A Short History of the Aztec Presbyterian Church
This short history has been compiled by Joan Wallace from the history written by Nellie M. Randlemon.  A special thank you to Hans and Dorothy Doerfert for sharing their memories of Jan and Ed Spence.  Thanks also go to Peter and Kitty Doerfert and Susan and Joe Sayre for their memories of Jeff and Laura Finch.  We also want to thank Donna Hare and Ella Ann Spargo for addition information about the early years of the congregation.

On February 3, 1889, the Aztec Presbyterian Church was officially chartered.  The organizing pastor was S. D. Fulton, a missionary who was responsible for laying the foundation for many New Mexico churches.  On July 15 of that same year, Block 51 from the town of Aztec was deeded to the church.  The directors, who had been elected in February adopted a seal with the inscription A.P.C.  It was voted to mortgage the block of ground to the Board of Church Erection, United States of America for $750.00.  The block was again mortgaged in March of 1890 for $600.00, making a total of $1350.00.
The church was built of adobe blocks made from native mud and worth $6.00 per thousand and with timbers from the mountains of Colorado.  Aztec=s Ahomesteaders@ of all denominations were instrumental in building the structure.  The church bell was a gift from a church in Durango.  The church dedication found the entire community welcomed at a Abasket@ luncheon. 
The Ladies= Aid Society was formed in1900.  The women were truly the backbone of the church, nourishing it through its early struggles.  Since no permanent ministers were available, the women helped find part time pastors, raised money to pay them, helped pay for coal and did most of the janitorial work. The following is an account of an event sponsored by the Ladies= Aid Society in 1902:
AThe lawn social given by the Ladies= Aid Society of the Aztec Presbyterian Church at the residence of Dr. L.A. Harris proved to be a social success.  It was probably the largest crowd that has ever been assembled here on an occasion of this kind.  A very interesting program was rendered.  The sum of $40.00 was realized above all expenses to be used for improvements on the church building in Aztec.@
By 1906 there were 29 members of the society who in four years made $600.00 from socials, suppers and entertainment.   (A rather insignificant amount when compared to what the bazaars sponsored by our Homesteaders bring in annually!  But consider that the year was 1906, and the ladies were limited in what they could do.  It would be a treasure to own one of their early quilts.)
Those early years saw church services cancelled because of diphtheria outbreaks, visiting committees formed to call on new arrivals, an auction rummage sale held on Main Street to help meet church expenses, a violin recital held in the church, and an oyster supper though who knows where they got the oysters.  There were Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year=s dinners to which the community was invited, and it responded with hearty appetites.  A boys club was organized by Rev. W. H. Selheim.  Its goal was to provide wholesome entertainment for the youth of Aztec.  One of the activities of the club was a jaunt to the Aztec Ruins.  There was also the organization of a Junior Christian Endeavor Society under the leadership of a pastor=s wife.  The Aztec School District even requested that the church house the 7th and 8th grade classes for a time.  Though struggling, our church played an active role in the growth of Aztec.
Pastors of the early church were Sunday School missionaries and other supplies who remained for brief periods.  Occasionally there might be one who served for as much as two years.  In these instances they would probably pastor two churches, perhaps Aztec and Flora Vista or Aztec and Farmington.
One of our early pastors was a Rev. Fifield who led a rather strenuous life.  He taught in a large school five miles from his home five days a week (I=m not sure how large.), conducted church services at two different points with twenty miles of rough mountain road between them, and taught a Sunday School class at still another site.  He covered this territory by riding in a buggy driven by a team of rather lively bay horses.  In addition he kept up work on his homestead and took care of his invalid wife.
In addition to Rev. Fifield and the many missionaries who are unnamed the following are listed as early pastors or visiting clergy:
S. D. Fulton - 1889
John Gass, general missionary for New Mexico and Arizona
W. H. Selheim - 1907-1910
W. B. Minton - 1910
James A. Armstrong - 1914-1917
J. W. Carlstrom - 1917
For a number of years the church saw little or no growth.  This was especially true in the thirties and through the early forties, as is evident by the lack of any meetings on record from November 11, 1938 to the fall of 1946.
In the fall of 1944 Rev. R. E. McCluggage began serving the San Juan Basin as a Sunday School missionary, reaching out to several churches in the area, including ours.  Seven ladies had been meeting in the back room of the church (shades of Friday craft sessions), but there were no other activities...no organizations, no officers.  In the spring worship services were held irregularly on some Sunday afternoons, the only time available in Rev. McCluggage=s hectic schedule.  In the fall he preached on the second Sunday morning of the month.  With the help of a returning missionary from Guatemala who was working in Durango, services were then held each Sunday morning.  The church was officially reorganized on October 21, 1945.
In September, 1950, Rev. McCluggage accepted a call to a mission field in Alaska.  The roll call of ministers from 1950 through February 19, 1978, includes the following: Donald D. Edwards, Kenneth Newell, our first full time salaried minister, W. S. Ickler, Edward Peacock, William B. Burke, and Lee E. Corey, all of whom were installed ministers.  Highlights from their years are shared below.
During the oil boom, worship and Sunday School attendance increased.  A Women=s Association was formed when Rev. Newell was our pastor as was the Mariners, a social gathering of married couples.  After Rev. Spence retired, Rev. Newell presented a resume to the committee searching for a new pastor.  He was hoping to retire from the church at which he had started years before.
Rev. Ickler joined us in 1957 and chose to live in the manse across the street from the church.  During his tenure, he frequently substituted in the Aztec schools.  Mrs. Ickler created eight full church windows to resemble 13th century stained glass for our sanctuary.  She spent many hours in studying the technique of the art before beginning her task.  The window in the parlor is a testament to her God-given talent and her dedication.  (An aside: the money Rev. Ickler received when officiating at marriages was Ahat@ money.  It was passed on to his wife who then purchased hats.)  Unfortunately, the doors to our church were first locked when Rev. Ickler was pastor since several items of value were stolen.  Before this, the church was left open to provide warmth and shelter to the homeless who often slept among the choir robes.  Rev. Ickler moved on in 1963 perhaps holding true to his belief that no pastor should remain with one church more than five years.  To do so would mean that he had lost his effectiveness.
Ours was the first post for Rev. Peacock who came to us from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1964.  He was wheelchair bound as a result of polio suffered earlier in life.  Under his leadership, the church became the Aztec United Presbyterian Church in 1964 (The adjective united has since been dropped.).  A church pantry was established where canned goods and clothing were stored for those in need and for missionary distribution.  He headed a volunteer corps of workers interested in social and vocational rehabilitation for the visually handicapped.  It perhaps should be noted that he was a fast driver, having once received a speeding ticket while returning from a presbytery meeting.
Rev. Burke was our minister from 1967 to 1973 when he retired because of poor health, and Rev. and Mrs. Corey (1976) were killed in a plane accident in the winter of 1976 upon returning from a visit with their son who was attending school in Roswell.          
Interim pastors in recent years include Sylvan Poet, Lars Hamerson, and most recently, Stephen W. Smith.  Rev. Poet was distinguished with a head of silver hair and a delightful French accent.  He once stated, AI can say anything I want to say, and you can=t get rid of me.@  A quote from Rev. Hamerson offered an interesting view of an interim=s position: AA permanent pastor is married to the congregation.  Interim pastors just have an affair.@  Steve has recently accepted a call to the Bayfield, Co., Presbyterian Church. 
The Ladies Aid served as the Board of Trustees in the years there were no ministers.  They invited pastors and missionaries to fill the pulpit.  One of these was a Baptist minister, Rev. Painton, who was invited to preach at an Easter service.  He was greeted with a sanctuary overflowing with flowers and a canary adding its song to the service. The ladies held food sales at Don Gays= grocery store about once a month with such items as baked chickens, pies and cakes for sale.  Rev. Ickler finally convinced the women it would be more appropriate to discontinue the sales and to use the offering plate with each contributing as he/she could. 
During the church remodeling the youth were successful when visiting elder inactive members seeking donations to lay hardwood floors.  (In the process of sanding the floor an overheated defective sander burned a hole in the floor.  It had to be filled with wood filler and polished.  Insurance money from this accident was used to paint the sanctuary.)
Rev. Ickler obtained a 24 x 82 steel building and an additional 20 x 20 foot structure that was remodeled for educational purposes.  This was surplus property from the Navajo Dam project.  Heating, air-conditioning and plumbing were added to make the building more serviceable and comfortable.  For approximately $6,000.00 the church had an addition estimated at $30,000.00 in value.  That building exists today, somewhere between Aztec and Flora Vista. 
The mortgage was finally paid off in 1962 and in November, 1963, a harvest dinner was held to celebrate the burning of the mortgage and to commemorate the dedication of the Christian Education Building (Mortgage money totaling $1,350.00 came from the church=s Board of National Missions in 1889 and 1890.)
The salary package for our minister in 1967 was $5,800.00; the choice of $100.00 per month as a housing allowance or free use of the manse; full pension requisite; telephone service except for personal long distance calls; and 30 days of vacation a year. 
Rev. Edward E. Spence was installed as pastor of our church on February 1, 1978.  Thus began over 13 years of spiritual guidance from a man who became a friend to all.  Before joining us, Rev. Spence was pastor to a church in Saginaw, Michigan and one in Canon City, Colorado.  He received a master=s degree in divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1968 in the Presbytery of Santa Fe.
There are many highlights of Ed=s years to share.  One of the most significant was the centennial celebration of the founding of the Church of the Pioneers.  The following are a few of the events of this memorable year.  In January, 1989, Rev. Kenneth Hall, the Moderator of the General Assembly was welcomed.  The cost of his room at the Holiday Inn was $54.89.  On February 5 the service commemorating the beginning of the church had to be postponed because of a snowstorm.  It was held later in the month.  Also in that month the church bell was rung 100 times to honor the occasion.  Fortunately, it was rung at 4:30 p.m., not 2:00 a.m.  (Hans Doerfert helped with the ringing as I=m sure many of you did.)  There was a float in the Fiesta Day parade that year.  The last of the events of celebration was an August picnic with fun and games for all.
The groundbreaking of the new fellowship hall and education wing took place on July 29, 1990, near the end of Rev. Spence=s tenure with us.  The addition was built as a cost of $240,000.00 and was similar in design to that of the original church.  Wayne Hare was project supervisor with many members of the church offering helping hands.  The dedication of the addition was scheduled for February 3, 199l.  Our fellowship hall is officially Spence Hall.
In 1986, the Aztec Chamber of Commerce named Ed their Aman of the year.@  He had truly become a part of the community.  For instance, he was instrumental in starting a Kids= Club.  It met on Wednesday evenings and had an active membership for a number of years.  Ed probably considered this to be one of his and the church=s  most important achievements as he reached out to the youth of the community.
We had been meeting with the Methodists for Vacation Bible School for a number of years.  In 1989, Rev. Spence encouraged us to start our own Bible School.  The first one certainly had fewer pupils enrolled, but it was a success nonetheless.  His wife Jan prepared craft projects for the youngsters in both VBS and Sunday School and helped them complete their tasks.  Ed would play the trumpet for the children and lead them in singing as well.
As far as I can determine, the yellow pads were circulated during the Spence years.  A family in the community had lost a home in a fire and the infamous Ayellow pad@ was circulated as the congregation sought to help them.     
The food bank was revived and a church library established.  During this time several members of the congregation began to prepare and serve food at Daily Bread.
The church banner was dedicated in 1988 and may be seen in the fellowship hall on November 5 at our potluck following worship. 
Ed and Jan, together with their children, Tracy and Steve, lived across the street from Hans and Dorothy Doerfert in what could have been considered the church manse since so many of our pastors lived there.  Each year Ed would supply Hans with bags of leaves which served as mulch for his garden.  Unfortunately, there was an instance when a tree fell on the Spence automobile.  (Tracy was a track star.  It is possible that the trophy she won is still among those on display at Aztec High.)
Ed=s last worship service with us was August 18, 199l.  From Aztec he went to Chandler, Arizona.
The Reverends Jeffrey and Laura Finch were installed on August 30, 1992 and were with us until July, 2003.  They had been ordained by the presbytery of Grand Canyon.  The pair worked well as a pastoral team, adding much to the spiritual growth of our church.  Jeff was the listener and counselor.  Many considered him a Ateddy bear@ who gave hugs when most needed.  In truth, he would rather hug than give a handshake.  He offered personal care to so many in the congregation.  Laura was the practical one who kept her husband grounded.  She was involved in the Christian Education programs of the church...from Sunday School to Vacation Bible School.
Jeff and Laura were talented musically with Jeff often playing the guitar in summer worship services and for the Youth Club.  One of the favorites of the young people was Proud Mary which was requested at almost every meeting and which he sang and played with gusto.  In the summer the pair had fun teaching a class in Country and Western Music and Short Ladder Theology at Ghost Ranch.  (Sorry, I=m not sure what Short Ladder Theology is.)  Both children inherited their parents= musical talent, Jessie with her voice and Seth on playing the saxophone.
Jeff enjoyed fly fishing though I=m not sure how much he caught.  He did take the youth on camp-outs, one of which was to Shriners Park at Navajo Dam.  There was probably fishing there as well as singing around the campfire.
Jeff was quite active in the Ministerial Alliance early in his ministry and was instrumental in the choir=s participation in Easter sunrise services at Aztec Ruins.  Unfortunately, Aztec saw an influx of new ministers, and with different personalities involved, there was a loss of interest in the alliance.
Laura was a potter and was qualified to teach art.  The cup, pitcher and plate used in many of our communion services were her gifts to the congregation.  There were also several pieces of pottery added to the articles sold or raffled at the Homesteaders= bazaar.
When the Presbyterian Church in Allison, Colorado, needed a pastor, Jeff and Laura were given permission by our session to serve both churches.  This worked well from November of 1995 until they left B even with the occasional snowstorm.
The loan from Citizens Bank for the Christian Education wing and Spence Fellowship Hall additions was paid in full.  It had been a 15 year note but was retired after five years.  In 1999 restoration and renovation of the sanctuary began, and the congregation met for worship services in Spence Fellowship Hall.  Walls were put up in the basement thus dividing it into classrooms.   Pioneer Park was created between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall, the patio beside the side entrance to the church was dedicated to Dr. Kenneth Roberts, and the parking lot was improved.
The higher education fund was established when Jeff and Laura were pastors.  Any member of the church could apply for an interest free loan to a college or vocational school.  Several of our young people have taken advantage of the loan.
Session voted to express appreciation to Bev Farley and Janie Benfield by granting their request to attend the Presbyterian Association of Musicians on Worship and Music Conference in Albuquerque from July 16 through 22, 1995.  The cost was $606.00.
Both Jeff and Laura possessed a good sense of humor.  Jeff had a truck named the Beast which needed a new license plate.  When the clerk saw that the plate number Jeff was to receive was 666, he said he simply couldn’t give him that number.  To which Rev. Finch replied, AI=m a minister, and I can handle that.@
I=m not sure they considered it a humorous thing, but they shocked the neighborhood when they painted their house blue.  The Finch family often had parties in their blue house.
When contacted, Laura stated that one of the most important remembrances she had of the time spent in Aztec was simply becoming a part of the church family....that there was the powerful presence of Christ in working together.  She appreciated the fact that their children were readily accepted, not only Seth and Jessie but Celeste as well.  The church presented Christ to the community, and both she and Jeff did not realize how difficult it would be leave the area.  They had made so many friends...and so many memories.
Rev. Dwain De Pew comes to us from the Firestone Park Presbyterian Church in Akron, Ohio where he was pastor from 1986 until he joined us in 2004.  He received his Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia and was ordained on October 5, 1980 in Greensburg, Kentucky.  He served as pastor of Greensburg and Ebenezer Presbyterian Churches for a little over six years.  During those years he was very involved in the Green County Ministerial Association as secretary, vice-president, and president.  His most memorable work there included involving the African American congregations in the county in community worship services.
In Hamilton, Illinois, Dwain was pastor of the Bethel Presbyterian Church.  Both he and Neva became involved with work camps at the senior high level and junior/junior high camps.  Several of these were sponsored by their presbytery and involved summer trips to Colorado and South Dakota.  He hopes to see an active youth group with interest in work camps in our future.
Presently, Dwain is working to continue the Ministerial Alliance where the churches of the community will work together in such events as the sunrise services at Aztec Ruins.  He is also a member of Kiwanis and has readily participated in the church=s blood drive.
As Martha will attest, Dwain works well with the computer.  The church has a new computer program and though it has been a challenge at times, it would seem there is little that our pastor cannot teach Martha to do.
For those of you who are worshiping with us for the first time today, Dwain is an avid fan of our national past time, baseball, specifically the St. Louis Cardinals.  If the Cardinals win an important game, Neva urges him to go into the backyard.  His enthusiasm rattles the plates in the kitchen cupboard and causes pictures on the walls to vibrate.  He has coached t-ball, Pee-Wee League, Little League, Pony League, girls=softball teams, and for a couple of years volunteered his time to coach the Aztec High School baseball program.  
His wife Neva considers herself a musician for hire.  She is an accomplished and talented musician and has served as accompanist for our worship services and for those of the Farmington Presbyterian Church.  She adds her alto voice to our choir and works with Vacation Bible School in the summer.  Neva is currently teaching kindergarten at McCormick Elementary School.  In her spare time she gives piano lessons.  Dwain and Neva have three children, Eric, Lindsey and Kelley.
Below you will find a compilation of the figures from the Pastor=s Reports shared with the session at each of their meetings since Dwain first moderated one.  Please keep in mind that our previous pastors served in these areas as well.
Home and hospital calls - 169
Meetings for APC - 191
Meetings for Santa Fe Presbytery - 14
Meetings dealing with community needs - 27
Miles covered in service to APC - 5,430
There have been marriage and baptism counseling sessions as well as those dealing with other matters.  He has officiated at baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
And so we have Dwain.....a counselor, a teacher, a shepherd, a servant of God, a supporter, a listener, an empathizer -------------and our pastor.