St. Nicholas

Parish History & Heritage

St. Nicholas traces its Catholic roots in Platteville to 1885, when missionary priests first said Mass in family homes along the South Platte River. The historian-priest Father William J. Howlett helped establish St. Nicholas of Myra Mission Church in 1889. For its first three decades it had no resident pastor and was tended from other parishes. The first resident pastor arrived in 1920, and the present Spanish-style stucco church was built in 1946 alongside the original brick chapel. The parish became a stand-alone parish in 2012, ending its long mission status under St. John the Baptist in Johnstown. A life-sized statue of St. Nicholas with children stands in a niche above the church's entry.

• Masses in family homes begin: 1885
• First brick chapel built: 1889
• First resident pastor arrives: 1920
• Current church built: 1946
• Becomes a stand-alone parish: 2012

Mission Statement

The parish's bilingual mission statement reads: 'We, the parish family of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, are called to live the Gospel through the spirit of kindness and generosity of our patron Saint. Our multicultural community values a strong commitment to life-long spiritual growth through Word and Sacraments, a devotion to nurturing the Catholic faith of the younger generations and sharing the many gifts God has given us for the benefit of others.'

Parish Staff

The parish is served by Father Juan Manuel Bonilla as Pastor and Father Angel Perez-Brown as Parochial Vicar, both appointed June 19, 2019 by the Archdiocese of Denver; they also serve St. John the Baptist Parish in Johnstown. Lay staff includes Wendy Mast (Business Manager), Liz Krueger (Co-Director of Religious Education), and Estella Robles (Spanish Coordinator and Co-Director of Religious Education). A sacramental emergency line is staffed at (970) 703-3032, and a Catholic chaplain is available at North Colorado Medical Center at (970) 405-8487.

• Pastor: Father Juan Manuel Bonilla
• Parochial Vicar: Father Angel Perez-Brown
• Business Manager: Wendy Mast
• Co-Director of Religious Education: Liz Krueger
• Spanish Coordinator, Co-DRE: Estella Robles

Religious Education & Faith Formation

St. Nicholas runs a bilingual Religious Education program with levels spanning elementary through high school, including Family Ministry tracks and sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. RCIA is also offered for adults. Registration is handled through the parish office.

• First Level
• Second Level (Reconciliation)
• Third Level (First Holy Communion and Confirmation)
• Family Ministry 2nd year — Elementary
• Family Ministry 2nd year — Middle School
• Family Ministry — High School
• Family Ministry Elementary 1st year
• Family Ministry Middle School 1st year
• R.C.I.A. and Sacramental Preparation

Parish Ministries

The parish offers a wide range of lay ministries, with opportunities for new members to sign up through a Time and Talent (Tiempo y Talento) form available at the office. Ministries cover liturgical service (altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers, ushers, music/choir), parish life and governance (Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Fundraising Committee), and facilities care (Maintenance, Landscaping). The parish also hosts the Knights of Columbus and the Altar and Rosary Society.

• Knights of Columbus
• Fundraising Committee
• Finance Council
• Pastoral Council
• Altar and Rosary Society
• Music/Choir
• Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist
• Lector
• Altar Servers
• Usher
• RE Teacher/Substitute/Aide
• Maintenance Committee
• Landscaping Committee

Parish Food Bank

St. Nicholas operates a community food bank that provides food free of charge to those in need in Platteville, Gilcrest, and the surrounding area, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, disability, political beliefs, or marital/family status. The food bank is a partner agency with Weld Food Bank and limits participation to four times in six months per family. Hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.

• Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:00–3:00 pm
• Serves Platteville, Gilcrest, and surrounding area
• Partner agency with Weld Food Bank
• Accepts canned food, boxed meals, snacks, refrigerated/frozen items, non-food items, and cash or checks

Patron Saint — St. Nicholas of Myra

St. Nicholas was a 4th-century Greek bishop of Myra, in ancient Lycia (modern-day Turkey), widely venerated for his generosity and known as a patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants. The parish takes its identity and mission statement from the spirit of kindness and generosity attributed to him, with a life-sized statue of St. Nicholas with children featured above the church's entrance.

• Feast day: December 6
• Patronage: children, sailors, merchants, and generosity

Visiting & Contact

St. Nicholas Catholic Church is located at 514 Marion Avenue, Platteville, Colorado 80651, with a mailing address of PO Box 576, Platteville, CO 80651. The parish office is open Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. The main office line is (970) 785-2143, with a sacramental emergency number at (970) 703-3032.

• Address: 514 Marion Ave., Platteville, CO 80651
• Mailing: PO Box 576, Platteville, CO 80651
• Office: (970) 785-2143
• Sacramental Emergency: (970) 703-3032
• Catholic Chaplain @ North CO Medical Center: (970) 405-8487