For almost 150 years, LifePoint Church has had a heart for Fort Collins and a desire to see lives transformed by the gospel. Originally founded in 1879 as First Baptist Church in Old Town Fort Collins, LifePoint is one of the longest-serving churches in Northern Colorado. We’ve been here since before Fort Collins had running water or telephones! Through changing generations, new neighborhoods, and a growing city, God has continued to use this church as a place of worship, discipleship, service, and mission.
Below are some key events in our rich history, as well as a few fun and interesting ones!
1879 - First Baptist Church is Founded
In early June 1879 a meeting was held at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fort Collins, Colorado to discuss organizing a regular Baptist church. At the time there was a Methodist Episcopal church, a Presbyterian church, an Episcopal church and a Roman Catholic church in Fort Collins. The first official recorded population for Fort Collins, taken one year later in 1880 was only 1,356 people. A man named Madison Harry was our first pastor. A confession of faith was voted into motion, and the rest - as they say - is history.
Only a few months later in September, 1879 Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) admitted its first class of students.
A truly epic year for Fort Collins!
A woman named Miss Theodosia Ammons was an early member of our church. She was a member of CSU faculty. Ammons Hall on campus is named after her.
1881 - Church Land & Organ is Purchased
After meeting in various spaces around town for a couple years, land was purchased on the corner of Remington & Magnolia streets in Fort Collins for $550.00. An organ was purchased that same year for $118.00.
For context, during this time, it is recorded in church documents that water was sold to Fort Collins residents for 5 cents per pail from a water wagon (pictured here in front of the Northern Hotel) that retrieved water from the Poudre River on North College. A water system was not built in Fort Collins until 1882.
1887 - Fort Collins' First Telephone
Ring ring! The first telephone was installed in Fort Collins, connecting City Hall with Water Works.
1890’s - Financial Hardship
In the 1890’s the church went through some financial hardship. It is recorded that the Ladies Aid Society came to the rescue. They were largely responsible for paying off the mortgage from the building, as well as other church debt. They raised funds in various ways, including by selling cook books & serving tea.
Women’s ministries are still an important part of our church today, with everything from moms groups to widow care.
1904 - The Old Stone Church is Built
In 1904 “The Old Stone Church” building was built on the same property on the corner of Remington & Magnolia. A beautiful building you can still see today, minus the steeple. An addition, the East Wing was added in 1912.
1913 - Our First Nursery
In the summer of 1913 our church had its first nursery program during the preaching hour. 100+ years later and we are still serving families in this way.
1919 - First Foreign Missionary
First Baptist Church’s first foreign missionary named Marion A. Beebe was sent abroad in 1919. A young woman, who was only 25 at the time, went to Burma. She had wanted to go in 1912 after graduating from the Women’s Missionary Training School in Chicago, but the Mission Board rules at the time were not to send out any young women before they were 25. Since that time, we have supported many local and global missionaries who spread the gospel with passion and determination.
1926 - Pipe Organ Installed
A pipe organ was purchased in 1925 and operational by June of 1926. When the Old Stone Church building was sold in 1963, First Baptist Church retained ownership of the organ with the intent of installing it in the new auditorium. It was, however, discovered that the old organ could not be installed in the new building. The old chimes were put in a newly purchased Layton Organ, though. The old pipe organ was sold to Bethany Baptist Church in Boulder. Today the beautiful Layton Organ is still located in our sanctuary, although not operational. We do have couples who like to use it as the backdrop for their wedding ceremonies, though.
Music is still an integral part of who we are and how we worship. Get more information on worship below.
1930 - The Great Depression
The Great Depression began in 1929. In 1930, there are many cuts to the church budget, including the elimination of "The Reminder" (printed church bulletin, examples shown here), cutting pulpit supplies, cutting Sunday School, no improvement tax, no insurance, and more. However, the following quote was published by church leadership, indicative of the high spiritual standards which were to be maintained at all cost:
"During the past weeks interest in our church in many ways has been exceedingly gratifying. But on account of some financial matters the board is requesting a meeting of the church immediately after next Sunday morning's service to consider the following subbestions.
...Even tho we are compelled to cut some of our finances that we go forward with the enlarged program which the presence of so many young people of this church command, that we shall not cut in our attendance, nor in our evangelistic ferver, but rather that we shall see to it that a greater degree of consecration shall prevail through a richer indwelling of the Master's Spirit."
1953 - A VBS for the Books
The first Vacation Bible School was held in 1922. However, it is recorded that from August 17th through August 28th, 1953 a “most successful Daily Vacation Bible School” was held. A total of 425 children enrolled with 50 teachers. The Old Stone Church building (which does actually resemble a castle) was turned into a Crusade Castle, including the building of an operational drawbridge and moat! Each day there was a trumpeter and knight to welcome the children across the drawbridge after it was lowered.
Serving families through VBS is still something we do today. Our incredible team of volunteers always prepares a fun theme for each year, although our current team has yet to build a working drawbridge and moat. #goals
1960’s - Building on Prospect Rd.
By the 1960’s First Baptist Church was bursting at the seams! A photo taken November 8, 1953 shows 604 people in attendance for Sunday School. Various other buildings and satellite locations had been purchased. On April 23rd, 1961 ground was broken at the current location (on the then outskirts of town) on Prospect Road. The first church service was held in the new building on January 28th, 1962. Services were held in both buildings on Sundays until 1966 when a larger sanctuary was erected at the Prospect location.
1964 - The Bus Ministry
A truly unique ministry was started in 1964 when the church purchased a used school bus to help bring children to church who were from un-churched homes. Mr. James McKee joined the church in 1969 and took a real interest in this ministry. He and his wife started calling homes with children who were not attending a Sunday School, offering to pick the family up in the bus and bring them to church. Before long, he had more children who wanted to come than one bus could handle. Another bus was purchased. A committee was then formed. One by one more buses were added until there was a fleet of seven buses, each going different directions in and around Fort Collins. Children and adults were picked up as far as 35 miles away to come to church. People who had no other way of getting to church on Sundays. At the highest point in 1974, 200 people were riding the buses each Sunday to come to First Baptist Church. The costs associated with maintaining the fleet of buses, as well as the manpower needed to operate such a ministry was eventually too much. The Bus Ministry ended, but the desire to reach our neighbors is still an important part of who we are today. We recently finished our Backyard Project, which is an outdoor space to the West of our church building aimed at serving our local community. We hold an Easter event every year that is attended by many outside our church, as is our annual VBS program.
1965 - Ordination of Dale Williams
On June 6th, 1965 Dale Williams was ordained. He had grown up in our church. At the time of his ordination he was a missionary in Madagascar with his wife, Jan. Dale is still on our pastoral team to this day. You can hear him preach some Sundays.
1970 - Heritage Christian School Founded
Heritage Christian School held classes in the Educational wing of the new building starting in 1970. There was one administrator, four teachers & 56 students. Heritage Christian School is still in operation today. It has since outgrown our building and is located on a campus in Northeast Fort Collins.
2011 - First Baptist Church is Renamed
In 2011 we decided to change our name from First Baptist Church to LifePointe Church.
2026 - Rebrand & Spelling Change
In mid-2026 we went through a rebranding process, updating our logo as well as our website and print materials. We also decided to drop the “e” at the end of the word “LifePointe”. We felt our existing branding and website, which we had used for the last decade, could better represent who we are today. We wanted our website to be a welcoming, informative digital front door that would help us welcome new visitors and members.
Our story is rooted in local leadership, faithful pastors, elders, members, families, and volunteers who have served this community with steady commitment and gospel hope. From Sunday worship to neighborhood outreach, from raising up leaders to sending people into full-time ministry around the world, LifePoint has always been more than a building. It has been a church family seeking to glorify God and make gospel-driven disciples.
Many people have gone out from LifePoint to serve in full-time ministry across the world, but our foundation has remained deeply local: loving Fort Collins, serving our neighbors, and pointing people to Jesus.
As we look back, we do so with gratitude. As we look ahead, we do so with expectation, trusting God to continue His work through LifePoint for generations to come.
Backyard Project
FAQs
Has the church always been called LifePoint?
No. The church was originally established as First Baptist Church. As our ministry continued to grow and our vision expanded, we became LifePointe Church while remaining committed to the same biblical foundation and mission. In 2026 we dropped the “e” from the end of “LifePointe” and are now LifePoint Church.
When was LifePoint Church founded?
LifePoint Church was founded in 1879 as First Baptist Church in Old Town Fort Collins. For more than 140 years, God has faithfully used this church to serve Northern Colorado and share the hope of Jesus Christ.
What does "local leadership" mean?
Local leadership means investing in the people and communities right here in Northern Colorado. For generations, pastors, elders, staff, volunteers, and church members have faithfully led, served, and cared for our community while helping people grow in their relationship with Christ.
Is missions important to LifePoint Church?
Yes. While our roots are firmly planted in Fort Collins, we have also maintained a strong commitment to sharing the gospel around the world. Over the years, many individuals from LifePoint have been sent into full-time ministry across the globe, while we continue to support both local and global mission partners.
Is LifePoint still growing today?
Absolutely. While we're grateful for our rich history, we're focused on what God is doing today. New families continue to join our church, ministries continue to grow, and we're committed to making gospel-driven disciples for the next generation.
How can I learn more about LifePoint’s history?
We love sharing the story of God's faithfulness through the generations. If you're interested in learning more about our history, feel free to ask a pastor or stop by the Welcome Center on a Sunday morning.
Why does the church emphasize its history?
Our history isn't about celebrating ourselves, it's about celebrating God's faithfulness. Looking back reminds us that God has been at work through countless faithful people before us, and it encourages us to continue serving Him faithfully for the generations still to come.