. and Mrs. Merton Anderson of Denver purchased the

4 Page 4 of 5 restaurant business from the McCulloughs for about $200,000. The McCulloughs retained the lease on the building, purchasing it in 1958 for $110,000. The 1960 city directory listed the Pub Lounge and the Village Inn Restaurant here. In 1961 Frank Rolla, his father Joseph, and sister Ann Atwell purchased the business from Molas and Anderson. The Rollas had operated the Swiss Chalet Restaurant at 117 E. Pike's Peak Avenue during The Rollas owned and managed the Village Inn from 1961 to Joseph Rolla served as the chef for the restaurant, which won several awards. It was said that downtown businessmen gathered "religiously" for lunch and dinner here. The 1965 city directory also listed All Points Travel service in the building, operated by Frank Ulrich and Richard M. Livermore. 36. Sources of Information: El Paso County Assessor records; M.E. Burgess, E.H. Hylbom, R.H. Shaw, Pike's Peak Region Landmarks Council, Inventory, 1970, in Pike's Peak Library District, Local History Collection; Colorado Springs City Directories; Sanborn Maps; Pike's Peak Library District, Special Collections, Photographs, Village Inn Restaurant, Stewart's Photograph, CR891, n.d. and Pamphlet File, Colorado Springs Churches, The Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs Parish Handbook; Gazette, 31 May 1903, 1, 15 February 1940, 9, 21 June 1941, 5, 20 June 1942, 3, 13 December 1946, 1, 2 March 1951, 1, 15 November 1956, 2 September 1961, 9; Leland Feitz, The Church of England's Little London Home, Silhouette, 2 January 1972, 4; Colorado Historical Society, Inventory Record Form, E. Pike's Peak, 5EP630, 1893 and Architectural Component Form, 1985; Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, Photographs, Harry Standley, Photo Craft Shop, Village Inn, 1938, S ; Jean Messigner and Mary Jane Rust, Where Thy Glory Dwells (Manitou Springs: TextPros, 1998), 44-46; Manley D. and Eleanor R. Ormes, The Book of Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs: Dentan Printing Co., 1933); Frank Waters, Midas of the Rockies (Chicago: Sage Books, 1972), 67; Mary E. Burgess and Ruth Shaw, ed., Pilgrimage Into The Past: A Tour of Area Landmarks (Colorado Springs: Landmarks Council of Pikes Peak Region, 1978), 20. VI. SIGNIFICANCE 37. Local Landmark Designation: No Date of Designation: Designating Authority: N/A 38. Applicable National Register Criteria: A. B. C. D. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of our history; Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important to history or prehistory. Qualifies under Criteria Considerations A through G (See Manual). X Does not meet any of the above National Register criteria. 39. Area(s) of Significance: 40. Period of Significance: 41. Level of Significance: 42. Statement of Significance: This building, although much altered, is what remains of the first Episcopal church erected in Colorado Springs, one of the oldest remaining buildings in the city. The building, completed in 1874, was designed by George Summer, architect for the Colorado Springs Co., constructed by Robert Rickens, and had woodwork supervised by Winfield S. Stratton, who later became one of the city's wealthiest and most influential citizens. Marshall Sprague judged that the church was designed in an English Gothic style which reflected the city's role as "Little London." After the Grace Church congregation departed in 1925 the church was turned into a popular Colorado Springs restaurant known as the Village Inn. In 1941 most of the original section of the church was demolished. The portion that remains is a remnant of the original building and has undergone modifications itself. The building has local significance for its ties to the early history of religious organizations in the city and its representation of early church architecture in the city (notably the stone construction and Gothic Revival style). 43. Assessment of Historic Physical Integrity Related to Significance: What remains of this building is a remnant of the original church. The most significant part of the church, which included the transepts and chancel, was demolished in Concrete block and brick additions were added on the south side of the remaining part of the church (date unknown). Windows have mostly been replaced and there are some replacement doors. There are stucco additions on the east side of the projecting entrance bay. N/A

5 Page 5 of 5 VII. NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT 47. National Register Field Eligibility Assessment: Not eligible 48. Is there National Register district potential? Discuss. No There does not appear to be a sufficient concentration of historic buildings with historic physical integrity to compose a historic district in this area. If there is NRHP district potential, indicate contributing status: N/A 49. If the building is in an existing NRHP district, indicate contributing status: N/A VIII. RECORDING INFORMATION 50. Photographic Reference(s): 15: 22-29; 38: Negatives Filed At: Colorado Springs Planning Photographer: R. Whitacre/T. Simmons 51. Report Title: Historical and Architectural Survey of Downtown Colorado Springs, Date(s): Oct Mar Recorder(s): R.L. Simmons/T.H. Simmons 54. Organization: Front Range Research Associates, Inc. 55. Address: 3635 W. 46th Ave., Denver, CO Phone Number(s): (303) NOTE: Please attach a sketch map, a photocopy of the USGS quad map indicating the resource's location, and photographs. Colorado Historical Society-Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation 1300 Broadway, Denver, Colorado (303)

Architectural Inventory Form

OAHP1403 Rev. 9/98 COLORADO CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY Architectural Inventory Form Official eligibility determination (OAHP use only) Date Initials Determined Eligible- NR Determined Not Eligible- NR Determined