Address: 2301 York Street, Denver, CO 80205
Website: https://www.stignatiusdenver.org/
Overview
A statue of the patron, St. Ignatius Loyola adorns the façade of the towering brick Tudor-Gothic-Revival church that has been a beacon for Denver Catholics since its dedication on October 12, 1924. The architecturally intricate church holds exquisite stained glass windows in the spectacular blues of the medieval era, historic Carrera marble altars and unique shrines. The church is an outgrowth of Sacred Heart Parish and was built by Fr. Charles A. McDonnell, S.J., pastor of Sacred Heart in response to the growing number of Catholics in Denver. The structure was designed by the Denver architecture firm of Mountjoy and Frewen and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 and Colorado State Register of Historic Properties around the same time. The Brothers of St. John assumed administration of the parish in 2023 when the Jesuits exited Colorado (read more about the Jesuits below). The new Order is coordinating the rejuvenation of the historic pipe organ to increase the impact of sacred music in the enormous interior space designed to hold 1,200 people.
Special things to see in the Church
• Stained glass windows by Conrad Schmitt Studios of New Berlin, WI were installed in two groups: the first group of five windows depicting the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary were installed in and around the sanctuary in 1924 through 1929, and in 1943. These Munich-style windows are of antique stained glass made and “Executed by Gustav Van Treeck, Munich Germany” as etched on the lower right of the Ascension window.
• The second group of three stained glass windows were installed after 1994, also by the Conrad Schmitt Studios. In the transept are two of the Sorrowful Mysteries: the Last Supper and the Crucifixion of Jesus. On the east façade is a spectacular image of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus next to the Jesuit Seal of a sunburst surrounding the IHS Christogram encircled by the words, ET VOCATUM EST NOMEN EIUS IESUS (Luke 2:21 “And His Name was called Jesus”).
• The nave walls are decorated by painted windows done in 1947-48. The hundreds of window panes were adorned with appliques and oil paint by a long-time janitor (Emil Frei – possibly related to the St. Louis Stained Glass company) or by an Austrian artist. The colorful artwork is peeling and flaking in many areas, but still projects beauty into the interior.
• The hand-painted stenciling in and around the sanctuary, and the designs on the nave pilasters were done in 1947-48 by an Austrian painter, Anton Schwaerzler for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the church. These unique designs are apparently the last remaining of several churches with similar artwork in Denver.
• A niche on the south side of the nave holds the shrine of St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Francis Xavier (including relics). Read more about these two of the six founders of The Society of Jesus below.
• The main and side altars are made of Carrera marble, likely made by the Daprato Statuary Company. The side altars bear the images of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. Two additional Daprato statues are located in the rear of the church: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Sacred Heart, as well as a touching statue of St. Therese Lisieux and her shower of roses.
Interesting Facts About the Church
St. Ignatius Loyola parish was one of several served by The Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) in Colorado. The Jesuits were founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola and six companions including St. Francis Xavier. St. Ignatius’ original plan was for the group to be traveling missionaries to preach and administer the sacraments. The Order has become the largest in the Catholic Church with more than 15,000 members. Their motto Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam (For the Greater Glory of God) is frequently seen on Jesuit documents and church structures with the acronym “AMDG.”
The Jesuits first came to Colorado after the request of Colorado Territorial Governor William Gilpin and Bishop Joseph Projectus Machebeuf in the 1860’s. The Jesuit College in Las Vegas, NM was relocated to Morrison, CO as the College of the Sacred Heart in 1884. The College eventually moved to its current site in northwest Denver and was named Regis College in 1921. Regis High School in Aurora is associated with what is now known as Regis University.
The first Jesuit parishes in Colorado were: Our Lady of Guadalupe in Conejos; St. Ignatius in Pueblo and Sacred Heart in Denver. The Jesuits also served, for a time, at the Holy Family parish, in addition to St. Ignatius Loyola for nearly 100 years. In 2022, the Jesuits announced their exit from Colorado because of declining numbers of Jesuits.
