About Our Lady of the Visitation · Kiowa, Colorado
Our Lady of the Visitation is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Colorado Springs serving the rural communities of Elbert County, Colorado, including Kiowa, Elizabeth, Franktown, and Elbert. The parish was founded in 1996 by Father Dennis Dwyer after a 28-year absence of Catholic worship in the county, and its church on County Road 33 was dedicated by Bishop Richard C. Hanifen on November 28, 1998. Today the parish ministers to approximately 200 families, offering weekend and daily Mass, confession, Eucharistic adoration, faith formation for children and youth, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), a Vacation Bible School, and a Pro-Life Ministry, under the pastoral care of Father John D. Stearns.
- Established
- 1996
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Visitation (the Blessed Virgin Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth)
- Rector
- Rev. John D. Stearns
- Diocese
- Diocese of Colorado Springs
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Visitation offers a small, faithful Catholic community in rural Elbert County where parishioners genuinely know one another and their priest. The parish provides the full rhythm of Catholic life — weekend and daily Mass, twice-weekly Eucharistic adoration, regular confession, faith formation for children and youth, OCIA for adults inquiring about the faith, a Pro-Life Ministry, and a growing Vacation Bible School. Father John Stearns and a committed staff have worked to rebuild ministries and foster steady stewardship, making it a welcoming place for young families, longtime country residents, and newcomers alike.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Visitation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 pm
- Wednesday after 8:30 am Mass
- Anytime by appointment (call 303-646-4964)
Adoration times
- Wednesday after 8:30 am Mass
- First Saturdays after 8:30 am Mass
Parish History
Our Lady of the Visitation is a young parish by Catholic standards, born in 1996 out of a clear pastoral need in Elbert County. Father Dennis Dwyer led the founding effort, celebrating the first Mass on Easter Sunday 1996 at St. Mark's Fellowship Hall in Kiowa — the first Catholic Mass in the county in 28 years. After a year of Masses in a storefront off County Road 17, the parish acquired a 60-acre property on County Road 33 in 1997. Bishop Richard C. Hanifen broke ground with Father Dwyer in April 1998 and dedicated the church on November 28, 1998. Over the decades the parish has been served by a succession of priests, with Father John D. Stearns becoming the current pastor in late June 2022.
- First Mass: Easter Sunday 1996, St. Mark's Fellowship Hall, Kiowa
- Storefront Masses: 1996–1997, off County Road 17 near Highway 86
- 60-acre property acquired summer 1997, County Road 33
- Groundbreaking: April 8, 1998 (Bishop Richard Hanifen and Fr. Dwyer)
- Church dedication: November 28, 1998 (Bishop Hanifen)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children and youth is coordinated by Laura Brand, Faith Formation Coordinator, with assistance from DRE Assistant Lorna Ei. The parish offers religious education spanning elementary through high school grades, sacramental preparation (including First Communion and Confirmation), and youth ministry. The 2026 spring season is set to bring the parish's largest group of First Communicants in recent memory, reflecting growing youth participation under Father Stearns.
- Religious education for children through high school
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Youth Ministry
- Vacation Bible School (summer)
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Our Lady of the Visitation walks inquirers and catechumens through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children (OCIA), the process by which adults enter the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism (if not already baptized), Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. OCIA is for those who have been away from the Church, Christians from other traditions exploring Catholicism, and the unbaptized. Classes meet on Tuesday evenings from September through Easter each year and include weekly presentations, study, discussion, and prayer.
- Tuesday evening sessions, September through Easter
- Open to the unbaptized, Christians from other traditions, and returning Catholics
- Contact: Laura Brand — [email protected] or 303-646-4964
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism includes preparation for parents and godparents; the Marriage preparation page describes the Church's teaching on marriage as a sign of the unity between Christ and his Church and invites couples of any faith background to learn more about God's plan for married life. Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders are also served. The Parish Office (303-646-4964) is the central contact for sacramental inquiries.
- Baptism — preparation for parents and godparents
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage — preparation and discernment resources
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
Parish Life & Ministries
Beyond the sacraments, the parish supports a Pro-Life Ministry and has been building out a stewardship culture under Father Stearns. In partnership with Catholic Stewardship Consultants, the parish developed a customized annual stewardship plan, a comprehensive stewardship renewal process, and a professionally designed parish newsletter that highlights parishioners, ministries, and concrete examples of stewardship in action. Attendance at family nights of adoration has grown, and weekly adoration after daily Mass is now a regular part of parish life.
- Pro-Life Ministry
- Stewardship renewal program
- Parish stewardship newsletter
- Fellowship and community life events
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by a small but dedicated team led by Father John D. Stearns, Pastor. Lay staff keep the parish running day to day, from the front office to the faith formation office to the bookkeeping desk. Inquiries about becoming Catholic, baptism, marriage, and other sacraments are best directed through the Parish Office at 303-646-4964.
- Rev. John D. Stearns — Pastor ([email protected])
- Susan Opfer — Office Manager ([email protected])
- Laura Brand — Faith Formation Coordinator ([email protected])
- Vivienne Alvarez — Parish Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Lorna Ei — DRE Assistant ([email protected])
Contact, Location, and Office Hours
Our Lady of the Visitation is located on a 60-acre property at 34201 County Road 33 in Kiowa, Colorado, situated between the towns of Elizabeth and Kiowa. The parish office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, excluding federal and church holidays. A directions link is provided on the parish's Contact page.
- Address: 34201 County Road 33, Kiowa, CO 80117
- Phone: (303) 646-4964
- Fax: (303) 646-9811
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm (excluding federal and church holidays)
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Dennis Dwyer1995–circa 2007
Visionary and founding priest; celebrated the first Mass on Easter Sunday 1996 at St. Mark's Fellowship Hall in Kiowa, ending a 28-year absence of Catholic worship in Elbert County; oversaw the purchase of the 60-acre County Road 33 property and the construction and dedication of the church in 1998.
- Fr. Brian MohanJune 2007–circa 2011
Reassigned from Ave Maria Parish in Parker to become the new pastor of OLV in June 2007.
- Fr. Marek KrolSeptember 2011–circa 2015
Came to the U.S. from Poland in September 2011 to take over as pastor.
- Fr. Robert Newbury, Jr.July 2015–circa 2020
Previously served at St. Catherine of Siena and St. Charles of Borromeo in Burlington and Stratton, Colorado; assigned as pastor in July 2015.
- Fr. Michael HolmquistDecember 2020–June 2022
Came from St. Paul parish in Colorado Springs to take over as pastor in December 2020.
- Fr. John D. StearnsLate June 2022–present
Arrived from St. Dominic Catholic Church in Security, Colorado; current pastor. Under his leadership weekly adoration, youth catechesis, and stewardship renewal have been strengthened.