The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-12-27
DENVER, COLO.

Within the past four decades which
rovers the history of the Catholic
church in Colorado, there is no year
which can boast of such an important
place in the annals of the church in the
intermountain west as the one which is
rapidly drawing to a close.
Ii is at this season of the year that
retrospection is always in order. The
old year with its shattered hopes or
realized ambitions and the future with
its rose tinted possibilities, appeal to
the fancy.
As each successive year speeds swift
~ on, new glories are added to the
pages of the history Of the church in
Colorado, and the mind unconsciously
wanders back to the pioneer days when
the Apostle of the Rockies, the saint
ed Bishop Machebeuf, first planted the
seed of Catholicity in the Pixies Peak
district That was years ago, but
there are many who remember those
trying times. and for this memory
more deeply appreciate the present po-
sition Of the church in this state. While
The work accomplished in those early
days is recalled only by the older resi-
dents of Denver. their history has been
handed down to the rising generation,
and to the young and old alike, the
fruits of the year 1902 are a source of
qualification. The church in Colorado
has been traced over and over again,
ana book upon book has been written
OF its pioneer days. OF late years, the
tender incidents Of those times have
been swallowed up in the onward
march.
May 10. 1900 when the last mass was
celebrated in the old St. Mary'ss cathe-
rs+r ,1 er-y
ny the first bishop Of Denver, marks
me dividing line between the old and
The new life of the church in Denver.
Since then active steps have. been taken
10 provide an edifice' more betting the
sacred character of it's functions. To
inns end a house to house canvass has
eeen made with the result that 100000
mas been raised for this purpose. The
site Tor the structure, and the parochjal
ana episcopal residences. is absolutely
!Iee from debt. Ground was recently
.olohen for the building and the work
is oeing pushed ahead with energy.
one OF the GROWING glories of the
O-Sfch IN Denver, st. Vincent's orphan
&c was completely destroyed by fire
~ March, and now, owing to the gen
eIoslly of Denver non-C Catholics as well
- catholics, it is again in process of
'44 tl a cost OF SfJ.UUU.
Haf"an Catholics have long endeav-
sl l2 raise funds for the building of
suitable church and success has at
.eSl crowned their efforts. One of the
Hellest little churches of the diocese
~ oeing erected in that suburb at a cost
VI $4,000. The Annunciation parish
S brilliant future in store for it
Gnu WIZ begin work on a new church
airy ID the year.
--asl'- by reason Of its youth. but by
M .isahs least among the churches
'0" are IN process of erection, is the
~, on which the Polish Catholics Of
NE are spending their energies.
ar, ,..A- + 3iheT Jarzinski of Philadelphia
eteA turing the year and is holding
~ ices IN private residence awaiting
,.ion competition of the church Pre-
ci,t % this time the residents Of
ilie hay been Obliged to walk
0r miles TO the nearest church.
cera,s o- The grandestt and most solemn
nj, .lloliles Of the Catholic church took
D.f,t: lh the Colorado diocese twice
The e,.. lhe year; and by the way. for
tir,l -'. .llint n its history. The beau
eroa. He" church Of the Annunciation.
,I,yled by Rev. J. J. Gibbons al lead
sr,i, mad It's debt cleared early in the
Ma.e ana was consecrated by Bishop
chm On May IS. Itis one Of the finest
piisbiIle Of the state and is accom-
Inc nlig great and noble work among
& IN liners OF Lake county. On June
beth 3 handsome church of st. Eliza
ago h.. vest Denver. built some years
Vas con me German speaking. Catholics,
was d d cost Of $4,000 this structure
0. r e1rfected by Rev Father Francis,
Efforts ~, ana through his ,indefatiga Bile
. was entirely freed from debt.