HOMEPAGE for this issue: October 3, 2012 // Download PDF Version // Click to install/update Adobe Reader on your computer

Archbishop, bishop to dedicate churches in Longmont, Silverthorne

By Julie Filby

In a unique situation expressing the growth and vitality of the Denver Archdiocese, two parishes are dedicating new churches this week: St. Francis of Assisi in Longmont and Our Lady of Peace in Silverthorne.

St. Francis of Assisi, Longmont
At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4, the feast day of their patron, St. Francis of Assisi parishioners will come together for Mass with Bishop James Conley and dedication of their new church at 3791 Pike Road.

“It’s the first church the parish has owned,” said pastor Father Frank Maroney. “The excitement has really been building this summer.”

Since 2007 the parish’s 525 families worshipped at leased office space at 2410 Trade Centre Ave., and before that at Westview Presbyterian Church.

Father Maroney said the feedback he’s heard most often about the new church was: “It’s bigger than I thought it was going to be.”

Compared to 11-foot ceilings in the office space, the new building has a 28-foot ceiling at its highest point. The seating capacity is 450.

“People comment on the openness, the ‘airiness,’” he said.

The $5.5 million, 18,000-square-foot facility, includes a narthex, classrooms, offices and a parish hall with kitchen equipment donated by the Knights of Columbus. It will be complemented with a new tabernacle, crucifix, Stations of the Cross, stained glass windows, statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother, a tapestry of Our Lady of Guadalupe made in Mexico City, a carved wooden statue of Mary and infant Jesus purchased by a parishioner in Vietnam, and a meditation garden with a statue of St. Francis with a dog donated by parishioners.

Father Maroney was struck by the generosity of parishioners.

“When we presented the plans, (some) were leery,” he said, “because we are such a small parish, and trying to raise so much money.

“We raised more than twice as much than any parish this size in the diocese. And this is not a wealthy area by any means.”

Eidos Architects P.C. of Greenwood Village was architect on the project, and construction services were provided by Krische Construction Inc. of Longmont, co-owned by parishioners Dan Krische and Mark Pilkington.

Our Lady of Peace, SilverthorneAt 11 a.m. Oct. 6, Summit County Catholics will gather for Mass celebrated by Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila and dedication of their recently completed church and parish rectory.

“It’s breathtaking when you go in,” Deacon Chuck Lamar, business manager at Our Lady of Peace and St. Mary’s in Breckenridge, said of the 13,000-square-foot church. “Beautifully decorated and designed to very much fit into our mountain environment.”

The new church, 2 miles north of Interstate 70 on Route 9 in Silverthorne, replaced the church at 19 Straight Creek Drive in Dillon. The project, running $6 million, included the 450-seat church with new pews and kneelers, prayer alcoves with mosaic artwork, a baptismal font, day chapel, rectory, social hall, kitchen, offices and meeting rooms—as well as renovations to the Breckenridge church, which is the “mother parish” for Our Lady of Peace.

“It’s been a long-awaited project,” said pastor Father Randy Dollins mentioning past attempts to build a new church that never came to fruition.

“Before, we really didn’t have space for anything (other than Mass),” he continued. “Being Catholic means more than attending Mass an hour on Sundays.”

The community of 500 families now has space for social gatherings, such as the parish picnic coming up 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 7, a quiet place to pray during the day, and religious education.

“(The new church) is also part of our charism of hospitality,” said Deacon Lamar. “It’s a welcoming place for the thousands of Catholics who visit Summit County each year. It’s a blessing to see those on vacation come to Mass.”

Adding to the distinct mountain feel, in the ceiling of the nave and narthex they used wood recovered from trees killed by pine beetles. According to Colorado State Forest Service data, about 75 percent of mature, susceptible Lodgepole pine trees in Summit County were killed by the mountain pine beetle infestation.

“It’s beautiful and striking wood; unique with a little blue stain to it,” he said. “A way to recapture: from death comes new life.”

They gave several other items new life by purchasing and refurbishing pieces from closed churches.

Eidos Architects P.C. of Greenwood Village was architect, and Himmelman Construction, Inc. of Lakewood provided construction services.

Julie Filby: 303-715-3123; julie.filby@archden.org; www.twitter.com/DCRegisterJulie