One church started under a tree. The other started with a DVD. Between them -- 150 years. Though a chunk of history separates Denver's oldest and newest churches, both are plunging into Christmas with vigor and passion — proving that tradition and innovation can each, in their own way, be timeless. Here are their stories:

Trinity United Methodist

Founded 1859

Senior Pastor Michael Dent of Trinity United Methodist good-naturedly corrects the record: "We're not the oldest church - we're the first church."

The distinction is important to Trinity, which wants to be known both for its traditions and its modern-day relevance.

As it steps up to its 150th anniversary next year, Trinity is still drawing people from all over the metro area to its soaring Gothic spires at 18th Street and Broadway.

Especially at Christmas time, Trinity specializes in bringing people together. Since Advent, the sanctuary has been regularly packed for concerts and recitals. One attraction is its nationally renowned 4,202-pipe organ. On Christmas Eve, Trinity added a first-ever noon service (for a total of five) to reach out to downtown workers and travelers.

"Gifts That Last" is its Christmas theme. When the world - and the economy - fail, there is still hope, joy and peace. (see trinityumc.org).

Few churches match Trinity for its burnished, gleaming history. The pulpit was donated in 1888 by the pastor - later, governor - Henry Buchtel. His inauguration was held in the sanctuary. It's a long way from Trinity's legendary first gathering place, under a tree in LoDo, nearly 20 years before Colorado became a state.

For those on the fringe of today's society, Trinity has pioneered many outreach programs. One is Turnabout, a ministry to help ex-offenders readjust to society. And despite the dicey times, "people have really stepped up in this economic downturn," the pastor says. "Call it extravagant generosity."

Trinity also attributes its staying power to keeping its Christian faith both strong and relevant, Dent says: "We call it traditional worship for contemporary people."

But even the vigorous Trinity went through a slump. In the late 1970s it nearly collapsed as members fled to the suburbs. Now it draws 1,900 members from all over the metro area.

The key: "You have to have something that's so much better than the six churches people drive by to get here," says Lynn Willcockson, chairman of the board of trustees. The answer is meaningful worship - "and programs that reach out to people," she says. "There's just something about the way we do it."

Providence Bible Church

Founded 2008

Denver's newest church was founded by a group of unemployed folks, led by a pastor who once was "a scorner of the word of God."

Providence Bible Church is a multiethnic congregation launched 12 weeks ago in Five Points. Using the media-savvy instincts of his generation, Pastor Jason Janz, 35, spent early donations on creating a DVD to tell Providence's story.

The one-time rebel knew what kind of church he wanted: "Could there be a church which had people from all different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds worshipping together, just like in the New Testament?"

Janz put the idea to about eight supporters, all jobless, "whose only resources were their time and hearts."

That was enough. This Christmas season, Providence is welcoming about 175 worshippers, including blacks, whites, Hispanics; wealthy people, the poor; even ex-offenders. (For details, see ProvidenceDenver.org.)

To celebrate the season, homeless church members share family dinners with other members.

"But this is important," Janz says. "The poor aren't a project - they're our friends, they are us. This isn't a homeless person having dinner with you - this is Sam having dinner with you."

For its first Christmas project, Providence launched the Stuff Campaign, asking members to give up treasures they'd much rather keep - like skis, TVs, iPods and bikes. One member donated her $1,200 diamond bracelet. The money from the sale of people's "stuff," will be spent on the church's poor, an orphanage in India and the Denver Rescue Mission.

As Janz puts it, "It's much more blessed to give than to receive. This is how we do Christmas."

Janz radiates middle-class stability, but he grew up poor. In the 1980s, the family's flooring business in Wisconsin failed and the Janzes started over in Colorado. His dad began a transportation ministry to help poor kids get to church. "That's what planted the seed in me to do city ministry," Janz says.

But he needed a church. Eventually, he discovered Central Baptist Church at 24th and California streets. The black congregation had just built a new worship center. Down the hall, the original church sat empty, dim and decrepit. Perfect.

Providence raised $40,000, and with the help of 100-plus volunteers, restored the old sanctuary to the original, graceful simplicity of the 1920s.

"My parent's generation wanted everything nice, clean and slick," Janz says. "My generation longs for history. We want something with roots in it."

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