About Sacred Heart Church (Main Church for Sacred Heart Parish) · Colorado Springs, Colorado
Sacred Heart Parish is a welcoming Catholic community in Old Colorado City, Colorado Springs, Colorado, served by priests of the Congregation of Holy Cross since 1984. The parish is a single apostolate made up of three churches: Sacred Heart Church (the main church on West Colorado Avenue), Holy Rosary Chapel in Cascade, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Manitou Springs. The current pastor is Fr. Jarrod Waugh, C.S.C., with Fr. Vincent Nguyen, C.S.C., as associate pastor. The parish traces its roots to 1888 as St. Mary's of Colorado City, was renamed Sacred Heart in 1922, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022.
- Established
- 1888 (as St. Mary's mission); renamed Sacred Heart in 1922; Holy Cross arrival 1984
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Jarrod M. Waugh, C.S.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Colorado Springs
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a small, historic Spanish Mission church in Old Colorado City where parishioners can know their priests by name — Fr. Jarrod Waugh, C.S.C., and Fr. Vincent Nguyen, C.S.C., both Congregation of Holy Cross. The parish runs a full sacramental life (daily Mass, three Sunday Masses, confession on Thursdays and Saturdays, weekly adoration, Anointing of the Sick on First Fridays, OCIA/RCIA, baptism and marriage prep, children's faith formation, confirmation prep, youth ministry, and pastoral care to the homebound) and serves three worship sites — Sacred Heart, Holy Rosary Chapel in Cascade, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Manitou Springs — giving newcomers multiple ways to belong. With a recently restored worship space, accessible St. André House meeting rooms, livestreamed Vigil Masses, and a diocesan-award-winning history, it is a parish rooted in both 19th-century Colorado City and the contemporary Holy Cross mission 'to make God known, loved and served.'
Mass times at Sacred Heart Church (Main Church for Sacred Heart Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday, 5:30–6:30 pm
- Saturday, 9:00–10:00 am
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday, 5:30–6:30 pm
- Saturday, after the 8:00 am Daily Mass until 9:00 am
Parish History
Sacred Heart Parish began in 1888 as St. Mary's, a mission church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Manitou Springs, located on 26th Street and Robinson Avenue in 'Colorado City.' As the congregation grew, Rev. J.H. Brinker and Rev. Humphrey V. Darley oversaw construction of a new Spanish Mission-style church at 21st Street and Colorado Avenue, designed by architect Thomas MacLaren. The new building was dedicated on July 16, 1922, as Sacred Heart Catholic Church — the newest and grandest church on the west side of Colorado Springs. In 1926, the Bishop of Denver invited the Oblates of Mary Immaculate to assume pastoral care of Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Holy Rosary Chapel in Cascade joined as a second mission in 1931. The Oblates opened Sacred Heart Grade School in 1955 (staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison, KS), which closed in 1981. In 1984, when the Diocese of Colorado Springs was created, Bishop Richard Hanifen invited the Congregation of Holy Cross to take over the parish — a relationship that continues today.
- 1888 — St. Mary's founded in Colorado City
- July 16, 1922 — New church dedicated as Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- 1926 — Oblates of Mary Immaculate assume pastoral care; first Oblate pastor Rev. James T. McDermott, O.M.I.
- 1931 — Holy Rosary Chapel (Cascade) added as second mission
- 1955 — Sacred Heart Grade School opened (Benedictine Sisters of Atchison, KS)
- 1981 — Sacred Heart Grade School closed
- 1984 — Diocese of Colorado Springs formed; Congregation of Holy Cross arrives; Fr. Leroy Clementich, C.S.C., first Holy Cross pastor; Fr. Ronald Raab, C.S.C., first associate
- 1992 — Interior renovation under Fr. Clem adds large stained-glass reredos
- May 23, 2018 — Sacred Heart Church rededicated after full restoration; relic of St. André Bessette placed in altar
- 2022 — St. André House completed from the old rectory; 100th anniversary celebrated July 16
Renovations & Restorations
After decades of minimal change, Sacred Heart Church underwent a careful restoration beginning in 2013 when Fr. Ronald Raab, C.S.C., returned to the parish. The interior was rebuilt to its original Spanish Mission style with handcrafted altar furniture, a new baptistry, and new pews by Geoffrey Keating of Keating Woodworks. Bishop Emeritus Michael Sheridan rededicated the church on May 23, 2018. The 'old rectory' next door was then renovated into St. André House — a parish meeting house with handicap-accessible restrooms, common meeting space and classrooms, named for St. André Bessette, the first canonized saint of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The campus work earned the 2018 Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs Rehabilitation/Restoration Award and the 2021 Bronze Best in Business (Nonprofits) from the Colorado Business Journal.
- 1992 interior renovation — large stained-glass reredos screen installed behind altar
- 2018 full restoration — Spanish Mission style interior by Keating Woodworks
- Relic of St. André Bessette sealed in the new altar
- St. André House meeting/classroom facility with first handicap-accessible restrooms on campus
The Congregation of Holy Cross
Sacred Heart Parish has been staffed by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross since 1984, when Bishop Richard Hanifen — the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Colorado Springs — requested Holy Cross's help pastoring Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Holy Rosary Chapel. Holy Cross priests and brothers are based in South Bend, Indiana, and serve in 13 parishes across the United States and in 16 countries worldwide. Each year, the parish welcomes a new class of Holy Cross Novices who spend a formation year in prayer and discernment at the Holy Cross Novitiate in Cascade, Colorado, while participating in parish life at Sacred Heart. Fr. LeRoy E. Clementich, C.S.C., was the first Holy Cross pastor; Fr. Ronald P. Raab, C.S.C., was the first associate pastor.
- Holy Cross arrived at Sacred Heart Parish in 1984
- Holy Cross Headquarters: South Bend, Indiana
- Holy Cross Novitiate: Cascade, CO (each class of novices joins parish life at Sacred Heart)
- Current Superior General: Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. (14th Superior General)
Three Churches, One Parish
Sacred Heart Parish is a single apostolate comprising three worship sites in and around Colorado Springs. Sacred Heart Church — the main church — stands in Old Colorado City at 2030 W. Colorado Ave. The two mission churches extend the parish up the mountain corridor: Holy Rosary Chapel in Cascade and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Manitou Springs, the oldest Catholic church in the Diocese.
- Sacred Heart Church — 2030 W. Colorado Ave., Old Colorado City (main church)
- Holy Rosary Chapel — Cascade, CO (Saturday Mass at 4:00 pm)
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel — Manitou Springs, CO (Sunday Mass at 5:00 pm)
Sacraments
The Catholic Church's seven sacraments are celebrated regularly at Sacred Heart Parish. Preparation is offered for Baptism (infant/toddler), Confirmation (8th grade program, plus adult OCIA), First Eucharist, Marriage (FOCCUS-based preparation), and the Anointing of the Sick. Reconciliation is available weekly and by appointment. The parish office can connect families with the appropriate coordinator for each sacrament.
- Baptism — preparation class required for infant/toddler baptism
- Confirmation — 8th-grade program; adults via OCIA
- Eucharist — at any Mass; First Communion via Children's Faith Formation
- Reconciliation — Thu 5:30–6:30 pm; Sat 9:00–10:00 am; by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — First Friday of the month during 8:00 am Mass
- Marriage — FOCCUS preparation; contact the parish office
- OCIA — adults, teens and children over 7 entering full communion
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Sacred Heart's faith formation is led by Director of Faith Formation Mary Superata. Children's Faith Formation meets on Sundays, 10:10–11:25 am in the Parish Center, serving children from Kindergarten through 7th grade. Confirmation Preparation for 8th graders also meets Sundays, 10:10–11:25 am, but in St. André House. Youth Ministry is led by a dedicated Youth Minister on staff. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) is open to adults, teens, and children over 7 — whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or Catholic but never confirmed. The OCIA process typically begins in the fall, includes attending the 9:00 am Sunday Mass, community formation at 10:15 am, and breakout sessions ending at noon, and concludes (when ready) at the Easter Vigil with Baptism, Eucharist and/or Confirmation.
- Mary Superata — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected], ext. 105)
- Children's Faith Formation (K–7) — Sundays 10:10–11:25 am, Parish Center
- Confirmation Preparation (8th grade) — Sundays 10:10–11:25 am, St. André House
- OCIA — Sundays beginning at 9:00 am Mass; community formation 10:15 am; breakout until noon
- Youth Ministry — staffed by a parish Youth Minister
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Liturgical ministries at Sacred Heart span all three church sites and are coordinated by Sue Gerlach, Director of Music Ministry and Liturgy Coordinator. Volunteers are needed for Mass roles across Sacred Heart Church, Holy Rosary Chapel in Cascade, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Manitou Springs. The music ministry leads congregational singing and liturgical music at Masses and special services throughout the year.
- Sue Gerlach — Director of Music Ministry / Liturgy Coordinator ([email protected], ext. 102)
- Liturgical volunteer opportunities across all three worship sites
Pastoral Care & Outreach
Sacred Heart Parish's Pastoral Care Ministry brings Holy Communion to parishioners who are sick, homebound, or in care facilities. The parish has a long history of community outreach: until 2020 it hosted the Lord's Dinner, a weekly hot meal for neighbors in need, for nearly 40 years. The parish continues to coordinate volunteers, communications, and Safe Environment compliance through its parish office.
- Pastoral Care Ministry — Communion visits to the sick and homebound
- Former outreach: the Lord's Dinner weekly hot meal (almost 40 years, ended 2020)
- Grace Donnelly — Communications, Volunteer & Safe Environment Coordinator
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Fr. Jarrod Waugh, C.S.C. (Pastor) and Fr. Vincent Nguyen, C.S.C. (Associate Pastor), supported by Deacons Timothy Sawyer and Robert Elliott (per parish staff page; the diocesan directory also lists Deacons Mark Thuli, Dave Illingworth and Wally Sandoval). The lay staff includes Mary Superata (Faith Formation), Sue Gerlach (Music Ministry/Liturgy), Grace Donnelly (Communications, Volunteer & Safe Environment), Ruth Henley (Receptionist/Front Office) and Jimmy Gibson (Facilities Manager), with Timothy Sawyer also serving as Youth Minister.
- Fr. Jarrod Waugh, C.S.C. — Pastor
- Fr. Vincent Nguyen, C.S.C. — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Timothy Sawyer (parish staff page) — Youth Minister
- Deacon Robert Elliott (parish staff page)
- Deacon Mark Thuli, Deacon Dave Illingworth, Deacon Wally Sandoval (per diocese directory)
- Mary Superata — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 105)
- Sue Gerlach — Director of Music Ministry / Liturgy Coordinator (ext. 102)
- Grace Donnelly — Communications, Volunteer & Safe Environment Coordinator
- Ruth Henley — Parish Receptionist / Front Office
- Jimmy Gibson — Facilities Manager
Getting Involved
Sacred Heart invites parishioners and visitors to get involved through faith formation, sacrament-preparation, liturgical, pastoral care, and youth ministry volunteer opportunities. OCIA sponsors, baptism-preparation volunteers, FOCCUS marriage-prep facilitators, and youth ministry helpers are all needed. Communications and parish-wide updates are distributed through Flocknote, including the 'Straight from the Heart' weekly video series featuring parish interviews and reflections.
- OCIA Sponsors / Volunteers
- Baptism Preparation Volunteers
- Marriage Preparation / FOCCUS Volunteers
- Children's Faith Formation Volunteers
- Confirmation Preparation Volunteers
- Youth Ministry Volunteers
- Liturgical Ministry Volunteers
- Pastoral Care Ministry Volunteers
- Flocknote parish communications — https://sacredheartparish14.flocknote.com/
Visit, Contact & Directions
The parish office is open Sunday 8:00 am–noon and Monday–Thursday 8:30 am–3:00 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm for lunch). The physical address is 2030 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80904, located on the corner of 21st Street and Colorado Avenue in Old Colorado City, west of downtown Colorado Springs and west of I-25. The mailing/delivery address is 2021 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80904. General parking is available in the parish lot, with handicap-accessible parking on site. The parish livestreams the Saturday 5:30 pm Vigil Mass on its website and posts a recording that remains available all week.
- Parish Office phone: 719-633-8711 (Fax 719-633-1859 per diocese)
- Parish Office email: [email protected]
- Physical address: 2030 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- Mailing/delivery address: 2021 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- Parish Office Hours: Sun 8:00 am–noon; Mon–Thu 8:30 am–3:00 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm)
- Location: corner of 21st St. & Colorado Ave., Old Colorado City
- Parking: general lot parking plus handicap-accessible spaces
- Livestream: Saturday 5:30 pm Vigil Mass via sacredheartcos.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. J.H. Brinker & Rev. Humphrey V. Darleypre-1922 to 1922 dedication
Built the new church at 21st & Colorado Ave.; church dedicated July 16, 1922 as Sacred Heart.
- Rev. James T. McDermott, O.M.I.from 1926
First Oblates of Mary Immaculate pastor; took over Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
- Fr. Leroy (LeRoy E.) Clementich, C.S.C.1984–c.2013
First Holy Cross pastor after 1984 diocesan formation; oversaw 1992 interior renovation with stained-glass reredos; converted old grade school into Parish Center.
- Fr. Ronald (Ronald P.) Raab, C.S.C.2013–2022 (parish pastor); originally associate pastor 1984
Led 2018 restoration of the Spanish Mission interior and creation of St. André House; transferred to St. Edward's University, Austin, TX in July 2022.
- Fr. Jarrod M. Waugh, C.S.C.2022–present
Current pastor; installed July 2022 during the 100th anniversary year.