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By Marlys Duran and Jean Torkelson Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writers
The resignation of a Columbine-area pastor capped a painful two-year period in which several hundred of his flock left because of unspecified issues involving his leadership. The Rev. Donald Marxhausen has said he resigned because of stress over the Columbine shootings and his congregation's lack of support when he reached out to the family of Dylan Klebold, one of the teen-age killers. Others disputed that explanation Thursday. "Never did a member of the congregation express any concern that he had spent time with the Klebold family," said David Cox, former president of the governing council at St. Philip Lutheran Church. Cox said members stood up and cheered Marxhausen the Sunday after the Columbine shootings when he asked for their support in reaching out to the Klebolds, who had formerly attended the church. Marxhausen later presided over Dylan Klebold's funeral service, which was held at a mortuary because the church was under construction. Marxhausen was not available for comment Thursday. Current council president Julia Cooley declined to talk about the issues that led to the resignation, which will be effective Aug. 27. "I can say that they have nothing to do with Columbine," Cooley said. "The congregation and the council supported Don's doing the Klebold funeral 100 percent." Church officials brought in a mediator for a day last month to try to resolve the strife between Marxhausen and the 900-member congregation. "The result was that Don is voluntarily resigning," Cooley said. The rift tore apart a congregation that once revered its burly, outspoken pastor. A standing-room-only crowd honored him in September 1997 on the 25th anniversary of his ordination. Cox said dissatisfaction in the church spread because of lackluster programming as well as personal issues with Marxhausen, but he declined to elaborate. Cox estimated about 240 people left last year and between 100 and 150 this spring, himself included. The programming problems included a youth program that never got off the ground, Cox said. Cox said he resigned as president and left the church in May when he learned Marxhausen was talking to a reporter about his unhappiness at the church and his plans to resign. August 11, 2000
The resignation of a Columbine-area pastor capped a painful two-year period in which several hundred of his flock left because of unspecified issues involving his leadership.
The Rev. Donald Marxhausen has said he resigned because of stress over the Columbine shootings and his congregation's lack of support when he reached out to the family of Dylan Klebold, one of the teen-age killers.
Others disputed that explanation Thursday.
"Never did a member of the congregation express any concern that he had spent time with the Klebold family," said David Cox, former president of the governing council at St. Philip Lutheran Church.
Cox said members stood up and cheered Marxhausen the Sunday after the Columbine shootings when he asked for their support in reaching out to the Klebolds, who had formerly attended the church. Marxhausen later presided over Dylan Klebold's funeral service, which was held at a mortuary because the church was under construction.
Marxhausen was not available for comment Thursday.
Current council president Julia Cooley declined to talk about the issues that led to the resignation, which will be effective Aug. 27.
"I can say that they have nothing to do with Columbine," Cooley said. "The congregation and the council supported Don's doing the Klebold funeral 100 percent."
Church officials brought in a mediator for a day last month to try to resolve the strife between Marxhausen and the 900-member congregation.
"The result was that Don is voluntarily resigning," Cooley said.
The rift tore apart a congregation that once revered its burly, outspoken pastor. A standing-room-only crowd honored him in September 1997 on the 25th anniversary of his ordination.
Cox said dissatisfaction in the church spread because of lackluster programming as well as personal issues with Marxhausen, but he declined to elaborate.
Cox estimated about 240 people left last year and between 100 and 150 this spring, himself included.
The programming problems included a youth program that never got off the ground, Cox said.
Cox said he resigned as president and left the church in May when he learned Marxhausen was talking to a reporter about his unhappiness at the church and his plans to resign.
August 11, 2000
