During the early 1870’s, Alexander Darley and his brother George were missionary pastors in the San Juans.  In 1876 Alexander called for a meeting at Brockett’s Block in Lake City to discuss the establishment of a new church.  Several days earlier Alexander and his brother George had arrived in the young mining town with the intention of building the first church on Colorado’s Western Slope.  Rev. Darley spent two and a half days securing names on a petition to send to the Presbytery asking for the organization of a Presbyterian church in Lake City.  Fifteen charter members, representing six different denominations, were elected as elders and deacons and it was decided to build a church as soon as possible.  Since only three of the first members were Presbyterians, it was established as the first Protestant house of worship on the Western Slope.  The church was built before the town’s courthouse or school building and achieved Darley’s dream of establishing the first church on the Western Slope.

George M. Darley was also a carpenter.  He began work on the 20x40’ frame building in August of 1876 and it was dedicated on November 18, 1876.  The sanctuary was built facing north and was to be replaced with a stone building facing Gunnison Avenue to the east as Lake City grew.  In 1879, George was the principal carpenter of the building of the Carpenter Victorian style Manse, then prevalent in Lake City.  The Manse still houses the pastor and his family.  A steeple and belfry were added in 1882 and a bell was brought from New Jersey.  Electricity was installed in 1891.  Both the church and the manse are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

George stayed on to lead the young church and was officially ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1877.  He left Lake City in 1880 to fill pastorates in Del Norte, Denver, Ouray, Delta and Walsenburg, as well as Springvale, UT.  The years following his departure saw fluctuations in life in Colorado mining towns.  Membership in the church reached its all-time high of 130 by 1889.  By the turn of the century, a decline in mining led to a drop in Lake City’s population.  In 1903 the Federal Government went off the silver standard and Lake City became a virtual ghost town.  By 1922, church membership had dropped to 32.  During these difficult years other churches in town were forced to close and Community Presbyterian held interdenominational services often led by student ministers in the summer.

In the late 1920’s the area was discovered by outdoorsmen from Texas.  Lake City’s beauty soon attracted visitors from all over the US and tourist trade helped rebuild a stable community.  During the winters of 1940’s and 50’s, taped sermons were used, or sermons were read by H. G. Heath who lived next door.  In 1958, Williams Memorial Hall, a separate building for expanding church functions was built behind the church.  Darley Hall was built in 1978 to connect Williams Hall to the main church.  Memorial stained glass windows depicting the Seven Days of Creation were added in the sanctuary in 1981.  A pastor's office, fellowship hall, Sunday School room, restrooms, and a full kitchen were also added.  A nearby building, now called the Annex, was purchased for children's programs and community function.  The historic manse was remodeled with a large addition in 1987.

Over the years the church has been led by deeply dedicated men. From George Darley who walked across the San Juans to preach in Ouray mining camps, part-time pastors and students who helped out in the lean years, and Dr. Harold Parker who served the church as a supply pastor for twenty years until his retirement in 1989 to Jeffrey Light who was the first full-time pastor since the turn of the century, the church has persevered because of the faithfulness of the community.  Following Jeff, the church has been led by three full-time pastors Franklin Kaemingk, Norman Fowler, and John Guthrie.