About St. Francis de Sales · Denver, Colorado
St. Francis de Sales is a Catholic parish in the Platt Park / South Broadway neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, belonging to the Archdiocese of Denver. The parish was established in 1892, and its current church building — a single-towered neo-Gothic structure — has stood at 300 S. Sherman Street since 1911. Worship is offered in the Roman (Latin) Rite, with the parish currently led by Rev. Francesco Basso, who was appointed pastor in April 2021. The community is known for its stained-glass windows by the Munich firm F.X. Zettler (the same firm that glazed the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) and for ministries ranging from choirs and lectors to a Crafting Club that knits blankets for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales (Doctor of Charity of the Catholic Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Francesco Basso
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales welcomes Catholics and seekers into a parish that has served south-central Denver for more than 130 years, anchored by a 1911 neo-Gothic church and a strong sacramental life. The community is grounded in the four-fold purpose of evangelization, discipleship, service, and baptism, lived out through ministries like the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Homebound Outreach, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Choir, and the Crafting Club. Daily and weekend Masses, regular Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, and a daily Rosary give parishioners many ways to grow in prayer together.
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 p.m.
- After daily Mass (around 12:45 p.m.)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- After Friday morning Mass
Parish History & Heritage
St. Francis de Sales was established in 1892 as one of the parishes created by Bishop Nicholas Chrysostom Matz to keep pace with Denver's growth. A small wood-frame church originally served the community before the present single-towered, neo-Gothic church was completed in 1911, designed by Denver architect L.A. Desjardins and shepherded by Rev. John J. Donnelly, who would go on to serve as pastor for 37 years. The parish has continued to evolve while keeping its 1911 building — and its devotional life — at the center of community life. Today the parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Denver and is led by its current pastor, Rev. Francesco Basso.
- Founded 1892
- Current church built 1911
- Architect: L.A. Desjardins
- Long-serving pastor: Msgr. John J. Donnelly (1903–1940)
- Part of the Archdiocese of Denver
Architecture & Stained Glass
The St. Francis de Sales church is a single-towered neo-Gothic structure that has been a south-Denver landmark for more than a century. Its most celebrated feature is a set of more than 25 stained-glass windows designed by the Munich firm F.X. Zettler — the same firm responsible for the windows of Denver's Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Five windows line each side of the nave, five more circle the apse, and a large rose window of the Nativity scene adorns the western façade. Particular highlights include the window of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque's vision of the Sacred Heart and the window of the Holy Family in the workshop at Nazareth.
- Neo-Gothic style, 1911
- Stained glass by F.X. Zettler of Munich
- Nativity rose window on the west façade
- Memorial windows for pastors Morrin and Donnelly
Our Mission & Four Parish Purposes
St. Francis de Sales describes its life through four parish purposes. First, the parish is committed to evangelization — sharing the Good News wherever its members go. Second, it aims to make disciples, deepening the community's knowledge, understanding and love of Jesus. Third, it reaches out in service, particularly to those with physical and spiritual needs. Fourth, it celebrates Baptism, the doorway into the Body of Christ. The parish sees itself as being on a continuing journey of faith, and its '100 years plus' are described on the parish website as a testament to its commitment to being church and to evolving in faith-life.
- Evangelization
- Make disciples (formation, Scripture study)
- Love our neighbor (service)
- Baptize and welcome new members
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Rev. Francesco Basso as pastor. He was appointed by the Archdiocese of Denver effective April 12, 2021. He is assisted by Rev. William Jungmann, a retired priest in residence. Parishioners can reach the parish office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at 303-744-7211.
- Rev. Francesco Basso — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. William Jungmann — Priest in Residence, retired ([email protected])
Ministries & Parish Life
The parish organizes its ministries around three calls: serving neighbors, deepening faith, and using God-given talents. The St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Crafting Club reach out to those in need, including the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where parishioners send hand-crocheted and knitted blankets. Faith-formation ministries include the Rediscover Jesus Discussion Group and an Online Scripture Study that has worked through works such as 'Rediscovering Jesus' and 'The Gospel of Mark.' Talent-based ministries include the St. Francis de Sales Choir, Cantor Ministry, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, and the Coffee/Donuts/Pancake Fellowship.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Crafting Club (Thursdays 10:00 a.m. at the Parish Office)
- Rediscover Jesus Discussion Group
- Online Scripture Study
- St. Francis de Sales Choir
- Cantor Ministry
- Lector Ministry
- Eucharistic Ministry
- Altar Servers
- Coffee/Donuts/Pancake Fellowship
Homebound Outreach
The Homebound Ministry serves parishioners who, because of physical limitations, are unable to attend Mass regularly — some of whom cannot leave home at all. Volunteers visit to bring Holy Communion, encouragement, and companionship, addressing the isolation that often comes with limited mobility. The parish describes this work as a great privilege and invites parishioners to prayerfully consider serving. Those interested can call 303-744-7211 for more information.
- Visits to homebound parishioners
- Distribution of Holy Communion
- Companionship ministry
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments in keeping with the norms of the Archdiocese of Denver. Baptisms are typically celebrated during Mass as a sign of the community's welcome of new members. Following the Archdiocese of Denver's Restored Order, First Reconciliation is prepared in second grade, and Confirmation and First Communion are received together in third grade, after two years of preparation. Older children and adults are prepared through the Rites of Christian Initiation. The Anointing of the Sick is available on request, and arrangements for Marriage are made through the parish office.
- Baptism celebrated during liturgy
- First Reconciliation (2nd grade preparation)
- Confirmation and First Communion (3rd grade, Restored Order)
- Anointing of the Sick on request
- Marriage by arrangement
St. Francis de Sales Catholic STEM School
For many decades the parish operated St. Francis de Sales Catholic STEM School, a PreK–8 grade school known for integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics into a Catholic education. The school — led at one point by principal Sr. Mary Rose Lieb, O.S.F. — partnered with the University of Denver and the University of Notre Dame to train faculty and bring in speakers. Beyond the STEM pillars, students received religion, reading, writing, language arts, spelling, physical education, social studies, music, art, Spanish, and computer instruction, and could participate in archery, basketball, cross country, and volleyball.
- PreK–8 Catholic education
- STEM-integrated curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- Athletics: archery, basketball, cross country, volleyball
- Principal: Sr. Mary Rose Lieb, O.S.F.
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Francis de Sales. The parish office at 324 S. Sherman St. is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and can be reached at 303-744-7211. The church itself is at 300 S. Sherman St. in Denver's 80209 ZIP code, near Alameda Avenue and the South Broadway corridor. Anyone interested in joining a ministry is invited to fill out the interest form available on the parish website.
- Parish Office: 324 S. Sherman St.
- Church: 300 S. Sherman St.
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Phone: 303-744-7211
- Ministry interest form available on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Morrin
Third pastor of St. Francis de Sales; one of the stained-glass windows in the church is dedicated to him.
- Rev. John J. Donnelly1903–1940
Fourth pastor; shepherded the construction of the 1911 neo-Gothic church. Elevated to Monsignor in 1935. A stained-glass window in the nave is dedicated to him.
- Rev. Kenneth J. Liuzzi
Pastor prior to 2021; led a major church interior renovation and rededication of the stained glass; quoted in Denver Catholic on the parish's community identity.
- Rev. Francesco Basso2021–present
Appointed pastor of St. Francis de Sales, Denver by the Archdiocese of Denver effective April 12, 2021.