Blessed Sacrament

About Blessed Sacrament Parish

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is an Archdiocese-of-Denver parish serving the Park Hill neighborhood of northeast Denver. Founded in 1912 for 45 families, the parish has grown into a thriving Catholic community with daily Mass, a K–8 school, robust faith formation, and a wide array of service ministries. Worship is offered in English at the 1935 Gothic Revival church on Montview Boulevard, and the parish continues to live out the Eucharist-centered devotion from which it takes its name.

History of the Parish and School

Blessed Sacrament Mission was established in late 1912 by Bishop Matz for 45 Park Hill families, with Fr. J. Frederick McDonough as founding pastor. The fledgling community first worshipped in the Park Hill Methodist Episcopal Church at 23rd and Dexter, then built a Neoclassical chapel-rectory-parish hall at Elm Street and Montview Boulevard in 1913 — a building still used as the school. The parish commissioned architect Harry James Manning in the 1920s for a Gothic cathedral that the Great Depression never allowed to be built at full scale; the present one-story Gothic Revival church was dedicated September 15, 1935. The Sisters of Loretto opened the parish school in 1922 with 57 students.

• 1912 — Parish mission established; Fr. McDonough named first pastor.
• 1913 — Elevated to parish; Neoclassical chapel/parish hall built (now the school).
• 1922 — Sisters of Loretto open Blessed Sacrament School.
• 1934 — Cornerstone laid for the current church.
• 1935 — Church dedicated by Archbishop Vehr.
• 1942 — Convent at E. 19th & Eudora completed for the teaching sisters.
• 1951 — Second school building dedicated (now the gym).
• 1958 — Bishop Machebeuf Catholic High School dedicated on the parish campus.
• 1976 — Church interior renovation completed.
• 1989 — Major fire damages the church; restoration with raised roof line completed 1990.
• 2000 — Bishop Machebeuf HS moves to Lowry; building returned to parish.
• 2009 — School expands to include preschool and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the former Machebeuf building.

Clergy and Staff

The parish and school leadership includes a pastor, two deacons, a school principal, directors of religious education and adult faith formation, a music director, and an operations manager.

• Fr. John Ludanha — Pastor (303-355-7361 ext 218)
• Deacon Kevin Heckman — Marriage Prep
• Deacon Jerry Swain
• Frank Sahurie — Parish and School Operations Manager
• Melissa Roldan — Music Director
• Nicole Stephan — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
• Bonnie Corcoran — Director of Adult Faith Formation and Evangelization ([email protected], ext 213)
• Sara Alkayali — Principal, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (303-377-8835)

Faith Formation

Faith formation at Blessed Sacrament spans cradle to adult. The parish runs OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formerly RCIA) for those exploring Catholicism, formal Children's Religious Education, and a wide adult formation program including Bible Timeline, Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible, the Denver Catholic Biblical School, Denver Catechetical School (Lay Division of St. John Vianney Seminary), The Search, and Advent/Lenten small groups. A Parish Library and prayer groups round out the offerings.

• OCIA Team — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
• Children's Religious Education
• Adult Faith Formation and Evangelization (Bonnie Corcoran, ext 213)
• The Great Adventure Bible Timeline studies
• Denver Catholic Biblical School & Denver Catechetical School
• The Search program
• Parish Library
• Men's Fellowship Group

Liturgical Ministries and Music

Parishioners serve the liturgy as Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, and Greeters, while Melissa Roldan directs the parish's music program. Adoration is supported by a dedicated volunteer team.

• Altar Servers
• Lectors
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Ushers / Greeters
• Music Director — Melissa Roldan
• Adoration volunteers

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (BSCS) is an Archdiocese of Denver Catholic school serving about 400+ students preschool through 8th grade in the heart of Park Hill. Founded in 1922 by the Sisters of Loretto with 57 students, it now offers a half- or full-day preschool for 2½–4-year-olds, an elementary program, a middle school, and specials in Spanish, Music, Art, PE, Technology, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. After-school care (Falcon's Nest) runs until 6:00 PM. The school is led by Principal Sara Alkayali and Fr. John Ludanha. School day: 7:40 AM – 3:00 PM. Address: 1958 Elm St., Denver, CO 80220; phone 303-377-8835.

• Preschool (2½–4 years), Elementary K–5, Middle School 6–8
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (atrium program)
• Specials: Spanish, Music, Art, PE, Technology
• Falcon's Nest after-school care until 6:00 PM
• In-parish tuition discount for registered Catholic families

Service and Outreach

The parish is rooted in corporal works of mercy, with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul serving neighbors in need face-to-face (utilities, rent, food, transportation; 303-322-4886) and additional ministries caring for seniors, dignity of life, and seasonal giving. The Knights of Columbus maintain a strong local council.

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul — 303-322-4886 (contact: Gail Viveiros, [email protected])
• Knights of Columbus
• Respect Life Ministry
• Senior Support Services
• Gift Giving Tree / Angel Tree

Parish Life and Community Events

Beyond the sacraments, Blessed Sacrament cultivates fellowship through seasonal community traditions and parish gatherings — including a Pancake Breakfast, Coffee and Donuts, the Corpus Christi Feast Day Cookout, and the parish's signature Oktoberblest. New parishioners are encouraged to register through Flocknote to receive the bulletin, give securely, and keep up with parish news.

• Oktoberblest (signature parish event)
• Corpus Christi Feast Day Cookout
• Pancake Breakfast
• Coffee and Donuts after Mass
• Parish Registration via Flocknote

Contact, Location, and Sacraments

Mail should be addressed to the parish office at 1958 Elm St., Denver, CO 80220; the church itself is at 4900 Montview Blvd. and does not receive mail. For sacramental emergencies (Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites), call 720-319-8365; for funeral preparation, call the parish office at 303-355-7361.

• Parish Office (mailing): 1958 Elm St., Denver, CO 80220 — 303-355-7361 — [email protected]
• Church: 4900 Montview Blvd., Denver, CO 80207 (no mail)
• School: 1958 Elm St., Denver, CO 80220 — 303-377-8835
• Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites: 720-319-8365
• Funeral Preparation: 303-355-7361
• New Parishioner Registration: [email protected]