Sunday morning in Colorado Springs

What could be better than waking up early on a sunny Sunday morning and hitting the highway to go somewhere for breakfast... That's what we did one Sunday a couple of weeks ago... When we left the small neighborhood restaurant, we grabbed a cup of hot chocolate and wandered aimlessly through the streets of the still sleepy city...

 

Walking around the town square, we discovered that small colorful details can make boring concrete blocks look quite beautiful ;)

The neighborhood along Tejon Street looked old and survived some hard times. Many of the houses we passed were well over 100 years old, and... we really enjoyed it.

A nice bird, don't you agree? ;)

Pikes Peak was covered in snow and visible through openings between the buildings. It dominates the area and always looks very attractive, even (or maybe especially) when it's hovering over the cityscape...

Nice murals and an amazing book store (Poor Richard's). We will definitely go there again next time :)

"Life is Cabernet"... love this!

The First Congregational Church was organized and founded in 1874 in conjunction with the founding of Colorado College.  The present building was completed in 1889 at an estimated cost of $40,000. Its design is in the Richardsonian Romanesque style and is constructed of Colorado Wall Mountain Tuft (rhyolite) quarried near Castle Rock, Colorado. The architect was Henry Rutgers Marshall of New York, acclaimed student of Henry Hobson Richardson.

The interior of the church is in the plan of a Greek cross with an octagonal dome rising above the north nave. The lower walls of the Sanctuary are paneled in light oak to match the pews with notable stained glass throughout. The original organ was designed by Hook and Hastings of Boston and is the oldest organ in continuous use in Colorado Springs.

Grace and Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church holds a rich history dating back to its founding in 1872. Over the years, the church has undergone several stages of development, resulting in the impressive building complex that stands today. The original structure, completed in 1895, continues to serve as the parish hall, reflecting the church's longstanding presence in the community.

One of the most notable features of Grace and Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church is its tower building, a striking architectural gem reminiscent of Magdalen College at Oxford University in England. Designed by renowned architects Frohman, Robb, and Little, who also contributed to notable projects such as Saint Thomas Church in New York City and the Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C., the tower building stands as a testament to their skill and vision. Completed in 1926, this iconic structure adds to the church's allure and grandeur.

Beyond its architectural significance, Grace and Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church serves as a spiritual and communal hub for its members and the broader community. With its rich history, diverse congregation, and commitment to faith and service, the church remains a cherished institution in Colorado Springs.

We slowly circled around, passing some old and weathered houses and headed back to the town square where we had left our car...

It was a nice walk, the streets were empty and we enjoyed fresh chilly air and bright blue sky. It's always nice to explore a new place before it really wakes up and people fill the streets... We decided that we would have to do it again later, but now we had a few more plans for this Sunday and it was time for us to move on to our next destination...

 The pictures were taken on March 02, 2025.