About St. Anthony · Sterling, Colorado
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Sterling, Colorado, serving the Catholic faithful of Sterling and a wide surrounding mission area in the northeastern plains. Originally founded as a mission in 1888, it became an independent parish in 1908 and moved into its present Romanesque Revival church on South Third Street in 1911. Today the parish is part of the Archdiocese of Denver and offers Mass in English and Spanish, faith formation for children and adults, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and a robust array of lay ministries. The current church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and remains the spiritual home of a multi-generational community that includes descendants of the Italian, Irish, and Volga-German immigrants who built it.
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Onyango Oiye, I.M.C. (Parochial Administrator, effective September 27, 2025)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
St. Anthony's is a historic, family-friendly parish with daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly Confession and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for those exploring the Catholic faith, and a vibrant school of lay ministries—Altar & Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters, Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Music Ministry, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, Ushers, and Associates of St. Francis—that make it easy for newcomers to find a place to serve. The 1911 Romanesque Revival church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits at the heart of Sterling and continues to be the spiritual home of multi-generational families descended from the Italian, Irish, and Volga-German pioneers who built it.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:00 a.m.
- 30 minutes before each scheduled Mass
- By appointment (call 970-522-6422)
Adoration times
- First Friday of every month
- Other times as posted on the parish website (homepage currently lists 'No Adoration Times Currently' outside of First Friday)
Parish History
Catholic life in Sterling began in May 1888 when Father William Howlett celebrated Mass in the home of Patrick Fleming. A first church, St. John the Baptist, was dedicated on Walnut Street on June 24, 1888, and was destroyed by a high wind in 1896. A brick church on North 5th and Chestnut was purchased in 1902, and on September 1, 1908 Bishop Nicholas Matz elevated the mission to an independent parish, appointing Father P. U. Sasse as the first resident pastor. Construction of the present Romanesque Revival church began on April 2, 1911, and it was dedicated on November 5, 1911, in honor of the patron saint of Anthony Giacomini, one of Sterling's earliest Italian Catholic settlers.
- First Mass in Sterling: May 1888, in the home of Patrick Fleming
- St. John the Baptist Church dedicated June 24, 1888; destroyed by a windstorm in 1896
- Parish elevated to independent status on September 1, 1908 by Bishop Nicholas Matz
- Father P. U. Sasse appointed first resident pastor on September 1, 1908
- Current church at South 3rd and Cedar: groundbreaking April 2, 1911; dedicated November 5, 1911
- Rectory completed 1914; St. Anthony School opened September 1918 with 150 students
- School consolidated 'Russian' and 'Yankee' school programs in 1940
- New grade school and gymnasium added in 1950; 7th–12th grades closed in 1970
- Sanctuary remodeled in 1973 and again in 2012; full church remodel completed in 2016 under Father Michael Bodzioch
- Parish celebrated 100th anniversary of church and 75th anniversary of school in 2008
- St. Anthony School closed in 2015 after 97 years; former school is now the Parish Center
The Church Building and Architecture
The present St. Anthony's Church is a Romanesque Revival building designed in 1910 by John P. Eisentraut's Black Hills Company of Deadwood, South Dakota, and built by Sterling contractor Neal Hogg. It is laid out on a cruciform plan in red brick on a stone foundation, with uneven towers, dominant round arches, a rose window above the main entrance, and original leaded stained glass throughout. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 3, 1982 (NRHP #82002306) for its architectural significance.
- Architectural style: Romanesque Revival
- Designer: John P. Eisentraut's Black Hills Company (Deadwood, SD), 1910
- Builder: Neal Hogg of Sterling
- Materials: red brick in stretcher bond on a stone foundation, with light-colored brick voussoirs
- Towers: a two-story flat-roofed tower and a three-story pyramidal-roofed tower, both with crenellations and corbels
- Interior updates: choir loft and balcony added in 1958; sanctuary remodeled and rededicated in 1973; sanctuary remodeled again in 2012; full church remodel completed in 2016
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places June 3, 1982
Clergy and Staff
St. Anthony's is currently led by Parochial Administrator Father Joseph Onyango Oiye, I.M.C., and Parochial Vicar Father Martin Frias-Guardado, both of whom also serve the parishes of Saint Catherine of Siena in Iliff and Sacred Heart in Peetz. Two permanent deacons, Deacon Ronald Michieli and Deacon Bernard Schwartze, assist with liturgy and parish life. Lay staff include the parish secretary, director of religious education, religious education assistant, business manager, and maintenance.
- Rev. Joseph Onyango Oiye, I.M.C. — Parochial Administrator (effective September 27, 2025)
- Rev. Martin Frias-Guardado — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Ronald Michieli
- Deacon Bernard Schwartze
- Juli Schneider — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Carole Quint — Religious Education Assistant ([email protected])
- Jennifer Rodine — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Dorcas Brekel — Business Manager ([email protected])
- Tom Sewald — Maintenance ([email protected])
- Parish phone: 970-522-6422
Ministries and Organizations
St. Anthony's offers a wide range of lay ministries that serve both the parish and the broader Sterling community. Liturgical ministries include Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, Lectors, Ushers, and Music Ministry. Spiritual and service organizations include the Altar & Rosary Society, Woman's Ministry, Associates of St. Francis, Catholic Daughters, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Legion of Mary, and the Bulletin Folders.
- Liturgical: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, Lectors, Ushers, Music Ministry
- Spiritual/Service: Altar & Rosary Society, Woman's Ministry, Associates of St. Francis, Catholic Daughters, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Legion of Mary
- Parish Support: Bulletin Folders
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
St. Anthony's runs the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for adults and older children (RCIC for children of catechetical age, RCIT for teens) who wish to become Catholic or complete their initiation. The process typically runs from September through April and includes instruction, small-group discussion, a retreat, and gradual formation in the Catholic faith, culminating in the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
- RCIA for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- RCIC for children of catechetical age (7+) and RCIT for teens
- Components: instruction, discussions, a retreat, and relationship with Christ
- Classes usually run September through April
- Inquiry is open even to those not yet ready to become Catholic
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for the seven Catholic sacraments and provides detailed guidance online for Baptism and Marriage. Infant Baptism requires parents and godparents to attend a Baptismal Preparation class; older children and adults enter through RCIA. Couples are asked to begin Marriage preparation at least 8–12 months in advance, including an approved Marriage Preparation course, FOCCUS inventory, Natural Family Planning training, a current baptismal certificate, and a valid Colorado marriage license.
- Baptism — infant (under 7) requires one Baptismal Preparation class for parents and godparents
- Baptism — age 7+ goes through RCIA, RCIC, or RCIT
- Godparent requirements: confirmed, at least 16 years old, living a chaste single life or in a valid Catholic marriage, actively practicing the faith
- Marriage — Archdiocese of Denver requires 8–12 months of preparation
- Marriage prep includes Marriage Preparation course, FOCCUS inventory, Natural Family Planning training
- A valid Colorado marriage license is required (valid 30 days)
- Other sacraments celebrated: Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Faith formation for children, youth, and adults is offered through the parish's Religious Education program, directed by Juli Schneider and assisted by Carole Quint. Classes and formation sessions now meet in the former St. Anthony School building, repurposed as the Parish Center after the school closed in 2015.
- Director of Religious Education: Juli Schneider
- Religious Education Assistant: Carole Quint
- Faith formation classes held in the Parish Center (the former St. Anthony School building)
- Programs for children, youth, and adults
- Adult formation connected with RCIA
St. Anthony School (1918–2015)
Saint Anthony School opened in September 1918 with 150 students in grades 1–8 and grew to include a high school, becoming a 97-year center of Catholic education in Sterling. A 7th grade was added again in 1998 and an 8th grade in 1999, and the 100th anniversary of the church and the 75th anniversary of the school were celebrated together in 2008. The school closed in 2015, and the building continues to serve the parish as the Parish Center.
- School opened September 1918 with 150 students in grades 1–8
- Old convent converted to a high school in 1921
- New grade school and gymnasium added in 1950
- 7th–12th grades closed in 1970; school continued K–6
- 7th grade added again in 1998; 8th grade added in 1999
- Anniversaries celebrated in 2008 (church centennial and school 75th)
- School closed in 2015 after 97 years
- Building now serves as the Parish Center
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Anthony's by phone, email, or in person at the church and Parish Center on South 3rd Street in Sterling. For sacramental emergencies after hours, callers are directed to dial 970-522-6422 and press 3.
- Address: 326 South 3rd Street, Sterling, CO 80751
- Parish Office Phone: (970) 522-6422
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.saintanthonyssterling.org/
- After-hours sacramental emergencies: 970-522-6422, then press 3
- Mission parishes served by the same priests: Saint Catherine of Siena, Iliff; Sacred Heart, Peetz
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William Howlett1888–
Established the first Catholic mission in Sterling; celebrated Mass in the home of Patrick Fleming.
- Father P. U. Sasse1908–1920
First resident pastor of St. Anthony Parish, appointed by Bishop Nicholas Matz on September 1, 1908; oversaw construction of the current church (1911), rectory (1914), and opening of St. Anthony School (1918).
- Father Charles H. Hagus
Listed in the parish's succession of pastors.
- Father Emile J. Verschraeghen1934–1962
Long-tenured pastor during the years the Volga-German community was at its peak.
- Father Robert L. Wedow
Listed in the parish's succession of pastors.
- Father Michael Bodzioch
Led the 2016 remodel of the church; served as pastor and also Saint Catherine (Iliff) and Sacred Heart (Peetz).
- Father Timothy Hjelstrom
Assigned as pastor of St. Anthony, Sacred Heart (Peetz), and St. Catherine of Siena (Iliff); resigned effective September 26, 2025.
- Father Joseph Onyango Oiye, I.M.C.2025–present
Appointed Parochial Administrator effective September 27, 2025.