About Shrine of Saint Anne · Arvada, Colorado
The Shrine of St. Anne is a Roman Catholic parish and shrine in Olde Town Arvada, Colorado, belonging to the Archdiocese of Denver. Founded in 1920 and dedicated by Bishop J. Henry Tihen on June 25, 1922, it was inspired by the famous Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Quebec and houses a first-class relic of St. Anne (a particle of her wrist bone). The parish serves the Arvada community with weekend and daily Masses, a K-8 Catholic school, faith formation for all ages, an active Social Outreach Ministry, and traditional devotions including perpetual-adoration-style mornings, weekly Our Mother of Perpetual Help novenas, and a parish Rosary Makers group.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- St. Anne (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Peter Wojda
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
The Shrine of St. Anne is a 100+ year-old parish that blends historic Catholic identity with active community life: a 1920s Lombard-Romanesque church in the heart of Olde Town Arvada housing a first-class relic of St. Anne, a thriving K-8 school, family-style faith formation from PreK through high school, and a deep devotional life that includes daily Mass with a pre-Mass rosary, Tuesday-morning adoration, a weekly Our Mother of Perpetual Help novena, Eucharistic anointing of the sick on first Saturdays, and a Rosary Makers group. Members can serve through more than twenty ministries — liturgical (music, lectors, EMHCs, altar servers, sacristans, ushers, greeters, homebound ministry), parish (Altar & Rosary Society, Men's Club, Knights of Columbus, Health Ministry, Catholics in Recovery, Young Adults, Senior Saints, Little Flowers, Mad Hatters) — and reach outward through a Social Outreach Ministry partnered with Catholic Charities, a Christmas Giving Tree, clothing drives, and the A.R.M.S. food pantry. For Catholics in the Arvada area who want a parish that takes both tradition and the corporal works of mercy seriously, St. Anne's offers a strong spiritual home.
Mass times at Shrine of Saint Anne
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 9:15 am
- Tuesdays at 9:00 am
- By special appointment with Fr. Peter Wojda (call 303-420-1280)
- Advent & Lenten special Reconciliation Services (as announced)
Adoration times
- Tuesday mornings after the 8:30 am Mass (weekly Adoration)
History of the Shrine of St. Anne
The Shrine of St. Anne is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the Arvada area, founded in 1920 and formally dedicated by Bishop J. Henry Tihen on June 25, 1922. It was built as a true shrine to St. Anne — modeled on the famous Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Quebec — and given a first-class relic of St. Anne by the bishop himself. Over more than a century it has survived the Great Depression, the KKK, a parish debt crisis, and multiple building campaigns, growing from a small railroad-town church into a thriving K-8 parish and shrine of the Archdiocese of Denver. A full century-spanning narrative is told in the parish-published book 'Shrine of St. Anne, A History, 1920–2010' by Lois Cunniff Lindstrom and is summarized on the parish's own Parish History page.
- July 4, 1920 — cornerstone laid by Bishop Tihen; 800+ petitions sealed inside
- June 25, 1922 — formal dedication; relic of St. Anne and altar stone presented
- 1935 — altar railing installed
- 1936 — first annual spaghetti dinner (Anna Spano, head cook)
- 1940 — Bonham Rose Window transformed in memory of James and Lena Bonham
- 1948 — new rectory blessed by Archbishop Vehr
- 1956 — twelve luminous upper windows installed
- 1961 — Shrine of St. Anne Catholic School opens (Sept 5, 108 students, grades 6–7)
- 1963 — church expanded ($151,000) and Mary Mapley stained-glass windows installed
- 1971–1980 — Claretian Missionary Fathers era
- 1977 — A.R.M.S. (Arvada Resource for Ministry and Service) founded
- 2001–2002 — McCormick Center (parish center) built under Fr. Croak
- 2020 — centennial celebrated; Solemn Dedication of renovated altar by Archbishop Aquila
Architecture & Sacred Art
Designed in 1920 by Denver architect Harry James Manning, the Shrine is a tall beige-brick church in a Spanish Romanesque / Lombard style with colorful terracotta trim, decorative beltcourses, a columned arcade above the front gable holding a statue of St. Anne, a large double-door entry beneath a round rose window, simple buttresses, and a landmark rear square bell tower. The interior is dominated by a barrel-vaulted ceiling lit by the famous Bonham Rose Window (1940) and by the Mary Mapley stained-glass windows (1963), the latter being what the parish calls 'a sacred element of the church today.'
- Architect: Harry James Manning (1920)
- Style: Spanish Romanesque / Lombard with terracotta trim
- Inspiration: Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec
- Rear square bell tower (a local landmark)
- Bonham Rose Window (front, in memory of James and Lena Bonham, 1940)
- Mary Mapley stained-glass windows (1963)
- Altar railing (1935) — symbol of 'the setting apart of the most holy place'
- Relic of St. Anne (wrist bone, 1922, from Apt, France)
- 2020 renovation and Solemn Dedication of the altar (Archbishop Aquila, Sept 22, 2020)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Anne's runs a comprehensive, multi-generational formation program led by Director of Faith Formation Karen Oldham. Family Faith Formation is offered twice a month on Sunday mornings (9:00–10:30 am) for children from PreK (age 4) through high school, using the Pflaum Gospel Weekly (based on the Sunday scripture readings) and a curriculum that intentionally involves parents as the 'first and foremost teachers of the faith.' There are dedicated tracks for PreK–5th Grade, Jr. High (6–8), and Sr. High (9–12), plus Vacation Bible School, OCIA / 'Become Catholic' for adults, Adult Confirmation, and ongoing adult enrichment such as the Great Adventure Bible Study series. The parish also provides access to FORMED for online Catholic content.
- PreK–5th Grade Family Faith Formation (twice a month, Sun 9:00–10:30 am, St. Anne School)
- Jr. High Youth (grades 6–8)
- Sr. High Youth (grades 9–12)
- Vacation Bible School
- OCIA / 'Become Catholic'
- Adult Confirmation
- Adult Faith Formation — Great Adventure Bible Study and other video studies
- Pflaum Gospel Weekly catechetical material
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist / Confirmation prep
- FORMED online access
Shrine of St. Anne Catholic School (K–8)
The Shrine of St. Anne Catholic School is a K-8 parish school located in the heart of Olde Town Arvada, serving as a 'close-knit community of families and students that support a nurturing community, reinforced family environment, rigorous academic curriculum and Catholic faith formation.' The school opened on September 5, 1961 with 108 students in 6th and 7th grades, was the 55th school in the Archdiocese, and charged $55 per family in its first year. Curriculum is set by the Archdiocese of Denver Office of Catholic Schools; core subjects in K-8 are language arts, social studies, science, mathematics, and religion/theology, with 'specials' in art, physical education, music/theater, and technology. Spiritual life is woven into the school day through daily religion classes, weekly Mass, opportunities for adoration and reconciliation, the rosary, and grade-level retreats.
- Opened September 5, 1961 (6th–7th grades, 108 students)
- K–8 parish elementary school in Olde Town Arvada
- Curriculum set by Archdiocese of Denver Office of Catholic Schools
- Core subjects: language arts, social studies, science, math, religion/theology
- Specials: art, PE, music/theater, technology
- Daily religion classes and weekly Mass
- Adoration, reconciliation, rosary, and retreats as part of spiritual life
- Patron: St. Anne — 'educating the whole child spiritually, academically, physically, and socially'
Liturgical Ministries
St. Anne's welcomes parishioners into all the traditional liturgical roles that support Sunday and daily Mass. Schedules and training are coordinated through the parish office.
- Music Ministry
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMHCs)
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Sacristans
- Hospitality (Greeters)
Parish Organizations & Groups
The Shrine of St. Anne supports a wide range of lay-led groups that organize everything from parish social life to spiritual growth and fundraising. The Men's Club, Altar & Rosary Society, and Knights of Columbus are among the most established; newer or specialized groups include Catholics in Recovery, the Mad Hatters, Little Flowers Girls Club, Senior Saints, Young Adults, the Parents' Prayer Group, and the Rosary Makers.
- Men's Club (pancake breakfasts for parish causes)
- Altar & Rosary Society (women — candles, linens, vestments, Spaghetti Dinner, Mother/Daughter Breakfast, baby shower, October retreat)
- Knights of Columbus Council #16720 (chartered April 28, 2017)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- P.A.D.S. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) — Hesed House, Aurora
- Health Ministry
- Catholics in Recovery
- Funeral Reception Committee
- Little Flowers Girls Club
- Mad Hatters Group
- Rosary Makers
- Senior Saints
- Parents' Prayer Group
- Spiritual Life Committee
- Young Adults Group
- Youth Group (Jr. High & Sr. High)
- Parish Leadership Team
Social Outreach & Charity
Outreach is one of the most developed parts of parish life at St. Anne's. The Social Outreach Ministry is described as 'a ministry to live out the Gospel of Matthew 25:31-47, embracing the social justice arm of our parish,' and a Parish Ambassador works directly with the pastor and Denver Catholic Charities to coordinate social ministry, service, training, and communication. The parish runs a Sack Lunch program three times a year, an annual Christmas Giving Tree, a fall hats-and-gloves clothing drive for Samaritan House, ongoing support for the A.R.M.S. (Arvada Resource for Ministry and Service) food-pantry, and — through St. Vincent de Paul — direct person-to-person service to those in need.
- Parish Ambassador program with Denver Catholic Charities
- Sack Lunch program (3× per year)
- A.R.M.S. food-pantry support (dinner baskets, delivery)
- Christmas Giving Tree for inner-city parishes
- Clothing drive (hats and gloves for Samaritan House)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — person-to-person emergency help
- P.A.D.S. — overnight shelter at Hesed House, Aurora (3rd Saturday of the month)
- Respect Life ministry
Sacraments of the Church
The parish prepares Catholics of all ages for the seven sacraments. Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist/Confirmation through the Family Faith Formation program; adults prepare through OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, including unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and Catholics seeking Confirmation). Anointing of the Sick is offered communally on the first Saturday of every month after the 8:30 am Mass, and the parish continues its century-old tradition of bringing Communion to the homebound.
- Baptism (with 1997-built baptistry)
- First Reconciliation (Confession)
- Confirmation / First Eucharist
- Anointing of the Sick (1st Saturday after 8:30 am Mass, or by appointment)
- Matrimony (McCormick Center available for receptions)
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Sat 9:15 am, Tue 9:00 am, by appointment
- OCIA / 'Become Catholic'
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound
Visiting, Location & Accessibility
The Shrine of St. Anne is located in Olde Town Arvada, near the corner of Wadsworth Bypass and Ralston Road. From Wadsworth Bypass, go west on Ralston Road two blocks to Webster, then turn south; the church is on the corner of Webster and Grant Place. The main church entrance is on the east side of the building on Webster St. Wheelchair access is through the Parish Center entrance just to the north of the church (double blue doors); an elevator on the left of the hall leads to the church level and opens into the cry room. The parish office (south side of the church on Grant Place) is open Monday–Thursday 9 am–5 pm and Friday 9 am–12 noon, closed for lunch 12–1 pm, and closed on weekends. Sacramental emergencies are handled 24/7 via the emergency number on the parish website.
- Address: 7555 Grant Pl., Arvada, CO 80002
- Phone: 303-420-1280
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 am–5 pm, Fri 9 am–12 noon (closed for lunch 12–1 pm)
- Main church entrance on Webster St. (east side)
- Handicapped ramp and elevator via the Parish Center (north of the church)
- Parish office on Grant Pl. (south side of the church)
- Sacramental emergency number: 970-364-0170 (after office hours)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Walter A. Grace1920 – c. 1936
Founding 'Rector of the Shrine of St. Anne'; proclaimed on July 4, 1920. Oversaw the building (cost $90,000) and the difficult early years of debt, KKK tensions, and prohibition-era scandal. Added the altar railing in 1935 and the parish held its first spaghetti dinner in 1936 under his watch.
- Fr. (James) Campbellpre-1937
Worked hard to build the parish and provide for education of the children during the early 1930s.
- Fr. Ritter1937 – 1947
Took over Jan 15, 1937. Grew parish from a handful of families to 120 in year one and 166 by 1940. Began the new rectory; health failed and he was replaced in 1947.
- Fr. William J. Gallagher1947
Assigned July 3, 1947 to replace Fr. Ritter.
- Fr. Forrest H. Allen1948 – c. 1952
Assigned Jan 8, 1948. Finished and furnished the new rectory, blessed by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr in September 1948.
- Fr. Bernard M. Kelly1953 – 1958
Supervised many changes including new paint schemes; helped found the first St. Anne's Credit Union. By Dec 1958 parish had 850 families / 3,400 members.
- Fr. James W. Rasby1959 – 1967
Assigned January 1959. Initiated the school fund drive in March 1959; the school opened Sept 5, 1961. Oversaw the 1963 church expansion ($151,000) and the Mary Mapley stained-glass windows. Parish peaked at 8,860 members / 2,215 families in 1963. Farewell reception August 1967 when assigned to new St. Joan of Arc.
- Fr. Edward Thomas Maddenc. 1967 – c. 1971
Served during the period surrounding Vatican II.
- Fr. Bernard O'Connor, CMF (Claretian)1971 – 1980
First Claretian pastor; with associate 'co-pastors' Fr. John Martens, CMF and Fr. Robert Villanueva, CMF. C.O.M.B. (Committee on Ministry to the Bereaved) formed 1976; A.R.M.S. (Arvada Resource for Ministry and Service) began 1977. Claretians departed June 28, 1980.
- Fr. R. Walker Nickless1980 – 1988
Moved into the rectory June 1980. Taught religion classes every Friday; appointed organ-purchase committee in 1985 (organ installed at $15,995); began long-range school expansion planning. Announced Fr. McCormick as his successor in May 1988.
- Fr. John McCormick1988 – 2001
Pastor 1988 through the millennium. Completed 1988 school addition; began daily-Mass rosary in 1991; revitalized stewardship; new sound system; 1997 baptistry from former confessional; side altars moved to form main altar; computerized parish data; 2000 plans for Parish Center ('Creating Our Future Together').
- Fr. David Croak (later Msgr. David Croak)2001 – 2010
Church addition and new rectory completed in first year. The McCormick Center became the social heart of the parish. Chaplain for Knights of Columbus and Serra Club. In 2009 received Papal Honors from Pope Benedict XVI with title of Monsignor.
- Fr. Piotr ('Father Peter') Mozdyniewicz2010 – 2017
Polish-born priest with lengthy pastoral experience in Poland before joining the Archdiocese of Denver. Assigned as Administrator/Pastor on Msgr. Croak's retirement. Led the parish through the new Roman Missal transition. Reassigned to Holy Trinity, Westminster in 2017.
- Fr. Sean McGrath2017 – 2025
Returned to St. Anne's in June 2017 from St. Francis Cabrini. Had previously been a parochial vicar here in the 1990s under Fr. McCormick. Led the parish through the 2020 centennial and the major 2020 church renovation, including the Sept 22, 2020 Solemn Dedication of the altar with Archbishop Aquila.
- Fr. Peter Wojda2025 – present
Assigned June 2025, replacing Fr. Sean. Previously Parochial Vicar and Pastor in Grand Lake.