About 600 attend first services at Grace since Episcopalian breakup
Carol McGraw/The Gazette
April 1, 2007

As he promised, Father Donald Armstrong had returned.

Dressed in flaming crimson church vestments that denote martyrdom and the suffering of Christ, he marched down the aisle with the processional at Grace Church and St. Stephen’s Parish during three Palm Sunday services that attracted more than 600 people to the venerable stone church.

Standing in front of the altar and dwarfed by a soaring stained glass window where edifices of ancient Christian saints gazed down — he led his congregation in the somber liturgy that proceeds Easter week.

It was the first time in months that he had officiated. Looking out at the sea of familiar faces in the pews, “My spirit was lifted,” Armstrong said later. The breakaway rector — who has served the 132-year-old Colorado Springs congregation for 20 years — was there without permission of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. the rest


Grace members supporting Episcopal Church worship at alternative site
Jennifer Wilson/the Gazette
April 1, 2007

Wearing white and black robes, members of the Grace Church choir slowly walked the aisles. Outside the main doors, a white sign propped on a wooden easel read “Grace Episcopal Church — Grace Church and St. Stephen’s Parish.”

This Palm Sunday service, however, was unfolding at Colorado College’s Shove Chapel, three blocks away from Grace Church. About 250 people attended the 1 p.m. service organized for Grace members who wish to retain ties to the Episcopal Church that were severed last week by the Grace vestry. Many said they came to worship God, not be distracted by controversy.

“The church is not a building,” said Bill Hinkle, who was confirmed and married at Grace Church.

“I’ve been Episcopal for some years, and I want to support that,” said Bruce Barton, who sings tenor in the choir. the rest