June 1, 2006
Contacts: Pat Jorgenson 970-535-4294
Pauli Smith 970-535-4936

Restored Highlandlake Church to be Rededicated at June 11 Annual Reunion

Editors Note: Highlandlake is the correct, official spelling, in this instance. This news
release and photos of the Highlandlake Church, with its new yellow and green paint, may be
obtained online at www.HistoricHighlandlake.org

Mead, CO -- Sporting its new coat of creamy yellow paint with green trim, the historic and
recently restored Highlandlake church will welcome old and new friends to the 85th annual
Highlandlake Reunion and Community Gathering on Sunday, June 11, on the grounds of the
church, at 16896 Weld County Road 5, one mile west of Mead. The highlight of this year’s
gathering will be the dedication of the historic church as a community center, following
completion of a three-year reinforcement and restoration project at the 110-year-old church. Part
of that restoration included painting the church yellow and green, to replicate the colors that were
used when it was first painted in the spring of 1897.

The gathering will begin with a social hour at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck picnic dinner at
noon. Those planning to participate in the potluck should bring a dish to share with at least seven
others, and their own table service. Historic Highlandlake Inc. (HHI), will provide cups,
lemonade, iced tea and coffee.

Following the dinner, the gathering will move inside the church for a reenactment of the original
dedication ceremony of 1897. The service will be led by Kris Maldonado, portraying the
Reverend Mary Bumstead, who was pastor of the church from 1895 to her death in 1898, and
who was instrumental in raising funds for construction of the church. Following Rev. Bumstead’s
dedicatory message, Highlandlake founder, Lorin Mead, portrayed by Mead resident Loren
Riemer, will offer words of thanks to his friends and fellow parishioners. Then the service will
segue into the 21st century, with a new dedicatory message from HHI Executive Director, Pauli
Smith, and a brief memorial for members who have died during the past year.
Music for the service will be provided by soloist Melissa Siepelt, accompanied by Chris Tate on
the piano.

The church was built on the east shore of Highlandlake irrigation reservoir in 1896, as a
Congregational Church, but declining membership in the early part of the 20th century forced the
closing of the church in 1917. Since that time, descendants of early church members and nearby
neighbors have held a reunion at the church each year on the second Sunday of June, and since
1995, a traditional Christmas carol service is held at the church on December 21.

(more)

The wooden church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, received major
structural damage from the load of snow that built up on the roof during the blizzard of March,
2003. Beginning in June 2003, reconstruction and restoration work on the church began, with
the final inside wood finishing and outside painting completed in mid-May, 2006. A total of
$278, 000 has been spent on the reconstruction/restoration project. Of that amount, $242,000
came in the form of grants from the Colorado State Historical Fund, and $42,000 from private
donations. Smith said another $5,000 is needed to finish paying contractors who have completed
their work.

Information on the restoration project, the upcoming reunion, or directions to Highlandlake may
be obtained by calling Pauli Smith at 970-535-4936; or at HistoricHighlandlake.org

 

This page was updated on November 1, 2009