About St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church · Denver, Colorado
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church is a historic Catholic parish in the Whittier neighborhood of central Denver, Colorado, situated on the western edge of City Park at the corner of East 23rd Avenue and York Street. Founded by the Jesuit Order in 1924, the parish was entrusted in 2023 to the Community of St. John (Brothers of St. John) after 99 years of Jesuit leadership. The parish combines a long history of outreach to Denver's diverse community — including a remarkable legacy of racial integration — with a renewed emphasis on beautiful liturgical worship, Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony, and traditional devotions, all centered on the Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Ignatius of Loyola
- Rector
- Fr. Francis Therese Krautter, CSJ (Community of St. John)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
St. Ignatius of Loyola is a place to encounter the Lord in the heart of Denver, where the beauty of the liturgy — including Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony, and Eucharistic Adoration — is taken seriously. The parish is rooted in the charism of the Brothers of St. John and offers daily Mass, generous confession times, a perpetual-style Holy Hour on Thursdays, and a vibrant music ministry. Beyond the sanctuary, the parish feeds the neighborhood through its St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry (open Mondays on the corner of 23rd and Gaylord), twice-monthly Sunday food drives, and a Collection for the Homeless, while forming families and adults through Family Catechesis, Youth Faith Formation, OCIA (RCIA), and retreats run by the Brothers of St. John. It is a historic, integrated, and intentionally diverse Catholic community that sees 'the primacy of adoring God' and knowing the neighbors as its twin mission.
Mass times at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 11:15 – 11:45 A.M. (prior to Noon Mass)
- Thursday Evenings: 6:00 – 7:00 P.M. (Holy Hour)
- Saturday: 4:15 – 4:45 P.M. (prior to 5:00 P.M. Mass)
- By appointment: call the parish office at 303-322-8042
Adoration times
- Monday – Wednesday, Friday: 5:00 – 6:00 P.M.
- Thursday: 6:00 – 7:00 P.M. (Holy Hour)
Our Story: A Century of Faith in Central Denver
St. Ignatius of Loyola was born from Denver's first Jesuit parish, Sacred Heart, founded in 1879 on Larimer Street. When Sacred Heart and its overflow chapel (Loyola Chapel, 1909) could no longer hold the growing congregation, Jesuit Fr. Charles McDonnell bought the York Street block in 1921 and built the present church, dedicated on Columbus Day, October 12, 1924. For 99 years the Jesuits shepherded this community; in 2023 the Community of St. John took the helm. The parish marked its 100th anniversary on October 13, 2024, with Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrating a special Centennial Mass.
- Dedicated October 12, 1924 (Columbus Day)
- Elevated to independent parish status in 1944
- Jesuit ministry from 1924 to 2023 (99 years)
- Community of St. John (Brothers of St. John) assume pastoral care, 2023
- 100th anniversary Mass celebrated October 13, 2024 by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila
Architecture & Historic Designations
Designed by the Denver firm of Mountjoy and Frewen, St. Ignatius is a Late Gothic Revival church with a truncated cruciform plan, twin 110-foot towers, five sanctuary stained-glass windows, Carrara marble, oak woodwork, and a red-tile roof. At 192 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 109 feet tall, it was the largest church in Denver when dedicated, seating 1,200. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places (since 1994) and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. Early-2000s renovations added an accessible entrance, a new altar, a new baptismal font, and three additional stained-glass windows; the choir loft is currently being restored and a new organ installed.
- Architects: Frank E. Mountjoy & Frank W. Frewen, Jr. (Mountjoy and Frewen)
- Style: Late Gothic Revival; truncated cruciform plan
- Capacity: 1,200 (largest church in Denver when built)
- NRHP #94001468 (added December 23, 1994)
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music is a hallmark of the parish under pastor Fr. Francis Therese Krautter, C.S.J., a musician, composer, and board member of Gaudium Verum. Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony are now part of the Sunday liturgy, and a chant class is offered for parishioners. The Saturday choir (co-directed by volunteer Rosa Salazar) and Sunday choir draw on a repertoire that includes Gospel and spirituals. Parishioners are invited to sing Vespers with the Brothers of St. John on Thursday evenings. The current restoration of the choir loft and installation of a new organ are designed to restore the building's historic capacity for sacred music.
- Saturday choir (co-director: Rosa Salazar)
- Sunday choir with Gospel/spirituals in the repertoire
- Gregorian chant class for parishioners
- Weekly Thursday Vespers with the Brothers of St. John
- Choir loft restoration & new organ installation in progress
Brothers of St. John & Parish Mission
Since 2023 the parish has been guided by the charism of the Brothers of St. John (Community of St. John), a religious community devoted to constant prayer, communal life, and apostolic ministry. Their Denver apostolates focus on retreats, families, leadership, and young people, and they assist the parish with marriage preparation, home visits, and ongoing faith formation. The mission of the parish is to cultivate a vibrant community grounded in deep prayer and authentic worship, and to embody the love of Christ in every aspect of ministry — what Father Krautter has called 'the primacy of adoring God' combined with serving the neighbors.
- Marriage preparation for engaged couples
- Home visits offering spiritual guidance and friendship
- Retreats for parish families and groups
- Leadership formation for young people
- Apostolate of constant prayer and community life
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Ignatius flows through three main programs. Family Catechesis recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children in the faith, with all families meeting together one Sunday a month and sacramental families meeting one additional Sunday a month. Youth Faith Formation follows the Archdiocese of Denver's Restored Order, in which children are prepared for 1st Reconciliation in 2nd grade and for Confirmation and 1st Holy Communion together in 3rd grade. Adults seeking to become Catholic are welcomed through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), coordinated by Margaret Wright, with weekly formation for candidates through Corda at the Cathedral.
- Family Catechesis — begins September 21; families $60 / individuals $45
- Youth Faith Formation (RE) — 2-yr Restored Order program
- OCIA / RCIA — Coordinator: Margaret Wright (720-863-8429)
- Children's Church on Sunday mornings
The Sacraments
St. Ignatius prepares and celebrates the seven sacraments with careful catechesis. Baptisms are scheduled with the parish office; Baptism and Birth Certificates are required for religious education registration. The Restored Order, instituted by Archbishop Samuel Aquila, gathers the sacraments of initiation: 2nd graders prepare for 1st Reconciliation, and 3rd graders prepare for Confirmation and 1st Holy Communion together. The Brothers of St. John assist with Marriage preparation, and home visits are offered for ongoing spiritual support. Anointing of the Sick and other sacraments are available by contacting the parish office.
- Baptism (infant and adult via OCIA)
- First Reconciliation (2nd grade, Restored Order)
- First Holy Communion (3rd grade, Restored Order)
- Confirmation (3rd grade, Restored Order)
- Matrimony — marriage preparation with the Brothers of St. John
Outreach: SVdP, Food Pantry & Service to the Neighborhood
The parish serves the Whittier and City Park neighborhoods through its St. Vincent de Paul Society and a Food Pantry located at the corner of 23rd and Gaylord (open Mondays 10:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. and by appointment; SVdP hotline 303-955-2578). Twice-monthly Sunday Food Drives restock the pantry, and there is a separate Collection for the Homeless for items needed by those who are sheltered or unhoused. Father Krautter has urged the parish to know the surrounding schools, hospitals, and neighbors, asking 'Who are the people near to us?' as the starting point of service.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — SVdP Hotline 303-955-2578
- Food Pantry — Mon 10 A.M.–12 P.M. & by appointment (corner 23rd & Gaylord)
- Sunday Food Drives (twice monthly)
- Collection for the Homeless
Our Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by clergy of the Community of St. John and a small lay staff. Father Francis Therese Krautter, C.S.J. is pastor; Father John Therese Creus, C.S.J. is parochial vicar; and Brother Gabriel Maria Martin, C.S.J. coordinates liturgy. The lay team includes Office Manager Chloe Kersey, Music and Administrative Coordinator Christina Heppermann, Business Manager Patty Klopfenstein, and RCIA Coordinator Margaret Wright. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and can be reached at 303-322-8042.
- Fr. Francis Therese Krautter, CSJ — Pastor (303-335-9255)
- Fr. John Therese Creus, CSJ — Parochial Vicar (303-335-9255)
- Br. Gabriel Maria Martin, CSJ — Liturgy
- Chloe Kersey — Office Manager (303-322-8042 x101)
- Christina Heppermann — Music & Administrative (303-322-8042)
- Patty Klopfenstein — Business Manager (303-630-9480 x105)
- Margaret Wright — RCIA Coordinator (720-863-8429)
A Legacy of Integration & the Whittier Neighborhood
After World War II, as African Americans moved into the neighborhood just west of the church, Jesuit pastor Fr. William Markoe insisted that Black Catholics not be segregated and should be welcome at St. Ignatius and its school. Fr. Edward Murphy, S.J. continued that work from 1950 to 1970, earning national awards for race-relations work and famously pastoring heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston. Over time the parish became predominantly African American, and today the Whittier neighborhood identifies as roughly 53% white, 25% Black/African American, 16% other races, and 5% mixed race. The parish is today an intentionally diverse community with both longstanding African-American families and a wave of newer arrivals drawn by the reverent liturgy and the Brothers of St. John.
- Fr. William Markoe, S.J. — defied superiors to integrate parish and school
- Fr. Edward Murphy, S.J. (1950–1970) — George Washington Carver Memorial Institute Reward of Merit (1965); National Negro Voters Educational Council 'Man of the Year'
- Fr. Murphy pastored boxing champion Sonny Liston during his Denver years
- Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary active in the parish
The Parish School: From 1938 to Today
The Great Depression delayed a parish school for more than a decade. In 1938 the church basement was divided into classrooms and an elementary school was begun, staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. A brick school building was completed in two stages in 1950 and 1954. After 73 years of parish operation, the school closed in June 2011. The former school building is now leased to the French American School of Denver, a tuition-free public charter school — continuing the parish's long tradition of educating children of the neighborhood.
- School began 1938 in church basement classrooms
- Brick school built 1950 & 1954; staffed by Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati
- Closed June 2011 after 73 years
- Building now leased to the French American School of Denver
Centennial Year & Feast Day
St. Ignatius marked its 100th anniversary on October 13, 2024, with a Centennial Mass celebrated by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and concelebrated by current pastor Fr. Francis Therese Krautter, C.S.J. and former Jesuit pastor Fr. Thomas Cwik, S.J., followed by a parish reception. The centennial year included a mini-pilgrimage tracing the parish's history, church tours, a Spirituals Project concert, a sing-along, the patron's feast day, and solemn Vespers. The parish continues to mark the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola on July 31 each year with a Rosary Walk, Holy Hour, Solemn Vespers, and the occasional Mass of Solemn Profession for the Brothers of St. John.
- Centennial Mass — October 13, 2024, 10:00 A.M., Archbishop Aquila
- Centennial pilgrimage, tours, Spirituals Project concert, sing-along
- Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola — July 31
- Commemorative t-shirts and RSVP at stignatiusdenver.org/RSVP
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles McDonnell, S.J.early 1920s
Jesuit pastor of Sacred Heart who bought the York St. & 23rd Ave. block in 1921 and began building the new church dedicated in 1924.
- Fr. William Markoe, S.J.around WWII era
Pushed for integration of the parish and school with the surrounding African-American community despite opposition from his superiors.
- Fr. Edward Murphy, S.J.1950–1970
Continued Markoe's integration work; received the Reward of Merit from the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute and 'Man of the Year' from the National Negro Voters Educational Council in 1965.
- Fr. Thomas Cwik, S.J.2011–2017
Jesuit pastor; concelebrated the centennial Mass in 2024. Previously served the parish through the 2011 school closure.
- Fr. Dirk Dunfee, S.J.around 2021
Jesuit pastor referenced in Denver Catholic coverage of the parish in 2021.
- Fr. Francis Therese Krautter, CSJ2023–present
First pastor from the Community of St. John after the Jesuits withdrew in 2023; musician and board member of Gaudium Verum; introduced Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony.