On February 12 of 1950 seven adults attended a meeting in Adams City, held at the home of Reverend and Mrs. Noah Gill. The group met to organize a Christian church. Present were Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Adams, and their two children, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Campbell, Mrs. Eckert and the Gills. Reverend Gill was active in the Boy Scouts and in civic work in the communities of Derby and Adams City.

One week later the first Sunday service for the newly organized church was held in the home of Pastor and Mrs. Gill. The name that the members picked was "First Christian Church of South Adams County" and it was incorporated on April 30 of 1950. Services were held in the Gill home until June 25 of that year when the church moved to the old Derby School at 72nd and Monaco Streets. On that day 20 people attended Sunday School. Today an Adams County Library stands where the Derby School was once located. Old albums, yellowed with age, hold pictures and newspaper clippings of the little church, telling the story of the plentiful times and the lean times. The members raised their children and worked hard as they built the church and worshipped the Lord. Years later in 1966, one of those organizers, Major Kenneth Adams wrote a letter from Vietnam, to First Christian church. Major Adams said his letter was paying a visit "from the past," and in that letter he gave some history. He said that Rev. Gill had served in a church at Alda, Colorado until he moved into the Derby area. Rev. Gill hoped before his death to build a Christian Church. At the time Major Adams and his wife, Rev. Gill and his wife began prayer meetings in the Gill home. The group grew and they met in the school basement. After that Major Adams was called to active duty in Korea and later served in Vietnam. In 1951 there were 100 enrolled in the Sunday school. At that time the members took a leap of faith and decided to construct a church building. Property was purchased on 69th and Leyden Streets from Steve Orlosky. The lot cost $1600. Ground breaking dedication took place on April 27 of 1952.

In 1952 a woman's group called the Christian Builders was formed. Church historians recorded pictures and cards from baby showers, weddings, funerals, revivals, and special concerts. A silent auction, bazaar and bake sale was held, to help the funds for the church.

Before the new building was completed tragedy struck and their leader, Noah R. Gill passed away on March 19, 1953. The Adams County Almanac carried a photo of men and boys working side by side, donating their time to finish the building of the First Christian Church of Derby in memory of Reverend. In June of 1953 Pastor W. E. Goings took over the leadership and the church was finished. Dedication services were held in November. Pastor Goings left the church in March of 1954. Brother Logan Cox who stayed until November of that year replaced him. The church in the1950's purchased a piano. A few years later Walter Palmer Sr. wrote to the Molly Mayfield Foundation and another piano was donated by that organization.

On January 14, 1956 a three-room addition was added on the north side of the church. The nursery and rooms for Sunday School were located in that section. Pastor Bob West came to minister to the church in January of 1960 and stayed until Nov. of 1961. Clarence Herrin took his place. On September 20 of 1961 a parsonage at 7910 Newport was purchased. Pastor Herrin was the first full time preacher to live in that parsonage. An addition to the church, rooms that would be used as a fellowship hall and Sunday School rooms, was built on the south side in October of 1961. The women in Christian Builders helped sponsor Lewis Palmer at the Nebraska Christian College. Baby showers and bridal showers were given. They sewed for cancer patients, bought songbooks, gave to missionaries and had ice cream socials. Fund raising projects included selling plates painted by the women. They gave baskets to needy families and took stockings at Christmas to the Colorado Christian Home. Vacation Bible Schools were held and cookies sent to the kids at the Laradon Hall. The women donated to Harry Scaates a missionary in Brasilia, Brazil. They sponsored Valentine banquets, Mother-Daughter and Father-son banquets. Pastor Herrin left the church in August of 1964 and Jim Ewing, a graduate of Nebraska Christian College, came to the church soon thereafter. Another lot was purchased at 6880 Leyden in 1968. An Army barracks was moved onto the lot and a basement and two storied rooms constructed to serve as a new parsonage. In 1969 Pastor Ewing married Karon Lee Lamb. That same year bonds were being sold to pay for needed remodeling of the church. The hard working members moved everything into the Rose Hill Grange to temporary hold services there while improvement was going on. In 1970 a rededication took place and worship resumed in the newly rebuilt and refurbished church. Pastor Ewing left the church and a farewell party was held on April 9, 1971.

Derrel Baker, a graduate of the Intermountain Bible College, preached on a part time basis from May 2, 1971 until December 18, 1972. A student at Iliff School of Theology, Brother Calvin Ammerman served the church for three years. Bernie Piper was full time pastor from December 24, 1972 to August 18, 1974. Clifford Hazard came in September 15, 1974 and stayed until April of 1986.

Tony Johnson came in April of 1986 and is currently the pastor and leader of the church. The name was changed to Eagle's Nest Christian Fellowship in 1998.

(Eagles' Nest Christian Fellowship now has a website. Their web address is: www.geocities.com/Heartland/Trail/1492. E Mail address is: [email protected].)