About St. Mary of the Assumption · Central City, Colorado
St. Mary of the Assumption is a Roman Catholic mission church in Central City, Colorado, founded in 1861 — one of the oldest Catholic gathering places in Colorado. It is part of the Archdiocese of Denver and is grouped together with St. Paul (Idaho Springs) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Georgetown) as the Tri-Parish community known as 'God Rush Catholic.' The historic church sits on Pine Street in Central City, a former gold-mining town, and the current brick edifice was completed in 1892 after an earlier 'A'-frame church served the parish from 1862. It is currently served by Fr. John Green and offers Mass on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Established
- 1861
- Patron
- Mary, Mother of God (under the title of the Assumption)
- Rector
- Fr. John Green
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Assumption welcomes visitors and parishioners to one of the oldest Catholic sites in Colorado — a small mountain-town mission with deep 19th-century roots and an active 21st-century parish life. As part of the 'God Rush Catholic' tri-parish, it shares pastoral resources with Idaho Springs and Georgetown, giving worshippers a wider community of fellow mountain Catholics. Confessions are available before Mass or by appointment, and the historic Pine Street church remains a living place of worship for locals and visitors alike.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before Mass or by appointment
About St. Mary of the Assumption
St. Mary of the Assumption is a Roman Catholic mission church located at 135 Pine Street in Central City, Colorado, and is one of the oldest Catholic gathering places in the state. It is classified as a mission within the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Denver and is grouped together with two neighboring mountain parishes as the 'God Rush Catholic' tri-parish community.
- Founded: 1861
- Type: Mission (Roman Rite)
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver
- Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m.
History of the Parish
The parish traces its origins to 1860, when Bishop Machebeuf celebrated Mass in the Central City mining region. An 'A' frame church was built on the present site in 1862. The cornerstone for a permanent church was set in 1872, and in 1882 one of the finest church bells in the West was consecrated at the parish. The current edifice was completed in 1892 and dedicated as St. Mary of the Assumption.
- 1860: Bishop Machebeuf celebrates Mass in the mining region
- 1862: 'A' frame church built on site
- 1872: Cornerstone set for permanent church
- 1882: Fine church bell consecrated
- 1892: Current edifice completed and dedicated
God Rush Catholic Tri-Parish
St. Mary of the Assumption shares its pastor and pastoral resources with two neighboring Clear Creek/Gilpin County missions. Together the three parishes are branded as 'God Rush Catholic,' a play on the region's gold-rush heritage.
- St. Mary of the Assumption — Central City
- St. Paul — Idaho Springs
- Our Lady of Lourdes — Georgetown
Pastor & Staff
The tri-parish community is served by Fr. John Green, who was ordained on May 15, 2010 and became pastor of the tri-parish in 2022. The rectory phone number (303) 567-4662 connects callers to the tri-parish office.
- Fr. John Green — Pastor (2022–present), ordained 5/15/2010
Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Mary of the Assumption and the wider God Rush Catholic tri-parish through the shared office in Idaho Springs, by phone, or by email.
- Address: 135 Pine Street, Central City, CO 80427
- Phone: (303) 567-4662
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.godrushcatholic.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Green2022–present
Current pastor of the God Rush Catholic tri-parish. Ordained May 15, 2010.