About St. William · Fort Lupton, Colorado
St. William Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish located at 1025 Fulton Avenue in Fort Lupton, Colorado, part of the Archdiocese of Denver. The parish serves the agricultural communities of Fort Lupton and surrounding Weld County, including a mission chapel, Our Lady of Grace, in nearby Wattenberg. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with weekly Masses in each language as well as bilingual daily Masses. The parish describes its vision as becoming 'a United Church' where 'there is space for everybody wherever you find yourself on your path of life,' and it ministers to a multi-generational, largely Hispanic Catholic community in a historically rural stretch of northern Colorado.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- St. William of Vercelli (William of Montevergine), Italian hermit, founder of the Congregation of Montevergine (c. 1085–1142)
- Rector
- Fr. Grzegorz Wojcik
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Denver)
Why belong here
St. William is one of the few parishes in northern Weld County where Catholics can regularly worship fully in both English and Spanish, with side-by-side Sunday Masses in each language plus bilingual daily Masses Monday through Friday. A mission chapel, Our Lady of Grace, extends the parish's reach into the Wattenberg farming community with its own Sunday Mass, and a semi-perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel (Emmaus Chapel, open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) gives parishioners a steady rhythm of prayer. The parish offers the full sacramental life — baptisms, quinceañeras, marriage, the Anointing of the Sick — along with religious formation for children and adults (including RCIA / OICA), a Knights of Columbus council (#4732), youth ministry, music ministry, and a Respect Life apostolate. For anyone looking for a parish rooted in Catholic tradition but reaching across language and generation in a tight-knit Colorado community, St. William is an intentional fit.
Mass times at St. William
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM at St. William (Fort Lupton)
- Seasonal Penance Services during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- Semi-Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Emmaus Chapel: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
About St. William Catholic Church
St. William Catholic Church is a bilingual parish of the Archdiocese of Denver, located at 1025 Fulton Avenue in Fort Lupton, Colorado, with a second worship site — the mission of Our Lady of Grace — in nearby Wattenberg. The parish's stated vision is to 'become a United Church' where 'there is space for everybody wherever you find yourself on your path of life,' living out the charity of Christ together as disciples. Masses are celebrated in English and Spanish, with many sacraments and devotions available in both languages.
- Vision: To Become a United Church — space for everyone on their journey toward Christ
- Pastor: Fr. Grzegorz Wojcik
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Jessfyr Picado Funte
- Two worship sites: St. William (Fort Lupton) and Our Lady of Grace (Wattenberg)
Parish History
St. William's Catholic community in Fort Lupton dates back to 1909 according to the church-history database GCatholic, and the parish was formally incorporated as a civil entity in 1946. After decades in earlier facilities, the parish built its present contemporary worship space in 2001 — a 450-seat, 10,500-square-foot church completed at a cost of about $1.3 million. The new building reused the historic stained-glass windows salvaged from Denver's St. Leo's parish, which was demolished in 1961 for the Auraria Higher Education Center.
- 1909 — Catholic mission/parish established in Fort Lupton
- 1946 — Parish formally incorporated
- 1961 — St. Leo's Denver (source of today's stained glass) demolished for Auraria Higher Education Center
- 2001 — Current contemporary church building completed
- Today — Operates Our Lady of Grace mission in Wattenberg and the 'Our Eternal Home' cemetery property
Patron Saint — St. William of Vercelli
The parish's patron is St. William of Vercelli (c. 1085–1142), an Italian hermit and founder of the Congregation of Montevergine. Orphaned in childhood, he lived as a pilgrim and hermit across Italy, gathering disciples around him and eventually founding the famous abbey of Montevergine in Irpinia, southern Italy. He died on 25 June 1142 at the monastery of Goleto; in 1942 Pope Pius XII named him principal patron of Irpinia.
- Born c. 1085 in Vercelli, Italy
- Founded the Congregation and Abbey of Montevergine
- Feast day: June 25
- Patron of Irpinia
Architecture & Buildings
The current St. William church was designed by James Paull (then of SlaterPaull Architects) as a contemporary, welcoming worship space with about 450 seats and 10,500 square feet of floor area; the project was completed in November 2001 at a final cost of approximately $1.3 million against a $1.5 million budget. Its defining architectural feature is the re-installed stained glass, salvaged from the 1961 demolition of St. Leo's Church in Denver. The parish also operates the Emmaus Chapel (the site of weekly Eucharistic Adoration) and the 'Our Eternal Home' cemetery/columbarium property.
- Style: Contemporary
- Capacity: 450 seats
- Size: 10,500 sq. ft.
- Stained glass from St. Leo's, Denver (demolished 1961)
- Emmaus Chapel — site of Adoration
- Our Eternal Home — consecrated cemetery/columbarium
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments and provides bilingual sacramental preparation. Baptisms are scheduled on the 1st Saturday in English and the 2nd Saturday in Spanish at 9:00 AM, with a required parent-and-godparent class on the last Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in the parish hall; register at the office at least two weeks ahead. Baptisms are not held during Advent or Lent. Marriages must be arranged 8–12 months in advance. Quinceañeras are coordinated through Georgina and Benjamin (970-274-6099). Adults seeking Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation enter the parish's new-class RCIA/OICA process, which typically begins each March.
- Baptism: English 1st Sat 9 AM; Spanish 2nd Sat 9 AM; class last Thu 7 PM
- No baptisms during Advent or Lent
- Reconciliation: Sat 3:30–4:45 PM plus Advent/Lent Penance Services
- First Communion & Confirmation through Religious Formation
- Matrimony: 8–12 months preparation
- Anointing of the Sick: by appointment through parish office
- Holy Orders: vocation discernment via parish office
- Quinceañeras: contact Georgina & Benjamin, 970-274-6099
- RCIA / OICA: new class each March for adults seeking full initiation
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the parish liturgy through a range of lay ministries: the Music Ministry welcomes instrumental and vocal talent; Lectors proclaim the Word at Mass; Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Body and Blood at daily Masses, funerals and other liturgies; Altar Servers (eligible boys and girls) assist at the altar; and Ushers and Greeters provide a welcoming presence before, during and after Mass.
- Music Ministry
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers (boys and girls eligible)
- Ushers & Greeters
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Religious Formation for children is staffed by Cassandra Rocha, Bonita Welsh and Julio Herrera, and prepares students for First Communion and Confirmation. Youth Ministry reaches the parish's middle-school and high-school young adults and organizes the parish's annual Young Adult Mass and Graduation Mass, both listed on the parish calendar.
- Religious Formation for children (First Communion & Confirmation prep)
- Youth Ministry (Young Adult Mass; Graduation Mass)
- RCIA / OICA for adult sacramental preparation (new class each March)
Knights of Columbus Council #4732
St. William's parish hosts Knights of Columbus Council #4732, a fraternal Catholic service organization. The current Grand Knight is Mark Grajeda (303-710-0157). The council supports parish life and broader parish, community and charity works.
- Council #4732
- Grand Knight: Mark Grajeda, 303-710-0157
Respect Life Apostolate
The parish runs a Respect Life ministry that connects parishioners with national pro-life resources such as Heartbeat International (a network of crisis pregnancy centers, adoption agencies and maternity homes) and Life News, which curates news and articles about beginning-of-life and end-of-life issues.
- Heartbeat International
- Life News
Our Eternal Home — Parish Cemetery
The 'Our Eternal Home' property is the parish's consecrated cemetery and columbarium. Father Grzegorz Wojcik has personally written to parishioners about reserving grave sites and about the consecration of the cemetery. The page is hosted on the parish website under saintwilliamchurch.org/our-eternal-home.
- On-site consecrated cemetery and columbarium
- Inquiries handled by the parish office
Our Lady of Grace Mission (Wattenberg)
Our Lady of Grace is St. William's mission church, located at 1956 Grace Avenue in tiny Wattenberg, Colorado (80621), just north of Fort Lupton. It hosts its own English-language Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM and is the spiritual home for the farming families of the Wattenberg area.
- Address: 1956 Grace Avenue, Wattenberg, CO 80621
- Sunday 8:00 AM — English Mass
Clergy, Staff & Ministry Leaders
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Grzegorz Wojcik and Parochial Vicar Fr. Jessfyr Picado Funte, with two permanent deacons, Dcn. Pedro (Javy) Reyes and Dcn. Modesto Garcia. Office staff include Business Manager Dick Callaway and Secretary Rachael DeHerrera. The Religious Formation team is Cassandra Rocha, Bonita Welsh and Julio Herrera; Adoration is coordinated by Kimberly; the Knights of Columbus Council #4732 is led by Grand Knight Mark Grajeda.
- Pastor: Fr. Grzegorz Wojcik ([email protected]; ext. 303)
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Jessfyr Picado Funte (ext. 302)
- Deacon: Dcn. Pedro (Javy) Reyes — 303-720-6314 / [email protected]
- Deacon: Dcn. Modesto Garcia
- Business Manager: Dick Callaway (ext. 301)
- Secretary: Rachael DeHerrera (ext. 300)
- Religious Formation: Cassandra Rocha, Bonita Welsh, Julio Herrera
- Adoration: Kimberly — 303-870-5821
- Knights of Columbus Grand Knight: Mark Grajeda — 303-710-0157
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and can be reached at 303-857-6642 (Fax 303-857-6643). After-hours sacramental emergencies go to 720-683-8970. General inquiries email [email protected]; the pastor can be reached at [email protected]. The mailing address is 1025 Fulton Avenue, Fort Lupton, CO 80621.
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Parish Office: 303-857-6642 — Fax 303-857-6643
- Sacramental Emergency (after hours): 720-683-8970
- R.E. Office: 303-857-4754
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1025 Fulton Avenue, Fort Lupton, CO 80621