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Archdiocese
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Building the KingdomA brief History of Cure d’Ars Cure d’Ars Catholic Church takes its name from St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney, a selfless priest who served the small village of Ars, France, for more than 40 years. Our small, predominantly African American, multi-ethnic parish embodies the dedication and courage of Vianney, the Cure d’Ars, as the Church has overcome considerable challenges to serve the Park Hill community for fifty years. Cure d’Ars Parish was established in November of 1952 to relieve overcrowding at Blessed Sacrament, which had served Park Hill since 1912. Father William Mulchahy conducted the first mass at the Tower Theater on Kearney Street. Within one year, the new parish had enrolled more than 800 families and outgrown its home in the theater. Ground was broken at 3200 Dahlia for a church and school building on August 9, 1953. A local architect and member of Blessed Sacrament, John Connell, worked with Denver designer, William Joseph, to create the new home for Cure d’Ars. The new buildings were dedicated on June 14, 1954. Members of the parish formed the Cure d’Ars Men’s Club and the Altar and Rosary Society to serve the community, and Cure d’Ars Parish flourished.
The bricks are fallen down…By 1961 Cure d’Ars was a thriving parish community. More than 1,500 families belonged to the church, and the small school had expanded to serve grades one through eight. However, the growth was short-lived, and membership in the parish soon began to decline. Many parishioners worked for Continental Airlines and lost their jobs or were relocated when the airline moved its headquarters. Additionally, the Park Hill community suffered from “white flight” when African Americans began to move into the area. By the mid-1970s, the 200 remaining families could no longer sustain the parish facilities. Cure d’Ars sold the parish plant to Union Missionary Baptist Church on May 1, 1974 But we will build with hewn stone. -Isaiah 9:10 After the loss of the parish facilities, masses were held in the Park Hill Congregational Church. As numbers increased, the parish decided to build a new home. The new church was dedicated on December 2, 1978. Architect Paul Maybury designed beautiful stained glass windows to bathe the church in a warm glow. Seating was arranged to gather the parish community around the table of the Lord. The family of pelicans carved into the face of the table symbolizes Christ’s love. Just as the young pelican is fed by flesh of its parent, so are we nourished by the body and blood of Christ.
Sing praises to the Lord…Cure d’Ars acquired its classic Black Christ on the Cross in 1990; however, our deaconate and music ministry reflected the predominately African-American heritage of the community by the late 1970s. In 1978, the parish celebrated the ordination of the first African-American deacon in the Archdiocese of Denver, Charlie Bright. Clarence McDavid was ordained in 1979 to perform “songs of hope, freedom, faith, joy, love, and peace” to celebrated African-American culture and spread the Good News of the Catholic faith. Today, the music ministry at Cure d’Ars includes five choirs: “In Praise” – the gospel choir- “Rejoice,” “Exult,” "Blessed Be" and “Joyful Noise.” …For he has done gloriously. -Isaiah 12:5 Over the years, Cure d’Ars has been blessed with several wonderful priests, pastoral assistants, and directors of religious education. Under their guidance and in the spirit of collaboration, Cure d’Ars has become a thriving multi-ethnic community. The lay leadership, ministries, and committees of Cure d’Ars continue to grow. Our Liturgy Committee includes multiple heritages in our celebrations. Our religious education programs flourish. Our Global Outreach Ministry touches live in Africa and Mexico. Cure d’Ars seeks to be a beacon of hope a sign of the healing and reconciling presence of Christ to all. |
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