About Annunciation · Denver, Colorado
Annunciation Catholic Church is a bilingual, Capuchin Franciscan parish serving the historic Cole neighborhood in northeast Denver. The parish traces its roots to 1883 as St. Ann's, was renamed Annunciation in 1890, and built its present church at 36th and Humboldt in 1904-1907. Entrusted to the Capuchin friars of the Province of St. Conrad for roughly fifty years, Annunciation is known for its immigrant community, its K-8 school (now in its 125th year), and the Twin Parishes Food Bank founded in 1974 to feed hungry families in the surrounding neighborhood.
- Established
- 1883 (as St. Ann's; renamed Annunciation in 1890)
- Patron
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Fr. Christopher Gama, OFM Cap.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
Annunciation is a bilingual, Capuchin Franciscan parish in Denver's historic Cole neighborhood where worship is offered in both English and Spanish, where a parish K-8 school has shaped young lives for 125 years, and where the Twin Parishes Food Bank has fed hungry neighbors since 1974. Worshippers find a richly bilingual Mass schedule, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction on Tuesdays, a Saturday confession window, and parish devotions including a Spanish prayer group and a Life Teen youth ministry. Visitors are welcomed into a faith community whose Capuchin friars and immigrant parishioners keep a clear focus on Christ, the sacraments, and service to the marginalized.
Mass times at Annunciation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Benediction / Bendición at 6:30 PM)
History of Annunciation Parish
Founded as St. Ann's in 1883, the parish was rebuilt after an 1886 fire, renamed Annunciation in 1890 by Father Henry Robinson, and built its present church at 36th and Humboldt between 1904 and 1907. Consecrated debt-free by Bishop Matz in 1907, the parish has been served by the Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Conrad for roughly fifty years and continues to minister to a primarily immigrant population in northeast Denver.
- 1883: Parish founded as St. Ann's
- 1886: Original church destroyed by fire (train blocked fire equipment)
- 1890: Renamed Annunciation by Father Henry Robinson
- 1890: Three-story school and temporary church built at 37th and Humboldt for $19,000
- 1904-1907: Construction of present church by architect Frederick W. Paroth
- 1907: Bishop Matz consecrates the church debt-free
- 1968: Parish high school closes
- Early 1970s: Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Conrad arrive
- 1974: Twin Parishes Food Bank founded
- 1990: Church listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Our Building: Architecture & Heritage
The present church was designed by Frederick W. Paroth, a German immigrant and architect who arrived in Denver in 1889 at age 29. Its red brick walls with white cut stone trim combine Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival elements. The interior features ornate scagliola columns along the central nave, stained-glass windows from Mayer & Co. of Munich, and a main altar of Carrara marble. A planned steeple and bell tower were never built.
- Architect: Frederick W. Paroth
- Construction cost: $24,750 (Paroth contracted at 2.5%)
- Builder/contractor: Michael J. Kenney
- Stained glass: Mayer & Co., Munich, Germany
- Altar: Carrara marble from Italy
- Listed on National Register of Historic Places: June 21, 1990 (NRHP #90000869)
Capuchin Franciscan Identity
For nearly fifty years Annunciation has been entrusted to the Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Conrad. The friars emphasize brotherhood, poverty, and service to the marginalized — a charism the parish describes as following the spiritual footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. The Capuchins also serve at Denver's Samaritan House shelter and run other ministries to the homeless, including a twice-weekly Capuchin Food Truck.
- Pastored by Capuchins of the Province of St. Conrad
- Charism of brotherhood, poverty, and dedication to the poor
- Capuchin friars also serve at Samaritan House and the Capuchin Food Truck
Mass & Worship Schedule
Annunciation offers a richly bilingual schedule of Masses, with Spanish-language Masses on Saturday evening, two Sunday morning Masses, a Sunday afternoon Mass, and additional evening Spanish Masses during the week. Weekday morning Masses at 8:15 AM are attended by Annunciation School children on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Sunday: 8:00 AM (English), 9:30 AM (Spanish), 11:30 AM (English), 1:00 PM (Spanish)
- Saturday: 6:00 PM (Spanish)
- Tuesday: 8:15 AM, 6:45 PM (Spanish)
- Wednesday: 8:15 AM, 6:00 PM (Spanish)
- Thursday & Friday: 8:15 AM (school Mass)
Parish School: Annunciation Catholic School
Annunciation Catholic School has served the Cole neighborhood for 125 years, educating children from Preschool through Grade 8 in a small, multicultural, faith-based learning community. The school sits at 3536 Lafayette Street — the corner of Lafayette and 36th Avenue, at the northern end of the River North Arts District — and offers a 'Just Kids' before- and after-school program. Half of the faculty hold advanced degrees.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Address: 3536 Lafayette St., Denver, CO 80205
- Phone: (303) 295-2515
- Principal: Deb Roberts; Assistant Principal: Jerilyn Manzella
- Director of Advancement: Reagan Stonestreet
- 'Just Kids' before- and after-school program directed by Toni Zito
- Athletic Director: Rafael Telles
- Music Teacher & Choir Director: Kris Wittry
Twin Parishes Food Bank
Founded in 1974 under Catholic Charities and now operating under the leadership and oversight of Annunciation Catholic Church, Twin Parishes Food Bank (TPFB) provides healthy supplemental and emergency food without discrimination to families and individuals in need. Originally launched by three local parishes, it continues to collaborate with many parishes, foundations, and community partners, serving clients from across Colorado.
- Founded 1974 under Catholic Charities
- Operates under Annunciation's leadership
- Address: 3663 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80205
- Distribution hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 AM – 12 PM and 1 PM – 3 PM
- $25/month provides two families with 75+ lbs of fresh produce, dairy, meat, bread, and non-perishables
- $150 provides supplementary food boxes for a family for an entire year
Parish Staff & Leadership
Annunciation is led by a Capuchin pastor with two associate pastors and a deacon, supported by an administrative assistant and a dedicated youth ministry team. The parish office can be reached at (303) 296-1024.
- Fr. Christopher Gama, OFM Cap. — Pastor
- Fr. Vincent Carrasco, OFM Cap. — Associate Pastor
- Fr. Joseph Elder, OFM Cap. — Associate Pastor / Youth Minister
- Deacon Basil Ryan Balke — Director of Counseling
- Kim Gurrola — Assistant Youth Minister
- Cynthia Castillo — Administrative Assistant
Location & Contact
Annunciation Catholic Church is located at 3601 Humboldt Street in Denver's historic Cole neighborhood. The school and parish offices are at 3536 Lafayette Street, at the corner of Lafayette and 36th Avenue, at the northern end of the River North Arts District.
- Church address: 3601 Humboldt St., Denver, CO 80205
- School address: 3536 Lafayette St., Denver, CO 80205
- Parish Office Phone: (303) 296-1024
- School Phone: (303) 295-2515
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Nicholas C. Matz1885-1887
Oversaw rebuilding after the 1886 fire; later became Coadjutor Bishop of Denver and then Bishop of Denver.
- Rev. Godfrey Raber1887-1889
Established parish school taught by Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
- Rev. Henry Robinson1889-1913
Renamed the parish Annunciation in 1890; oversaw construction of the present church (1904-1907) and consecration in 1907.
- Rev. Richard Bradycirca 1913-1914
Brief pastorate following Father Robinson's death.
- Rev. Edward Clarkcirca 1914-1916
Served for about one year.
- Rev. Michael F. Callanan1916-1934
Interested in the church's architecture; worked to complete it; died in 1934.
- Fr. Charles Polifka, OFM Cap.
Pastored during the Capuchin era; a Capuchin for 51 years when interviewed by Denver Catholic in 2018.
- Fr. Francisco Ramirez, OFM Cap.
Listed as pastor in Catholic Church Directory listings.
- Fr. Christopher Gama, OFM Cap.present
Current pastor; has welcomed Archbishop Aquila for parish visitations.