About Guardian Angels · Denver, Colorado
Guardian Angels Catholic Church is a close-knit parish in northwest Denver, Colorado, established in 1953 and solemnly blessed by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr on December 15, 1954. The parish combines traditional parish ministry with a values-based Catholic school (preschool through 8th grade) that has operated on the same campus since 1962. It serves as a center of devotion centered on the Holy Guardian Angels and a hub of outreach to the homebound and neighbors in need in the northwest Denver community.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- The Holy Guardian Angels
- Rector
- Father Dan Zimmerschied
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
Guardian Angels offers the rare combination of a traditional, devotional Catholic parish and an on-site Catholic school (preschool–8th) all on one campus in northwest Denver. Longtime members, returning Catholics, and new converts come together around active ministries including Religious Education, a Music Ministry with choir and cantors, and outreach to homebound parishioners. With daily and weekend Masses, a regular confession schedule, and a school community that gathers for weekly Friday Mass and First Friday Adoration, it is a place where families can put down generational roots.
Mass times at Guardian Angels
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:00–7:30 a.m.
- Wednesday 7:00–7:30 a.m.
- Thursday 7:00–7:30 a.m.
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month, 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. (school community adoration)
Our Parish
Guardian Angels is a close-knit, long-standing parish in northwest Denver, established in 1953 and solemnly blessed by Archbishop Vehr on December 15, 1954. The parish identifies itself as 'a center of devotion and a hub of service to others,' creating an environment for lifelong faith formation where people of all ages can learn and participate in programs that help determine their spiritual and religious paths. Its mission reaches out to those not currently coming to church, to the homebound, and to anyone seeking a loving home with Jesus Christ.
History
Founded in June 1953 under founding pastor Rev. Leonard Redelberger, the parish built its church and hall together in 1954 to designs by architect John K. Monroe. Archbishop Urban J. Vehr blessed the completed church on December 15, 1954, dedicating it with a theme that still defines the parish: the Guardian Angels of every parishioner are patrons of the church itself. The parish school followed in 1962, originally staffed by Franciscan sisters from Marycrest Convent, and has grown to serve preschool through 8th grade.
- 1953 — Parish established in June; founding pastor Rev. Leonard Redelberger
- 1954 — Construction of church and hall by architect John K. Monroe (~$125,000)
- December 15, 1954 — Archbishop Vehr solemnly blesses the Church of the Guardian Angels
- 1962 — Guardian Angels Catholic School opens (K–6), staffed by Franciscan sisters from Marycrest Convent
- Later years — 7th and 8th grades added; preschool childcare program added
Pastor and Staff
Father Dan Zimmerschied serves as pastor, having joined Guardian Angels Parish in 2014. He was ordained May 31, 1997 by Archbishop Charles Chaput after training at St. Thomas (now John Vianney) Seminary in Denver and Mundelein Seminary in Chicago. Before Guardian Angels he served nine years as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul in southeast Denver and six years as pastor of three parishes in northeast Colorado (St. Patrick's, Christ the King, and St. Peter the Apostle).
- Father Dan Zimmerschied — Pastor (since 2014)
- Deacon Gary Miller — Director of Religious Education
- Mary Gold — Principal, Guardian Angels Catholic School
- Pat Barriga — Parish Secretary
Guardian Angels Catholic School
Guardian Angels Catholic School has provided Denver students with quality education in the Catholic tradition since 1962. The school offers strong academics and a moral grounding for preschool through 8th grade, plus a vibrant preschool childcare program. The curriculum follows the Archdiocese of Denver Office of Catholic Schools guidelines and includes religion, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, technology, art, physical education, and music.
- Founded 1962 by the Franciscan sisters from Marycrest Convent
- Preschool through 8th grade; active preschool childcare program
- Sacramental preparation: First Communion, First Reconciliation, Confirmation
- Weekly Friday Mass at 9:00 a.m. (students serve as worship leaders and choir)
- First Friday Adoration from noon–2:00 p.m.
- Special programs: Chopper Topper dental sealant program, Liturgy with the Archbishop for 5th graders, Garden Project outdoor lab
- School office: 303-480-9005; website guardianangelsprek8.org
Parish Ministries
The parish sustains a small but active set of ministries that touch music, faith formation, and outreach to the homebound. The Music Ministry, led by Michelle Greenwald, follows St. Augustine's principle that 'when you sing you pray twice' and welcomes singers, cantors, and musicians. The Homebound Ministry coordinates caring friendship, daily errands, and delivery of items for elderly parishioners, and additional outreach supports neighbors in need throughout the community.
- Music Ministry (choir and cantors) — contact Michelle Greenwald
- Religious Education / Children's Faith Formation — Deacon Gary Miller, DRE
- Homebound Ministry — contact Janet Wesenberg
- Parish outreach ministry — contact Dee Aragon
- Volunteer service and 'giving' ministry referenced through the parish giving portal
Faith Formation and Sacraments
Religious Education is directed by Deacon Gary Miller and operates alongside the parish school to form parishioners of all ages. Sacramental preparation for First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation is offered through the school, while families seeking Baptism, Marriage, or other sacraments are invited to contact the Parish Office for preparation.
- Director of Religious Education: Deacon Gary Miller
- School-based sacramental preparation (First Communion, First Reconciliation, Confirmation)
- Baptism, Marriage, and other sacraments arranged through the Parish Office (303-433-8361)
Service and Outreach
True to its self-description as a 'hub of service to others,' Guardian Angels operates an active Homebound Ministry that pairs parishioners with elderly neighbors for friendship, errands, and the delivery of items. The parish's broader outreach gathers 'long-time church members, returning Catholics, and new converts together to build community, encourage spiritual growth, and extend support to neighbors in need,' with stewardship supported through a secure online giving portal.
- Homebound visits and errands
- Support for returning Catholics and new converts
- Stewardship through the parish's secure online giving portal
Visit, Contact, and Giving
Guardian Angels Catholic Church is located at 1843 W 52nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80221, on a campus shared with Guardian Angels Catholic School (1843 W 52nd Avenue; school office 303-480-9005). The Parish Office can be reached at (303) 433-8361. Worshippers and visitors are welcomed to Mass on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m., and on weekday mornings as posted.
- Parish address: 1843 W 52nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80221
- Parish phone: (303) 433-8361
- School phone: (303) 480-9005
- School website: guardianangelsprek8.org
- Secure online giving portal available through the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Leonard Redelberger1953–?
Founding pastor at the time of construction and dedication of the church in 1954.
- Father Dan Zimmerschied2014–present
Joined Guardian Angels Parish in 2014 after serving at St. Vincent de Paul in southeast Denver and three parishes in northeast Colorado.