Soon after the Lago Refinery had been established, Maurice “Jack” Emery, pipe fitter at Lago, started to hold religious gatherings: at first they were held in the personnel’s canteen, later in a school building. On September 18, 1929 the first religious service of the Lago Community Church as a congregation took place; the community had been founded by an American couple, Mrs and Mrs George H. Wilken. Towards the end of 1934, the church welcomed its first pastor, reverend Paul W. Risshell. The religious community thus engaged pastors without having a church building.

It took until 1939 before the refinery built a church. The architect was Norman Shirley. The walls of the church were made out of wood, covered with cement and it was built in an Anglo-American style. The beautiful lamps were made in the Lago forge and Captain Rodger and his wife donated the pulpit. Many other individuals and institutions within the Lago Colony community contributed with donations. It is unique in its architectural style.

While construction was underway, a time-capsule, consisting of various documents, was buried in the vault underneath the threshold. Pictures show Lt. Governor Wagemaker cementing the stone, while LG Smith, Lago president, is looking on.

At first it was called the Pan-Am Community Church, then it became the Lago Community Church. Nowadays the name of the church is Seroe Colorado Community Church.

The Lago Community Church was – and still is – a non-denominational church. Several Protestants, Jews, Eastern-Orthodox and Roman Catholics were members. At the inauguration, the Protestant Community of Aruba donated a lectern. When Lago closed down in 1985, the Seroe Colorado Church joined the Protestant Community. By that time, only two members were left. At this time there are many more members, fortunately.

The protestant pastor from Oranjestad has held sermons there every Sunday morning. A pastor in the making is holding sermons as well.

The Aruba Monuments Bureau has indicated the Seroe Colorado Community Church as an officially protected monument, class A.