About Holy Rosary · Denver, Colorado
Holy Rosary Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish located at 4688 Pearl Street in the Globeville neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, within the Archdiocese of Denver. Founded in 1918 by Slovenian and Croatian immigrants and dedicated on July 4, 1920, the parish today serves a vibrant, predominantly Hispanic congregation alongside descendants of the original founders, offering Mass in both English and Spanish. The historic white-brick Romanesque Revival church — designed by architect A. Desjardins with twin bell towers and a rose window — was listed on the Colorado State Historic register in 1999. Under pastor Rev. Francisco (Frank) J. Garcia, appointed by Archbishop Samuel Aquila in July 2020, the parish continues its century-old tradition of Marian devotion, bilingual liturgy, and active community life.
- Established
- 1918
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (Queen of the Most Holy Rosary / Kraljica sv. Roznega Venca)
- Rector
- Rev. Francisco J. (Frank) Garcia
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
Holy Rosary is a bilingual parish where descendants of the original Slovenian and Croatian founders worship side by side with a vibrant Hispanic congregation — a true meeting of two Catholic traditions in one historic church. Parishioners share a deep Marian devotion (commemorating both the Feast of the Holy Rosary on October 7 and Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12), and the parish offers a full life of faith: weekday and Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, monthly Nocturnal Adoration, weekly Charismatic Prayer, Bible Study, Cursillos, marriage preparation, Quinceañeras, RCIA, a youth group, and choirs for adults and children. Under Father Frank Garcia's energetic leadership, attendance, baptisms, weddings and religious-education enrollment have all grown — making it a warm place to belong in Denver's Globeville neighborhood.
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday after the 9:00 AM Mass
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — each Friday after the 9:00 AM Mass until 10:30 AM
- Nocturnal Adoration — second Saturday of each month at 8:00 PM
History of Holy Rosary
Holy Rosary was born from the dream of Slovenian and Croatian immigrants in Denver's Globeville neighborhood. After an 1902 attempt to organize a parish was rejected by Bishop Nicholas C. Matz, Father Cyril Zupan, OSB began traveling from Pueblo by train to celebrate Mass at St. Jacob's Croatian Hall. In February 1918 Bishop J. Henry Tihen created Holy Rosary Parish; the cornerstone was blessed August 17, 1919, and Bishop Tihen dedicated the new Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church on July 4, 1920. A century later the parish — now bilingual English/Spanish — continues to grow under pastor Father Frank Garcia, who was appointed July 1, 2020 by Archbishop Samuel Aquila.
- Founded February 1918; church dedicated July 4, 1920
- Slovenian and Croatian fraternal societies (KSKJ, Western Slavonic, American Fraternal Union, Croatian Fraternal Union) raised construction funds
- First pastor: Rev. Cyril Zupan, OSB (1918–1921)
- Designed by architect A. Desjardins in Romanesque Revival style
- Colorado State Historic status granted in 1999
- Centennial Mass celebrated by Archbishop Samuel Aquila
Parish Staff & Clergy
Holy Rosary is led by Rev. Francisco J. (Frank) Garcia, who was appointed pastor by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila on July 1, 2020 for a six-year term under canons 519 and 522. He is assisted by Deacon Pablo Salas and parish staff including bookkeeper Gerardo Duarte and secretary Maria Elisa Olivas.
- Rev. Francisco J. (Frank) Garcia — Pastor (from July 1, 2020)
- Pablo Salas — Deacon
- Gerardo Duarte — Bookkeeper
- Maria Elisa Olivas — Secretary
Apostolic Groups & Prayer Meetings
Spanish-language apostolic groups (Grupos Apostólicos) meet throughout the week and are a vibrant part of parish life. Contact the parish office or Alma Bustillos (720-365-9479) for more information.
- Charismatic Prayer (Oración Carismática) — Mondays & Fridays, 7:00 PM
- Bible Study (Grupo Biblia) — Tuesdays, 7:00 PM
- Apologetics Classes — Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 PM in the church
- Cursillos — Thursdays, 7:00 PM
- Prayer Group (Grupo de Oración) — Mondays, 7:00 PM
Faith Formation, RCIA & Sacramental Preparation
Holy Rosary prepares children and adults for the sacraments through religious-education classes (catecismo), First Communion and Confirmation programs, and the RCIA/OCIA process for those becoming Catholic. Under Father Frank Garcia, enrollment in religious education and the number of couples in marriage preparation and RCIA have all grown. Confirmation and First Communion rehearsals are scheduled annually, and new Catholics are received into Full Communion at the Easter Vigil.
- Religious Education / Catechism (Catecismo)
- First Communion & Confirmation preparation
- RCIA / OCIA — Becoming Catholic (reception at Easter Vigil)
- Marriage preparation classes — Spanish (Friday evenings)
- Marriage preparation — English
- Marriage Encounter (Encuentro Matrimonial)
Youth, Music & Liturgical Ministries
Young parishioners are involved in the Grupo de Jóvenes (youth group), a young people's choir, and the annual Stations of the Cross. Adult and youth choirs support both English and Spanish liturgies; the music ministry has deep roots — the parish replaced a reed organ with a Reuter pipe organ in 1932. Liturgical volunteers include altar servers (contact Don Diaz after Mass), lectors, and cantors.
- Youth Group (Grupo de Jóvenes)
- Young People's Choir
- Adult Choir
- Altar Servers (contact Don Diaz)
- Lectors
- Bilingual Stations of the Cross
Parish Life, Festivals & Community
Holy Rosary is known for its community-wide celebrations, including the annual parish festival and bazaar each September, the 'Homecoming' gathering where anyone connected to the parish shares food, photos and memories, a gigantic yard sale, anniversary celebrations, and bilingual feast-day Masses. Volunteers support food sales, the church building, convent and school restoration, and the parish hall (created from the former parish school).
- Annual Parish Festival & Bazaar (early September, Friday dinner + Sunday celebration)
- Homecoming — former parishioners, food, photos and memories
- Giant yard sale fundraiser
- Bilingual anniversary and feast-day Masses
- Volunteer restoration days for church, convent and school
- Parish hall (former school) for parish events
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:15 AM to 3:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch and closed Mondays). Visitors are encouraged to call 303-297-1962 or email [email protected] for baptisms, marriage preparation, religious education, Quinceañeras, or general inquiries. Sacramental emergencies are handled at 720-580-1516. Follow parish news on Facebook.
- Phone: 303-297-1962
- Email: [email protected]
- Sacramental emergencies: 720-580-1516
- Office hours: Tue–Fri, 9:15 AM–3:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM; closed Mondays)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolyRosaryChurchDenver
- Address: 4688 Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80216
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Cyril Zupan, OSB1918–1921
Founding pastor; also served St. Mary's Parish in Pueblo. Traveled from Pueblo by train to say Mass in Globeville.
- Rev. John J. Judnicfrom February 1921
Native of Kot, Slovenia; guided the fledgling congregation.
- Father Leopold Mihelichby 1969
Pastored during neighborhood decline; parish school closed May 1969.
- Msgr. Edward A. Leyden1977–1980
Continued Slovenian liturgical traditions (Easter baskets, Zvelichar procession); obtained protective coverings for the stained glass.
- Rev. Edmund Kestel1980–1982
Accomplished musician and musical scholar; introduced the Polka Mass.
- Father Joseph Meznar1982–November 2009 (27 years)
Baptized at Holy Rosary (parents married there); oversaw 1995 interior restoration financed by Western Slavonic Association.
- Father Noé Carreón2010–
First bilingual pastor; arrived amid 2008 economic collapse; turned the former school into a parish center.
- Father Felix Zemeño Martín
Continued renovations and congregation-building after Father Noé.
- Msgr. Jorge de Los Santos
Continued renovations and congregation-building.
- Father Luis Escandón
Known for articulate, inspiring homilies; connected English-speaking descendants with Spanish-speaking community.
- Rev. Francisco J. (Frank) GarciaJuly 1, 2020–present (six-year term)
Escaped Cuba as a child; appointed by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila for a six-year period (canons 519 & 522).