About St. Mary · Aspen, Colorado
St. Mary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 533 East Main Street in Aspen, Colorado — the tallest building on Main Street and one of the oldest continuously operating parishes in the Archdiocese of Denver. Founded during Aspen's silver-mining boom, the parish traces its roots to the very first Mass offered in the valley on July 3, 1881, celebrated by Father Harney in the Aspen Times building. Today it serves as a dynamic and welcoming community, offering weekend and weekday Masses in both English and Spanish, perpetual adoration, a robust sacramental life, family faith formation, youth and young-adult ministries, and a growing choral and liturgical program.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Boguslaw Rebacz
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
St. Mary's invites Catholics, visitors, and seekers alike into a small but dynamic mountain-town parish that has served Aspen since 1881. With frequent Masses in English and Spanish, daily Eucharistic adoration, and a robust offering of family faith formation, youth and young-adult ministries, OCIA (RCIA) classes, liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, choir), and an active calendar of retreats and parish events, parishioners of every age, vocation, and walk of life are welcomed onto a path of holiness together. As the parish puts it, 'Easy to find — we're the tallest building on Main Street and we've been here since 1882. Our hearts and our doors are open to you!'
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:30–5:15 PM
- Monday: 4:30–5:15 PM
- Sunday: 30 minutes prior to the 10:00 AM Mass
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: stand by the confessional immediately after the 8:00 AM Mass
Adoration times
- Monday: 4:30–5:30 PM
History of St. Mary Parish
Saint Mary's was founded during Aspen's earliest years, when this community was but a small mining camp carving a future out of a remote and unforgiving wilderness. The parish's history stretches back to July 3, 1881, when Father Harney celebrated the very first Mass ever offered in this valley inside the Aspen Times building, attended by a small gathering of Aspen's earliest miners and settlers. During 1881 and 1882, Fathers Harney and Father McCarthy, assigned to the Gunnison Parish, formed a building committee and raised funds for the first Catholic church in town — St. Stephen's, a small wooden-frame building on Main Street between Galena and Hunter, constructed by Father Edward Downey after he arrived on foot in 1883. The brick rectory at the corner of Main and Galena was built in 1888, and the present St. Mary church was begun in July 1891 and dedicated in March 1892. The parish endured Aspen's long 'Quiet Years' after the 1893 silver bust, surviving as a tiny congregation kept alive in part by a pew tax, and revived with the metals boom of World War I and later with the rise of Aspen's ski industry.
- First Mass in the valley: July 3, 1881 (Father Harney, in the Aspen Times building)
- First church: St. Stephen's (1883), on Main between Galena and Hunter
- Brick rectory built: 1888 (corner of Main and Galena Streets)
- Present St. Mary church: construction began July 1891, dedicated March 1892
- St. Stephen's later used as a convent and parochial school; torn down in the 1940s
Our Mission
St. Mary's mission is rooted in Jesus' words to Simon Peter in John 21: 'Feed my lambs … tend my sheep … feed my sheep.' In obedience to that command and under the direction of the Holy Spirit, St. Mary Catholic Church seeks to feed the people of Aspen and its many visitors with the food of eternal life — whether through the frequent celebration of the sacraments, catechesis, works of mercy, or simply a smile. The parish's stated purpose is to help people grow in holiness through the sacraments of the Church and their formation in Jesus Christ.
Our Staff
St. Mary's is led by its pastor and supported by a small, dedicated staff and team of ministry coordinators. The parish is currently pastored by Father Joseph (Joe) Grady, a Colorado native and former chaplain at Holy Family High School in Broomfield. Deacon Phil Harrington serves as Director of Faith Formation and Facilities Director. Jenna Martinez coordinates youth, young adult, and admin work. The music program is led by Music Director Kevin Kaukl, with Paul Kienast and Mary Woulfe also listed on the team, and Mary Woulfe serving as Business Manager.
- Deacon Phil Harrington — Director of Faith Formation / Facilities Director
- Jenna Martinez — Ministry Coordinator (Youth, Young Adult, Admin)
- Kevin Kaukl — Music Director
- Paul Kienast — staff
- Mary Woulfe — Business Manager
Parish Ministries
The various ministries at St. Mary's aspire to guide parishioners and guests along the path of holiness, while growing in fellowship with one another. Whether a young family or adult, lifelong Catholic or non-Catholic, the parish offers ministry opportunities for every age, vocation, and walk of life.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
All families are invited and encouraged to attend weekly Family Faith Formation. Classes are in session Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:45 PM, September through May. For adults considering becoming Catholic, or Catholics who have not yet been Confirmed, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation) classes begin each September — contact Father Grady.
- Family Faith Formation — Wednesdays 5:30–6:45 PM (Sept–May)
- OCIA classes begin in September (contact [email protected])
- Director of Faith Formation: Deacon Phil Harrington
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The youth are important in the life and future of the church. All middle and high schoolers are invited to grow in knowledge and love for Christ through various youth ministry activities coordinated by Jenna Martinez. Young adults (18+) and young families can join Roaring Fork Catholics Young Adults, which meets for fellowship and a community potluck — contact Jenna to get involved.
- Middle and high school youth ministry
- Roaring Fork Catholics Young Adults (ages 18+)
Liturgical Ministries
St. Mary's liturgical ministries invite parishioners to serve at the altar and in the worshipping assembly. Altar server training is held periodically for students in 3rd grade and older (servers should arrive 15 minutes before Mass in black or dark shoes, well-groomed). Lectors — ministers of the Word — and Eucharistic Ministers are also essential, with EM training usually held once each summer. The parish is also building a choral program under Music Director Kevin Kaukl.
- Altar Servers (3rd grade and older; periodic training)
- Lectors / Ministers of the Word
- Eucharistic Ministers (summer training)
- Music / Choir — contact [email protected]
Hispanic & Spanish-Speaking Adults
Reflecting Aspen's multicultural character, St. Mary's celebrates a Spanish-language Mass on the first Saturday of every month at 7:00 PM (the parish's Adult Ministries page lists 7:30 PM; visitors should confirm). Hispanic adults are welcomed into the parish's broader adult ministry programming as well.
- Spanish Mass — First Saturday of the month (Primer Sábado del Mes en Español), 7:00 PM
Sacraments
The seven sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick — are the life of the Catholic Church. Each sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace. Parents preparing for the Baptism of an infant or young child speak with the pastor after Mass and complete preparation with Deacon Phil Harrington; older children enroll in the parish religious education program in the Fall in preparation for the three sacraments of initiation; adults participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), typically a Fall-to-Spring curriculum.
- Baptism (infant/child prep via Deacon Phil; RCIA for adults)
- Confirmation
- Holy Communion (Eucharist)
- Reconciliation (Confession — multiple weekly times listed above)
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
Contact & Visit
St. Mary Catholic Church is located at 533 East Main Street, Aspen, Colorado 81611 — the tallest building on Main Street. Phone: (970) 925-7339. General email: [email protected]. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM (with staff often available Monday through Thursday after 10:00 AM; office closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). The parish asks visitors to introduce themselves to Father Joe Grady after Mass.
- Address: 533 E Main St., Aspen, CO 81611
- Phone: (970) 925-7339
- Office Hours: Tue–Fri, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM (closed Fri/Sat/Sun)
- Tallest building on Main Street, Aspen
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Harney1881
First Catholic priest to serve the Aspen mission; celebrated the first Mass in the valley on July 3, 1881 in the Aspen Times building.
- Father McCarthy1881–1882
Mission priest assigned to Gunnison Parish (which included Aspen); organized the first building committee.
- Father Edward Downey1883–early 1890s
Crossed the mountains on foot to Aspen in June 1883; built St. Stephen's Church (1883) and the brick rectory at Main & Galena (1888); rode with troops in the 1885 White River Ute troubles; began planning the present St. Mary church.
- Father J.B. Pitavalfrom early summer 1890
Arrived as Father Downey's assistant, freeing Downey to plan the larger church that would become today's St. Mary.
- Father Darrick Leierthrough June 2023
Pastor whose assignment was originally scheduled to conclude in 2025; announced in 2023 he would depart two years early to be with his aging father; final Sunday Mass was June 25, 2023.
- Father Joseph (Joe) Gradyfrom late June 2023
Appointed pastor in 2023 at age 35; previously chaplain and theology teacher at Holy Family High School in Broomfield, and associate priest at St. John XXIII University Parish in Fort Collins.