Fishing for Castle Rock History

Have any of you have had a chance to pass by the new St. Francis of Assisi Church just off of Highway 86 in Castle Rock?  You can’t miss it, as it sits proudly on one of the most magnificent pieces of real estate overlooking the Douglas County Valley.  The splendor of this church to any onlooker represents not only beauty in progress, but the results of a community with vision. 

And what a vision it is.  The church is the centerpiece of a $6 million complex that also included the renovation of the old church into a parish hall — which hosted its first event with a celebratory dinner prior to the dedication Mass in October of 2011.  I know it’s not exactly “new” any longer, but each time I drive by, it takes my breath away. 

The original parish was founded in 1888, and the parishioners at that time took up a collection and raised about $1,000 to begin building a new church.  Thanks to this effort, the parish left behind a small stone church on the plaza in downtown Castle Rock, which now hosts one of our finest restaurants.

In 1966, the parish, along with many of the Knights of Columbus, chose to move again and build a new church to allow for the expansion of Castle Rock, and the growth of the parish.  Many of them gave of their time and talent to help build the church on its current sight.

In 2011, the community and Knights of Columbus came together again with an architect and a builder who created the beautiful church we see today.  Behind the large San Damiano cross hanging over the altar were huge honey onyx window panes, flanked by larger mountain-themed mosaics with Colorado limestone.  Off to the sides, the clear glass allows one a majestic view of the Front Range mountains.  The predominantly wood structure gives the church a distinctly Colorado mountain feel, as if one is coming home to a warm cabin from the winter cold.

Chris Scurto, president of the parish finance council, said it best, “There’s nothing the community left out. They gave their all,” he said. “During this time, we saw 9/11 happen, we had two terrible recessions, war broke out, unemployment skyrocketed . . . and look at what we still did.”

I’d like to invite you to come and see this gorgeous addition to the Castle Rock community of churches by attending the following event.  The Knights of Columbus will be holding a Lenten Fish Fry every Friday from March 7 to April 11^th, 2014.

This week’s “famous fish fry” will take place on Friday, March 21^st from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church located at 2746 Fifth St. in Castle Rock.  The cost will vary according to the meal ordered.  For further information, please contact the Coordinator at 303-953-2686.