About Saint Michael · Calhan, Colorado
St. Michael Roman Catholic Church is a small mission parish serving the ranching communities of Calhan, Colorado and the plains between Colorado Springs and Limon. Founded in 1905 by Father G. Raber as the first Catholic church in Calhan, the parish today operates from its 1967-built church at 574 Eighth Street and is pastored by Fr. Bob Newbury under the Diocese of Colorado Springs. The parish is known for its warm, family-like community, active men's and women's clubs, an annual College Scholarship program, and beloved traditions like the Annual Bazaar, Community Yard & Craft Sale, and Seder meal.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Robert G. (Bob) Newbury, Jr.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Colorado Springs
Why belong here
St. Michael's is a rural parish where everyone knows each other and pulls together — parishioners describe themselves as 'one great extended family.' The community offers daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Sacramental preparation (including RCIA/OCIA), an active Music Ministry, a College Scholarship program, and beloved annual traditions like the Bazaar, Community Yard & Craft Sale, Seder meal, and seasonal BBQs. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed, and the parish invites registration through English and Spanish forms for anyone wishing to call St. Michael their parish home.
Mass times at Saint Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Adoration times
- First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Parish History & Heritage
St. Michael's traces its roots to 1905, when Father G. Raber built the first Catholic church in the rural town of Calhan. Originally part of the Archdiocese of Denver, the parish gradually absorbed three other mission churches — Sacred Heart in Ramah, St. Agnes in Matheson, and the Holtwood Congregation in Simla — and built a new, larger church in 1967 to accommodate its growing congregation. In 1985, St. Michael was integrated into the newly formed Diocese of Colorado Springs. The parish marked its centennial on June 26, 2005, with a Mass and a community carnival that remains a point of parish pride.
- Founded 1905 by Fr. G. Raber
- Current church built 1967
- Joined Diocese of Colorado Springs in 1985
- 100th anniversary celebrated June 26, 2005
- Consolidated churches: Sacred Heart (Ramah), St. Agnes (Matheson), Holtwood (Simla)
St. Michael the Archangel — Our Patron
St. Michael the Archangel is venerated as a spiritual warrior, champion of justice, healer of the sick, and guardian of the Church. The parish maintains a detailed Fact Sheet on its stained glass window honoring him, recognizing his four 'offices' in Catholic tradition: Defender of the Faith, Guardian Prince of Israel, Angel of Death (escorting souls to heaven), and Weigher of Souls. The parish website publishes the Act of Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel, the Chaplet of St. Michael, and the original Exorcism Prayer of St. Michael the Archangel (by Pope Leo XIII) in English, Latin, and Spanish.
- Feast Day: September 29
- Stained glass window by artist Jane Riege (Glass Menagerie, Colorado Springs)
- Prayer to St. Michael (truncated from Pope Leo XIII exorcism prayer)
- Four traditional roles: Defender of Faith, Guardian of Israel, Angel of Death, Weigher of Souls
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by pastor Fr. Bob (Robert G.) Newbury, Jr., supported by Sacramental Minister Fr. Dan Ayers and parish administrator Tony Rawe. Joan Claman serves as Office/Business Manager. Sacramental emergencies (Anointing of the Sick, Last Rites, Prayers of the Dying or Dead) can be directed to a dedicated priest emergency contact line (720-308-6378) outside of normal business hours.
- Pastor: Fr. Bob Newbury (since July 1, 2023)
- Sacramental Minister: Fr. Dan Ayers
- Administrator: Tony Rawe
- Office/Business Manager: Joan Claman
- Sacramental Emergency: 720-308-6378
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The parish offers Faith Formation for children and youth, plus a Sacramental Preparation Program for First Communion and Confirmation. Adults seeking baptism (ages 7 and older) participate in the RCIA process — being retitled OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) by the end of 2024. Inquiries about RCIA/OCIA should be directed to the pastor at 719-347-2290.
- Children/Youth Faith Formation classes
- Sacramental Preparation Program (First Communion, Confirmation)
- RCIA / OCIA for adults and children 7+
- Registration forms available in English and Spanish
Liturgical Ministries
St. Michael's is supported by a robust set of liturgical ministries, each with detailed policies and procedures published on the parish website. Following the Church's norm of 'one ministry per person per Mass,' the parish is currently seeking a part-time Liturgical Pianist (Musical Accompanist) to support its Music Ministry.
- Music Ministry (Choir, Cantor, Instrumentalists) — seeking a pianist
- Altar Server Ministry
- Reader / Lector Ministry
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC), including EMHC to the Homebound
- Usher Ministry
- Sacristan Ministry (with detailed checklists for Masses, Baptisms, Funerals, Weddings, Adoration)
Parish Life, Clubs & Annual Traditions
Despite being a small rural parish, St. Michael's enjoys a rich community life. Active men's and women's clubs meet regularly, and the parish hosts signature annual events — the Annual Bazaar, Community Yard & Craft Sale, Seder meal, and seasonal Breakfasts and Barbeques — that draw together the ranching communities between Colorado Springs and Limon. The parish also takes part in Christmas Caroling and Calhan's 'Take Back the Night' community walk.
- Men's Club
- Women's Club
- Annual Bazaar
- Annual Community Yard & Craft Sale
- Annual Seder Meal
- Breakfasts and BBQs throughout the year
- Christmas Caroling
- Calhan's 'Take Back the Night' community walk
Scholarship & Fundraising
The parish runs an annual College Scholarship Program (the 2025 application cycle is currently open) to support parishioners pursuing higher education, and offers SCRIP gift cards as an ongoing fundraiser. Secure online giving is available through Flocknote.
- 2025 St. Michael Scholarship Program (application open)
- SCRIP Gift Card Fundraising
- Online Giving via Flocknote
- Parish Marian Grotto Memorial & Commemorative Bricks
Parish Governance
St. Michael's is governed by Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, whose statutes were promulgated by Bishop Sheridan on December 5, 2011, and whose policies and procedures were updated in March 2022. The parish follows the Diocese of Colorado Springs Document Retention Policy (March 31, 2014) and provides guidelines for parish-level fundraising, building use, and ministry titles.
- St. Michael Pastoral Council
- St. Michael Finance Council
- Statutes promulgated by Bishop Sheridan, Dec 5, 2011
- Parish Policies & Procedures updated March 2022
Getting Involved & Contact
New parishioners are warmly invited to register via the parish's online form (English or Spanish). Sacramental emergencies can be directed to the priest's emergency number (720-308-6378); all other inquiries should go through the parish office at (719) 347-2290 or [email protected]. The parish also maintains an active Facebook page for news and updates.
- Parish Registration Form (English & Español)
- Office Phone: (719) 347-2290
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/StMichaelCalhan
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 199, Calhan, CO 80808
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. G. Raber1905 (founder)
Built the first Catholic church in Calhan.
- Fr. Jaimes Ponce2017
Named pastor July 1, 2017.
- Fr. Francisco J. Quezada2019
Named parochial administrator July 1, 2019.
- Fr. Michael Goodyear2020
Named pastor July 1, 2020.
- Fr. Bob Newbury2021–present
Parochial administrator from August 1, 2021; named pastor July 1, 2023.