Denver's Historical Churches (Self Guided), Denver

The historic Trinity United Methodist Church of Denver is located near the center of city, about three city blocks north of Civic Center Park. The church was built in 1887 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Architect Robert S. Roeschlaub designed the church in a Modern Gothic style. Roeschlaub combined Gothic, Rococo and Arts and Crafts styles to create this Modern Gothic look. The exterior of the church is fashioned from Castle Rock rhyolite, including the church's 183 foot tall steeple. The steeple was considered a marvel of its time as it was one of country's tallest towers that was made entirely of stone.

Visitors are welcome at church during Sunday services, though the beauty of the structure can be viewed at any point when walking by. Located on North Broadway, Trinity United Methodist offers a close and easy walk from The Brown Palace Hotel.

The Central Presbyterian Church in Denver is a historic and architecturally significant structure located in the heart of downtown. Constructed between 1891 and 1892, the church was designed by renowned architect Frank E. Edbrooke in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, a design approach known for its robust, earthy appearance and strong, rounded arches. Edbrooke, whose career spanned many prominent projects, considered this church one of his top three works, making it a hallmark of his later architectural contributions.

The Central Presbyterian Church originated as a congregation in 1874, branching off from the First Presbyterian Church of Denver, which had been established in 1860. This church quickly became an integral part of the Denver community and received its own identity under the name Central Presbyterian Church.

The church’s striking architectural design is nearly square, with four towers and uniform gables that create a balanced, massive appearance. Made from Colorado sandstone in horizontal bands inspired by H.H. Richardson, the building’s large windows and simple walls give it a unified, expansive look. Long, thin lantern openings with ogee arches in the towers add vertical elegance to the otherwise solid structure, as observed by art historian Richard Brettell.

In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, the Central Presbyterian Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The building was also documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1969, ensuring that its legacy is preserved for future generations. Today, the Central Presbyterian Church remains a testament to Denver’s rich history and architectural heritage.

The Saint Paul Lutheran Community of Faith, formerly known as Saint Paul's English Evangelical Lutheran Church, has a long history of community involvement. The church has been serving as a spiritual and cultural center for its congregation since 1884.

The current corner building, constructed in 1925, exhibits an impressive Gothic Revival style, featuring intricate stonework, a towering belfry, and beautiful stained glass windows. In 1997, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Apart from its striking appearance, the church is famous for the ritual of Taize, which consists of music, meditation, and prayer fusion. The resolute stone walls of this temple create an effect, whereby the ethereal melodies from the organ's pipes resonate with the fervent prayers of worshipers, fostering a sense of divine connection that transcends the boundaries of time.

Temple Emanuel, also known as Congregation Emanuel, is a historic Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue in Denver. Established in 1874, it holds the distinction of being the first synagogue in Colorado. Over the years, Temple Emanuel has occupied several buildings, each significant in its own right.

The congregation was founded by 22 members and dedicated its first synagogue building at the corner of 19th and Curtis Streets on September 28, 1875. As the congregation grew, they built a new facility on Curtis Street in 1882, which was the first major Jewish synagogue in the Denver area. This building was tragically gutted by fire in 1897 but was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The congregation's third synagogue, designed by John J. Humphreys, was constructed between 1898 and 1899 on Pearl Street. This building was expanded in 1924, with the expansion designed by Thielman Robert Wieger. The Pearl Street synagogue, noted for its Eastern-Islamic architectural style—a design choice influenced by German Jews and unique among Denver and Colorado synagogues—served the congregation until 1957 when it was sold to the First Southern Baptist Church. The building later housed the LovingWay Pentecostal Church before being acquired by the city of Denver in 1986 due to foreclosure. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and designated a Denver Landmark under the name "Temple Emanuel."

Today, Temple Emanuel continues to serve as a vibrant center for Jewish worship and community life in Denver, operating out of its current location on Grape Street, which was completed in 1956. This synagogue reflects the long and rich history of Jewish life in Denver, tracing its roots back to the late 19th century and representing a significant piece of Colorado's cultural and religious heritage.

The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver serves as the cathedral for the Archdiocese of Denver within the Roman Catholic Church. Situated at the intersection of Logan Street and Colfax Avenue in Denver's North Capitol Hill neighborhood, this significant religious landmark was designed by architect Leon Coquard of Detroit in the French Gothic style, drawing inspiration from the 13th-century Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church in Munster, France.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1902 and reached completion in 1911. The first Mass was celebrated on October 27, 1912, with the official consecration occurring in 1921. The cathedral was elevated to the status of a minor basilica on Christmas Day in 1979. A historic moment for the basilica came on August 13 and 14, 1993, when Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass there during World Youth Day, making it one of the few U.S. cathedrals to receive such an honor.

The cathedral's architecture is marked by its Latin cross shape, measuring 195 by 116 feet, with a nave that rises to 68 feet. The main façade is distinguished by three grand entrances, flanked by two soaring spires reaching 221 feet. Constructed from Indiana limestone and granite from Gunnison, Colorado, the cathedral's interior is adorned with Carrara marble for the altar, statuary, and bishop's chair, while Yule marble from Marble, Colorado, is also prominently featured. A striking element of the cathedral's design is its 75 stained glass windows, created by the Royal Bavarian Art Institute in Munich, which hold the distinction of comprising the largest collection of leaded stained glass in any church in North America.

Originally, the cathedral could accommodate 1,000 worshipers, but after significant alterations following the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, including the removal of the historic stone altar rail and the expansion of the chancel, the seating capacity was reduced to 895. Despite these changes, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception remains a vital and cherished spiritual center in Denver, recognized both for its architectural beauty and its historical significance.