In the latest roundup piece in its anniversary series, the Denver Catholic Register looks at two parishes, one observing 80 years and the other 75.
80 years
Plains parish
In 1911, a lonely schoolhouse in Iliff was the site of the first Mass said in that plains town, one of several locations used for the small congregation. It wasn’t until 1925 that construction of a permanent church was started. The building was finished the following year, but in August 1926 a fire destroyed everything but the altar and four pews. Undaunted, parishioners began to rebuild and by Christmas, Mass was celebrated in the new St. Catherine’s Church.
In 1930, a rectory was built next to the church and a parish hall was added in 1951, which was used for bingo, bazaars and dinners. Unfortunately, that same year disaster struck again when high winds caused the church chimney to crash through the ceiling. The building was then structurally unsound and was torn down. Initial plans called for the congregation to use the newly constructed hall for worship space until sufficient funds were raised for another church. However, that never took place.
Remodeling to the facility was done in 1971 when the organ and pews from the choir were moved to the front of the church; new doors were added in 1975 and today the congregation continues to look to the future. The parish council has discussed long range plans to add on a hall to the building that has served as the church since 1951. A new facility would contain religious education facilities and a reception area. Current pastor Father Robert Wedow, V.F., acknowledges that this is a time of growth for St. Catherine’s.
“This congregation is a people of hope who love their faith,” Father Wedow said. “We have many young families here. This is a time when the parish needs to build and we need to look to the future for ways we can facilitate growth.”
Although St. Catherine’s had no formal observance of its 80th anniversary this year, Father Wedow told the Denver Catholic Register that a special Mass of Thanksgiving would be celebrated Oct. 21.
“We’ll give thanks to God for the benefits of the harvest,” he said, “and for the 80 years that he has given us here.”
75 years
Mountain parish
On Sept. 9, a 75th anniversary Mass for Christ the King Church in Evergreen was celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap. A reception followed that was combined with the annual parish picnic and was attended by many parishioners.
“We had food and games and music from our folk festival,” said current pastor Father Christopher Renner. “We had a great time.”
The first Masses in Evergreen were celebrated by priests who traveled into the mountains from St. Joseph Parish in Golden. In 1932, Christ the King mission was established. A chapel was built in 1935 and was dedicated by then Archbishop Urban Vehr the following year. In 1951 Father Joseph Bosch was named first resident pastor and the mountain parish community became independent of St. Joseph’s in Golden.
The congregation had grown to 150 families by the mid-1950s, which prompted construction of a new parish hall in 1956. Fifteen years later a new facility was constructed that included a 500-seat church, parish hall and five classrooms. And the growth continues. In May, a fundraising event netted $13,000 for the “Building on Faith” project.
“We want to replace the current 50-year old hall with a new parish hall, offices and classrooms,” Father Renner said.
When asked to describe the parish where he has been pastor for eight years, Father Renner said it is an active community with a strong sense of charity.
“For the parishioners, their priority is the community and to be active in that community,” he said.
The pastor said he hopes the next 75 years will bring an even greater deepening of faith to the community.
