Wild Plum, New Downtown Event, New Murals, Supporting Foothills Art Center by Eating, and Why that Building Looks Like a Church

*Golden Eye Candy – Jen Rutter – Wild Plum on the Mesa – click to enlarge*

COVID Updates

% of Jeffco residents (16+) who have received either one or both shots– source

Everyone 16 OR OLDER is eligible to get the vaccine.

Appointments to Get the COVID Vaccine
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PARK AND THE BALL ARENA BOTH HAVE DRIVE-THROUGH/WALK-UP CLINICS WITH NO APPOINTMENTS NEEDED. Learn more…. See other upcoming walk-up clinics…. State of Colorado’s Find Out Where You Can Get Vaccinated page | Lutheran Medical Center | JCPH Clinic in Arvada (70+ only) | www.vaccinespotter.org/CO/ Jefferson County Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center: 303-239-7000 | State Hotline to answer questions, including location of vaccine providers: 1-877-268-2926. It is staffed 24 hours a day

Jefferson County Case Summary:
Cases in Jeffco – Tues: 45,691 | Weds: 45,829 (+138)
Deaths in Jeffco – Tues: 802 | Weds: 805 (+3)
Currently Hospitalized in Jeffco – Tues: 56 | Weds: 58 (+3)
Recovered – Tues: 43,194 | Weds: 43,402 (+208)
Known Cases in Golden – Thurs: 1908 | Mon: 1929

Golden Testing Sites
Mines COVID Testing | Jeffco Fairgrounds COVID Testing

Virtual Events

9AM Public Art Commission
The Public Art Commission will consider four proposals from consulting groups who are offering to write the Public Art Master Plan. The meeting memo states the proposals contain a variety of approaches and fees. The proposals were sent to the commissioners but are not included in the packet. Nathan Richie from the Golden History Museum will tell the Commission about a new event that will begin this fall: [Au]tumnFest. “The festival will feature dozens of activities including arts, crafts and games, live music, a petting zoo, equestrian demonstrations by the Westernaires, live chalk art mural making, a Big Truck Zoo, cooking demonstrations, pumpkin patch, food trucks, beer garden and more!” The new event will take place on Saturday, September 25th. The Commission is looking for artists to create murals on the Golden Hotel and on the retaining wall at 19th and Washington. See the meeting packet for more information.

10-11:30AM Microsoft Word Basics
10-10:30AM Mid-Morning Meditation
10:15-10:45AM Preschool Time with the Library
3-5PM Hard Times Writing Workshop
6-7:30PM Golden United Housing Task Force Meeting – register
6-7PM Qs and Brews Trivia with the Library
2PM, 3PM, and 4PM Free Legal Clinic

Real World Events

11AM-9:30PM SHERPA HOUSE 10% DAY
518 Washington Avenue (map) – 303-278-7939
Get your lunch or dinner at Sherpa House and support Foothills Art Center all at the same time! Sherpa House Restaurant & Cultural Center has pledged 10% of proceeds to Foothills Art Center ALL DAY on Thursday May 6 and Thursday May 13 including dine in, take out and liquor.

LIVE MUSIC:
5PM Shawn Eckels at Golden Mill
6PM Open Pick Night at Over Yonder Brewing
8PM Karaoke at Rock Rest Lodge

Golden History Moment

Southeast view of the building – photo from Google Street View

You may have wondered about this building at 20th and Ford Street. It looks like a church, but many residents have never seen it used in that capacity.

*Photos from the May 6, 1965 Colorado Transcript – click to enlarge*

56 Years Ago
The May 6, 1965 Colorado Transcript reports on the dedication of the St. James Lutheran School. The church had been operating a school since 1946. At that time, they were located in a basement chapel at 8th and Washington. In 1947, the congregation and school moved to 20th and Ford. At that time, the new location was also a basement structure, which opened onto the parking lot on the west side. This was a common approach to building at that time: build a basement and occupy that until you can afford to build the above-ground part of a building.

*West side of the building as seen from Jackson St. The wing on the left was the school section. Photo from Google Street View*

In 1964, the congregation made plans to expand both the school and the church. A new wing was added, still at the basement level, for use by the school. According to the Golden History Museum, the upstairs chapel section was originally located at Camp Hale and was brought to Golden when the camp was decommissioned. I haven’t been able to find when that chapel was added.

In 1992, the St. James congregation merged with St. Luke’s of Lakewood. The combined churches became St. Paul Lutheran Church. They moved to Lakewood in 1997. Since that time, the building has served as a wedding chapel and an engineering firm. I believe the former school wing is now being used as part of the Islamic Center of Golden.

The Golden Transcript (originally called the Colorado Transcript) has been publishing since 1866. The Golden History Museum has been working on digitizing the historic issues. You’ll find old Transcripts online at coloradohistoricnewspapers.org.