A hidden gem nestled in Denver’s heart. That’s Our Lady Mother of the Church Parish. Its story begins not with soaring spires but a humble building. Around 1900 various Protestant groups occupied this space. Then in the 1920s a Mormon sect took it over. They used the church until the 1940s. The Catholic population of Denver’s Capitol Hill exploded after World War II. Archbishop Vehr saw the need. He purchased the tiny church for $27000. He intended to alleviate overcrowding in nearby parishes. This church became a haven for the faithful. They lived between Broadway and Downing Street between East 1st and 8th avenues.
Imagine Archbishop Vehr’s surprise upon discovering a basement pool. It was built for full immersion baptisms. He declared Our Lady Mother of the Church Parish “the only Catholic Church in Colorado with a swimming pool”. A $16000 remodeling project filled in the “pool”. Two sacristies were added. A grand stained glass window was donated. It depicts the Joyous Mysteries surrounding the Mother of God.
The parish flourished under pastors John Regan Paul Reed and John V. Anderson. Generous parishioners paid off the church debt by the mid-1950s. They enabled the purchase of the entire triangular plot. It’s bounded by Speer Logan and East 5th Avenue. Helen Bonfils a parishioner donated air conditioning a rectory and a new addition. A life-sized statue of the Mother of God stands outside. It watches over motorists on Speer Boulevard. Marcella Tangney directed the choir at the dedication Mass in 1949. She still leads the singers. Her husband Leonard was a journalist. He compiled the parish’s silver jubilee history.
Governor Stephen L R McNichols attended Our Lady Mother of the Church Parish. He brought his family from the governor’s mansion. The McNichols family usually sat in the middle. Unless one of the boys was serving Mass then they sat in the front pew. Monsignor Walter Canavan served from 1969 to 1980. He celebrated his fiftieth anniversary as a priest there. Our Lady Mother of the Church Parish has a special intimate feeling. It only seats 150 people. Every Mass is practically sold out.
Monsignor St Peter became pastor in 1985. He led the archdiocese during an interregnum. He called it a humbling and exciting time. He’s happy to be back in his parish. This small urban church holds a special place in Denver’s history. Our Lady Mother of the Church Parish continues to thrive. It serves its community with faith and devotion. It stands as a testament to its enduring spirit. This small church has a big story to tell. Visit Our Lady Mother of the Church Parish and experience its rich history firsthand.