Our History
On June 2 1979, four Windsor area families who had been meeting in a home Bible study came together in Main Park to discuss the possibilities of beginning an Evangelical Free Church in Windsor. A fifth couple joined the group and a unanimous vote was cast to start a church. Temporary officers were elected and committee chairmen named, and on September 2, 1979 the first church service was held in an empty storefront at the Carousel Shopping Center. About a month later, the storefront was rented, but the renter allowed the congregation to rent from them and use the space on Sundays.
The Rev. Lonnie Ott was called as a part-time pastor on October 1, 1979, becoming the full-time pastor on April 13, 1980. The Church was officially recognized as an Evangelical Free Church by the Rocky Mountain District of the Evangelical Free Church of America on April 23, 1980 and elected its first officers on May 4. A subsidy from the District was accepted for a short time, but the congregation soon became self supporting. Later that year, the Carousel Shopping Center fell into bankruptcy; the Church was allowed to continue using the facility, paying only for utilities. When in November the building was nearly gutted to satisfy bankruptcy proceedings, the congregation came together and made the facility usable again without missing a Sunday service. Growth was evident. On July 15, 1981, Pastor Ott resigned and Steve Smith became the part-time Interim Pastor. The Rev. Peter Olson was called to be the Church's full-time pastor on January 18, 1982 and immediately accepted.
Rev Olson resigned as pastor on September 17, 1984; many church members were discouraged and left the fellowship. Although the Church was in financial difficulty, those remaining determined to pay Pastor Olson's salary for three months and keep their missionary commitments. A subsidy from the District was again received for a short time, and Dr. Dick Troup served as Interim Pastor until May 19, 1985. But despite Dr. Troup's efforts, discouragement was apparent and attendance dropped dramatically.
On May 26, 1985, the congregation voted to dissolve the Evangelical Free Church of Windsor. The motion was tabled and Sunday services discontinued; a small group agreed to meet with Rev. Leroy K. Grimm, then the Rocky Mountain District Superintendent. Previous missionary commitments and rent on the shopping center facilities were continued and a vote was scheduled for the fall. The motion to dissolve the Church was presented on August 28, 1985 and was passed. The Evangelical Free Church of Windsor ceased to exist for a few minutes. Pastor Grimm then challenged the nine people remaining to commit themselves anew to an Evangelical Free Church in Windsor. The motion passed and temporary officers were elected. Shortly afterward, Pastor Rodney L. Carlson began meeting with the group in a Bible study and with a steering committee of men selected from other area Free Churches to help get the Church back on track. A Sunday morning worship service was once again offered to the community on October 6, 1985. The congregation voted unanimously on January 12, 1986 to continue and begin public services again at the former Carousel Shopping Center site under Pastor Carlson's leadership. On May 19, 1991, an ordination and commissioning service led by District Superintendent Leroy Grimm was held for Pastor Carlson and his wife Paula. He pastored this congregation through September 25th, 2022.
Yes, the Lord has truly blessed the Evangelical Free Church of Windsor, as we seek to love, nurture and guide individuals to a lifelong commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ through every occasion, event and program. The congregation actively seeks to glorify God in all it does and reflecting Christ's character with His priorities our highest goal as we live out our mission statement: "A Christ centered church: rooted in the Word, praying together, caring for others, sharing the Good News."