St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

1. St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Ann S. Mecherle, 8/28/1974:
The St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel was designed by Frederick G. Sterner and is Georgian in style. St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel has been a North Denver landmark since its construction.
The chapel is significant in the story of religion and architecture in the West. The fundamental structure of the building, a two-story little box form so prevalent throughout the city of Denver, is highlighted by a central cupola and a Georgian facade. The religious symbolism of the spire and the dignity of the Georgian facade enrich the basic western box form.
The St. Elizabeth's Retreat complex, of which the chapel was a part, was originally

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

2. St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel Marker

The marker is mounted at eye level on the right side of the front entrance.

the Oakes Home for Consumptives. In 1894, with the assistance of Episcopal Bishop Spaulding who approved the plan and donated the site, Reverend Frederick W. Oakes founded the Oakes Home and served as its Superintendent and Chaplain. Oakes Home was a nationally famous sanitarium; it was the first home for tubercular patients in Colorado and the second in the nation.
In December of 1902 Rev. Oakes visited Philadelphia and New York for the purpose of raising $25,000 from the Episcopal congregations there for construction of a chapel at the home. He was successful and work was to begin after the first of January 1903. St. Paul's Cathedral, London was to be its model.
Rev. Oakes retired in January 1934. The home was closed that same year because of altered theories regarding the treatment of tuberculosis. In May 1943 the Oakes Home complex was purchased by the Poor Sisters of St. Francis Seraph of Perpetual Adoration for use as the motherhouse of the Province of St. Joseph. Young nuns were trained there, and from there the affairs of the entire community west of the Mississippi were administered.
The original buildings comprising St. Elizabeth's Retreat complex were razed in 1975 to make possible construction of a modern complex. The chapel is the only one of the original structures preserved. It remains intact abutting the new residential units.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

3. St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel Portico Column

From the National Register Nomination:  Four columns with ionic capitals support a decorated entablature and pediment.

Excerpt:  It was built in 1894 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It was designed by architect Frederick G. Sterner.

Excerpt:  The chapel was originally part of the Oakes Home for Consumptives founded by Reverend Frederick W. Oakes who served as its first and only superintendent and chaplain. The tuberculosis home closed in 1934 and the original buildings comprising the complex were razed in 1975 to allow for new construction, leaving the chapel as the only original structure. The complex claims to be the first home for tubercular patients in Colorado and the second in the nation.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

4. St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel Transom Detail

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2024

5. St. Elizabeth's Retreat Chapel

From the National Register Nomination:  This chapel is of yellow brick set in stretcher bond. The exterior wall design is pier and spandrel; the piers are decorated. The walls are surmounted by an entablature and frieze. There are three bays in the front/south façade. Each of the two windows flanking the main, center door are flat in shape with decorated pediments, moulded trim and decorated lugsills. They are the two sash and transom type, hinged, and of leaded, stained glass. The main center double doors are paneled, made of oak and recessed in a decorated embrasure. The recessed blind transom is decorated and made of oak. The door opening is flat in shape with a decorated pediment and moulded trim. The plain, straight stairs mount to a portico whose four columns with ionic capitals support a decorated entablature and pediment.