St. Patrick Mission Church

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

1. St. Patrick Mission Church Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Mary Andrews, 5/23/1979:
St. Patrick Mission Church and Rectory, begun in 1907 and completed in 1910, are significant both historically and architecturally. The second church to serve St. Patrick's parish, the Franciscan-mission styled architecture represents not only a suitable style for the Far West but also the vision shared by its pastor and his people of a church whose facilities would serve all people of the area, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. For this reason, the word "Mission" was incorporated into the wording of the cornerstone when it was laid in September, 1907.
The St. Patrick Mission Church complex, all in the Mission style, consists of the church building itself at the south end of the property, the rectory at the north end, and an arcaded, covered walkway connecting the two. All these structures were constructed of

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

2. St. Patrick Mission Church (southeast entrance)

The marker is mounted at eye level between the center and right arches. The cornerstone is at the base of the southeast corner [left] tower.

smooth-dressed buff stone in alternating courses of narrow, wide, wide, narrow, etc. The roof material is red barrel (Mission) tile except for domes which cap the towers, these being of painted sheet metal.
The church is a two-story rectangular structure. On the main facade is an entrance porch whose roof is supported by wood beams bearing on three semi-circular arches which spring from stone piers. Centered above the porch is a large, segmental, stained and painted glass window with a segmental arched head. Above this, and extending above the shallow gabled tile roof, the stone wall displays the simplified Baroque capped curve which characterizes Mission style.
At the front corners of the church are square towers, the taller projecting slightly and the shorter recessed slightly, each terminating in open columned lanterns which in turn have metal domes surmounted by a cross. The church is connected to the rectory by a narrow, covered walkway whose flat roof is supported on both sides by stone piers and semi-circular arches. The two-story rectory is of the same material and design style as the church and contains church offices as well as quarters for two priests.
St. Patrick's parish was established in 1881 by Bishop Joseph Projectus Machebeuf, first Bishop of the See of Denver, and known as the "Apostle of the Rockies." This was the first Roman Catholic parish established

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

3. St. Patrick Mission Church Cornerstone

St. Patrick’s Parish Mission Church
Erected A.D. 1907

west of the South Platte River in what is now the City of Denver. As the "mother-church" of Northwest Denver, eight parishes were eventually established within its original boundaries. The congregation met in various buildings until the first church was completed in 1884.
By 1907 the fast-growing area had several parishes. Land for a new church had been purchased in 1906, and the Denver architectural firm of Wagner and Manning was engaged to draw plans for the church and rectory in traditional Mission style. The church building would be the only building of this unique style in the City of Denver and was deemed appropriate for the western character of the city and to the mission of the parish — to serve all peoples.

Excerpt:  It was built in 1907 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The parish was established in 1881.

Excerpt:  Reflecting the Mission style, the roof is covered with red barrel tiles, and the domes which cap the towers are of painted sheet metal. The complex, designed by the Denver architectural

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

4. St. Patrick Mission Church

Looking southwest across North Pecos Street.

firm of Wagner and Manning, was begun in 1907 and completed in 1910.

Excerpt:  At the time of its construction, the Mission style was considered unusual in the city of Denver, although reflective of its Western character. It was the second church to serve St. Patrick’s parish, which was the first Roman Catholic parish established west of the South Platte River in 1881. The church served both the working class of the Platte River Valley and the upper middle-class professionals of the Highlands neighborhood.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

5. Our Lady of Light Monastery

Looking northwest across North Pecos Street. The church and former rectory are connected by a covered, gated walkway.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

6. St. Patrick Mission Church (southeast elevation)