Emmanuel Gallery

Journey back to 1876. The Emmanuel Gallery stands before us, Denver’s oldest standing religious structure. It wasn’t always an art gallery. It began as Bishop John F. Spaulding’s vision, built on land that once housed a non-denominational Sunday school. The Emmanuel Gallery has witnessed Denver’s transformation. The Emmanuel Gallery embodies a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, with its stone construction, buttresses, and pointed Gothic arch windows. Originally, rose windows graced the front and back. Imagine the soft glow of light filtering through those windows. The building, measuring 24′ x 66′, has seen its interior change over time. A balcony was added. The ceiling was replastered and rounded when the chapel transformed into a synagogue. The Emmanuel Gallery wasn’t always a place for art. It served the community in different ways throughout the years. In 1903, it became the Shearith Israel Synagogue, affectionately known as the Tenth Street Shul. It was a vital hub for Denver’s growing Jewish community for over half a century. By 1958, as the congregation dispersed to other neighborhoods, services ceased. The synagogue was sold. From 1958 to 1973, the chapel found new life as an artist’s studio under Wolfgang Pogzeba. He modernized the electrical and plumbing systems. He also replaced the original wooden doors with bronze ones, respecting the historical integrity of the building. In 1969, the Emmanuel Chapel earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first building designated as a historic site by Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission. In 1973, the Emmanuel Gallery became part of the Auraria Campus. Today, managed by the University of Colorado Denver, it continues to serve the community, showcasing exceptional art from around the world and Colorado. The Emmanuel Gallery stands as a testament to Denver’s rich and diverse history. It has been a place of worship, a center for community, and now, a vibrant art space, offering free exhibitions to all.