Could you imagine Denver without its oldest Episcopal community? That community is now known as the Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness. Today, we stand before a testament to faith and perseverance. The Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness stands as the seat of the bishop. It serves the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado.
Let’s step back to 1860. Father John H. Kehler journeyed from Virginia. He sought to establish the Episcopal Church in the mining camps. These camps later became Denver City. The nearest Episcopal parish was 700 miles away in Kansas. Thus, the parish became St. John’s in the Wilderness.
The first services were held in 1881. They took place at 20th and Welton. Dean H. Martyn Hart was the cathedral’s first dean. In 1887, he collaborated with Denver clergy. Together, they created the Denver Charity Organization. This was the first community charity solicitation fund in the United States. It was later renamed the United Way.
Tragedy struck in 1903. A fire damaged the church. This led to the construction of the cathedral at 14th and Washington. A design competition was held in 1908. The New York firm of Tracy and Swartwout won. Construction on the Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness began in 1909. The first service was held in 1911.
The original design included flying buttresses. These would support the roof’s weight. This design allowed for thinner walls. It also provided for more glass. The buttressed design proved too expensive. A redesign limited the cathedral to the nave. A temporary brick chancel was planned.
Even the revised design faced challenges. Bids remained too high. Another redesign was requested. This final design excluded the buttresses. Consequently, the walls became thicker and heavier. The existing foundation was too small. The Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness began to sink during construction. Some walls and the center arch had to be rebuilt. A lawsuit against the architects was dismissed. The building committee was deemed at fault.
The transepts, choir, and great tower were never built. Only the nave was completed. It was made of limestone. The “temporary” brick chancel remains. The nave’s ceiling reaches 65 feet high. It stretches 185 feet long and 52 feet wide. Dean Hart oversaw the construction.
The stained glass windows came from Charles Connick’s studio. They add color and light to the sacred space. United States Supreme Court Justice Byron White was buried here in 2002.
Since its founding, the Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness has influenced the community. Its central location near the capitol building is key. The cathedral has a legacy of beauty and goodness. It impacts daily lives in Capitol Hill and beyond. The Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness also partnered with the St. Francis Center. Together, they created the Apartments at Cathedral Square. This provides transitional housing.
Today, the Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness continues its mission. It fosters connections within the community. It preserves its rich history in its archives. These archives contain records dating back to 1860. They document baptisms, marriages, and construction plans.
As we conclude our visit, remember the story of resilience. Remember the commitment to service. The Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness stands as a beacon of hope. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith in the heart of Denver.