June 17, 2009

Seven churches to mark anniversaries of 100 years or more in 2009

By John Gleason

The Church in northern Colorado has a long and colorful history. Seven churches are marking anniversaries of 100 years or more in 2009. Below are brief profiles. 

150 years

St. Joseph, Golden
Referred to by pioneer Bishop Joseph Machebeuf as “our little church,” St. Joseph Church, 969 Ulysses St. in Golden, will mark its 150th anniversary on July 11, beginning with Mass at 5:15 p.m. with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., as the main celebrant. There will be another reason to celebrate as well, according to St. Joseph pastor Father Joseph Monahan. 

“Mass will be immediately followed with an open house and dedication of our new community center,” Father Monahan said.  “We’ll continue the celebration with a reception following each Mass on July 12.  Visitors can also check out the book on the parish titled, ‘St. Joseph’s Red Brick Church,’ which will be on sale.”

130 years

Sacred Heart, Denver
Proud to call itself Denver’s oldest still-used church, Sacred Heart Parish, 2760 Larimer St. in Denver, has served the spiritual needs of immigrants for generations, beginning with the Irish and Italians who came to build the railroad in the 1870s. 

This year, the community of Sacred Heart wants to invite all past and present parishioners to celebrate its 130th anniversary with a 5 p.m. Mass on Sept. 19. A reception will follow the liturgy.  The pastor, Capuchin Franciscan Father Gene Emrisek, said the anniversary is a historical event that does more than simply remember the past.

“We’re recognizing all the accomplishments that have taken place here,” he said, “but at the same time, we push toward the future. It’s a celebration of all the good things that have happened and will happen.”

125 years

St. Louis, Louisville
In 1884, Catholics in the town of Louisville constructed a small fame church on a lot that had been purchased by then Bishop Joseph Machebeuf.  It was called St. Louis. During the Great Depression, parishioners raised funds for construction of the present building located at 902 Grant Ave., which was dedicated in 1942 by Archbishop Urban Vehr.  On the weekend of Aug. 21-23, the parish will host a series of events to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the parish. Festivities include a picnic, dinner and reception and Mass on Aug. 23 with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.  The pastor, Father Timothy Gaines, said parishioners are excited about celebrating this milestone
“St. Louis continues to maintain the flavor of a small town parish,” he said. “It’s a great feeling.”
Call 303-666-6401 for a schedule of events.

120 years

St. Dominic, Denver
Even as the first Mass was being said inside a feed store, with dry goods boxes serving as both pews and altar, parishioners of the newly formed St. Dominic Parish went about raising money to buy property on the corner of 25th Avenue and Grove Street in Denver in 1889.

In 1923, construction began on the current church, which was dedicated three years later by Bishop J. Henry Tihen.  Today, St. Dominic Church, located at 3053 W. 29th Ave. in Denver, will mark its 120th anniversary with a yearlong list of events, according to the pastor, Dominican Father Clinton Honkomp.

“We’re going to begin with a Mass and reception on Aug. 8, the feast of St. Dominic,” he said. “The official yearlong celebration kicks off Oct. 3 with an anniversary raffle.  Other events throughout the year include a black and white dinner, anniversary turkey supper, thanksgiving Masses in honor of Our Lady (under the titles of) the Immaculate Conception (and) Our Lady of Guadalupe, potluck dinner and dance, a dedication Mass, church tours and a concert with the St. Dominic choir.” 

Details on all the events can be found online at stdominicdenver.org or by calling 303-455-3613.

110 years

St. Scholastica, Erie
On Aug. 18, 1899, Bishop Nicholas Matz arrived to celebrate Mass in the coal-mining town of Erie.  Among those who accompanied the bishop was the first pastor of St. Scholastica, Benedictine Father Cornelius Enders, who had hauled much of the lumber and other materials for construction of the church building.  This year, the parish community will mark their 110th anniversary with an 11 a.m. Mass on Aug. 16 followed by a reception and picnic.  A committee is also working on an updated parish photo directory and is inviting present and former parishioners to be included.  St. Scholastica is located on the corner of Main and Wells Streets in Erie.

100 years

St. William, Fort Lupton
Although a formal parish wasn’t established in Fort Lupton until 1909, priests would travel from Brighton to celebrate Masses in the town meeting hall as early as 1887. This year, St. William Parish, located at 1025 Fulton Ave., invites everyone to come be part of their centennial celebration with noon Mass on June 21. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., will be the main celebrant.  At the end of Mass, parishioners and past priests of the church will be honored.  Following that will be a picnic-potluck luncheon, entertainment and games.  St. William pastor Father Gregorio Mirto said the celebration will be a happy event for all who attend.
“We hope to see the church packed for this joyous time,” he said.

St. Peter, Greeley
At a Christmas Mass in 1909, Father Andrew Casey christened the basement of the unfinished church which would come to be known as St. Peter’s in Greeley.  The following year, then Bishop Nicholas Matz dedicated the new facility.  Today, the parish is proud to be celebrating a century of service to the Catholics of northern Colorado with a Mass to honor this milestone. Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., will be the main celebrant of the Mass, which is set for 5 p.m. on June 27. St. Peter’s is located at 915 12th St.