St. Dominic Catholic Church’s first Mass was held in the Rocky Mountain Feed Store in 1889, mainly serving Irish railroad workers who were among the first to move to the Highlands neighborhood. Through the years, the configuration of the parish changed as groups of Italian, German, and later Hispanic immigrants joined the community. 1920s Colorado saw a spike in both anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant Ku Klux Klan sentiment, with Klan members supporting bills prohibiting the use of wine for sacramental purposes. In this environment, St. Dominic Parish was committed to the construction of the 1922 church that sits on the hills overlooking downtown Denver. Designed by Robert Willison, the church features a Latin cross plan in a French Gothic Revival style, incorporating both Rayonnant and Flamboyant Gothic elements through rose windows and intricate tracery. Prominently situated in front of the Rocky Mountains, the church’s stature at 165 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 80 feet tall solidifies it as a visually striking icon in the city.

St. Dominic’s has remained steadfast in its commitment to serve North Denver, offering much-needed support and space to community members and local organizations. Among the numerous church facility users are the Vittoria Ensemble, the Department of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs for the City of Denver, and Corona Self-Help Center. The congregation founded the St. Margaret of Castello Center for Families to support young mothers and vulnerable women. Recently, the Center’s focus has shifted towards serving migrant families, serving between 60 and 90 families per week.

A $500,000 National Fund grant with $500,000 in matching funds raised by the congregation will support exterior masonry work to preserve the historic building’s structural stability and appearance.

Photo by Adrian Swenson