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ALTAIR — At 90 years old, the Rev. Edward Glover has witnessed plenty of milestones in his lifetime. But on Saturday, Oct. 17, he celebrated one that left him feeling as though his feet had barely touched the ground.
“I’m still walking around on cloud nine,” Glover told those gathered at Altair Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. “I have seen a miracle performed.”
Church members, former pastors, family and friends gathered at the church on U.S. Highway 90 Alternate to celebrate the retirement of the mortgage on a building that represents decades of faith, hard work and community generosity.
For Glover, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, the occasion was about much more than paying off a loan.
“This church rose from the dust,” he told the congregation. “Being able to retire the mortgage on the building is a historic event. We asked, God answered and the work continues.”
A CHURCH BUILT ON FAITH
Wesley Chapel’s roots stretch back more than a century, when a small church was organized in Altair.
The original building was destroyed by a storm in 1932. A few years later, a new church was constructed on the same lot through the efforts of J.T. Ward, Edward Dancy and other members of the community. Generations worshiped there before the congregation began discussing the possibility of building a new sanctuary.
On Dec. 4, 2006, then-pastor the Rev. Charles Purnell Jr. and church members began laying the groundwork for a new building that would retain the Wesley Chapel name.
Church treasurer Mary Nightingale recalled the excitement surrounding the first contribution to the building fund — a check for $100.
Purnell envisioned the project as a community effort, welcoming participation from people beyond the congregation. Only committee chairpersons were required to be church members. The effort eventually grew into a project supported by volunteers, local organizations and donors.
Demolition of the old building was completed with significant assistance from Edward Glover, Earnest Glover, Samuel Nightingale, Malcom Thomas, the Eagle Lake Fire Department and the Lower Colorado River Authority.
Rev. Zettie Woodson was recognized for helping arrange the purchase of additional land to accommodate the church’s future growth. Dorothy Leyendecker was also acknowledged for donating property to the church.
After years of planning, fundraising and construction, the congregation held its first service in the new sanctuary on Jan. 12, 2014.
Glover became pastor May 9, 2014, just months after the new church opened. Under his leadership, church membership increased, and worship services expanded from every other week to weekly gatherings.
MORE THAN A BUILDING
The congregation’s commitment to its church extended well beyond Sunday services. Through the years, Wesley Chapel became known for its platesale fundraisers, with meals ranging from fried catfish and pork chops to fried tripe. The meals drew crowds and helped raise money toward the church’s financial obligations.
Behind each fundraiser were hours of cooking, preparation, and volunteer labor. Rev. Robert C. Waddle, a former Wesley Chapel pastor, recalled those long days of preparation during Saturday’s ceremony.
“These faithful folks here in Altair had the faith of a mustard seed,” Waddle said.
“It was all a labor of love. Everyone was faithful and nobody complained. It was good fellowship. That’s why these walls are full of love.”
The congregation also expanded its outreach efforts, visiting patients in hospitals and residents in nursing homes, feeding community members, hosting Vacation Bible School and providing Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets and toys for children.
For over three years, Wesley Chapel also shared its sanctuary with another local congregation, House of Worship, led by the Rev. Raul Olvera, which rented space in the building.
Rev. Ronald Glover, nephew of Edward Glover, praised his uncle, his aunt Mary and the congregation for their perseverance.
“I’m proud of the commitment and dedication of my Uncle Edward and Aunt Mary, and the members of this church,” he said. “You are all seeing what faith in God can do. You all are an inspiration.”
Community member Jessie Banks reflected on the relationships that have sustained Wesley Chapel.
“My friends and neighbors are in this church,” Banks said. “God doesn’t count numbers; He makes numbers count.”
Rev. Willie Mae Williams said she was “glad God has kept Pastor Glover to be here for this historic occasion and to celebrate his 90th birthday.”
A FINANCIAL BURDEN LIFTED
Despite years of faithful fundraising and community support, the church faced a difficult financial situation as recently as last year. Glover recalled that the congregation was preparing to draw from its escrow funds to cover mortgage payments for another year. Then, unexpected donations began arriving.
“We were ready to take the money out of escrow to pay the mortgage for a year,” Glover said. “Well, then we had anonymous donations come in, and it all happened so quickly.”
The church had owed approximately $140,000, according to Glover.
“People have worked so hard and been so faithful,” he said. “We are just so grateful because this will allow us to do even more for God now.”
On Aug. 19, the church made its final mortgage payment, officially becoming debt-free. At the time, Glover expressed his gratitude in a statement published by the Colorado County Citizen.
“This blessing lifts a great burden from our congregation and helps us secure the future of our church building,” he said. The financial milestone also allows Wesley Chapel to turn its attention to other needs, including parking lot improvements and ongoing bui lding maintenance.
“We can now move forward with other important needs, including improvements to our parking lot and continued church maintenance,” Glover said. “May God bless each of you for your generosity and love.”
A MOMENT TO REMEMBER
Saturday’s celebration brought together generations of church members and supporters, including members of the Glover family, whose ties to Wesley Chapel extend back to its early years.
Edward Glover’s sister, Mary Nightingale, serves as church treasurer, while his younger brother, Gene Glover, serves as finance chair.
During the ceremony, Gene Glover presented the mortgage to his brother for its ceremonial retirement.
The congregation then gathered outside on the church’s back patio, where Edward Glover, Gene Glover, Jerome Emmel and Rev. James Bryant burned the mortgage as those in attendance looked on.
For Glover, the burning was both a celebration of the past and a reminder of the congregation’s responsibility to future generations.
“This mortgage burning is symbolic for us. It’s our memorial, to remember,” he said. “It says to our children and to the community, ‘Steep hills, but God made a way.’” He thanked the many people whose contributions made the day possible, from donors and volunteers to the cooks, musicians, ushers, cleaners, prayer warriors and teachers who helped sustain the congregation.
“We thank and honor everyone who has been a part of the Wesley Chapel journey,” he said, recognizing those who supported the church as its ministry reached beyond the sanctuary walls.
With the mortgage retired, Glover said the congregation can devote more of its resources to serving others.
“A debt has ended, but our discipleship has not,” he said. “A reduction in debt means we have even more opportunity to be of service in the community.”
And after more than a century of worship, rebuilding, fundraising and service, Glover made clear that Wesley Chapel’s work is far from finished.
“Elders, neighbors, children — we serve humbly,” he said. “The greatest among us is a servant.”
