Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 1903

The historic chapel on Ruxton Avenue in Manitou Springs and a mission church of Sacred Heart Parish, is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. It is Manitou Springs' first Catholic Parish, standing rebuilt and restored after fire and age. Manitou Springs community members recall memories centered at this pretty little chapel: weddings, baptisms, children dressed in their finest to receive their First Holy Communion.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help was founded in Colorado City in 1860 to minister to the first settlers in the area. On July 30, 1882, Bishop Joseph Machebeuf dedicated a Catholic Church in Manitou Springs. The new church, built by the Gillis brothers at 218 Ruxton Ave., was dedicated on August 1, 1889, with Fr. Frederick Bender as pastor. A small rectory was built that same year. Four years later, Fr. J.B. Francolon became the pastor and built Miramont Castle. On August 3, 1903, the original church was destroyed by fire. A new structure was built and dedicated by the following October. Two years later, Fr. Michael P. Callanan added the Lourdes Grotto on the property.

In 1926, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate took charge of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, serving it as a mission from the expanded and now renamed Sacred Heart Parish in Old Colorado City. The Congregation of Holy Cross assumed pastoral leadership in 1984.

Historic Manitou Springs, Inc., is an educational non-profit based in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the foot of Pikes Peak which operates the Manitou Springs Heritage Center and was formed in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Our mission is to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the history and culture of Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.

The intent of the organization is to educate citizens and visitors in order to increase appreciation and understanding of this unique community. Before opening the Center Historic Manitou was operated by a board of three persons–Jean Garrity, Deborah Harrison, and Michelle Anthony. During the initial 10 years, we developed a track record of participating in and supporting community projects and events, such as restoration of the Eastern Gateway Arch, rehabilitation of Mansions Park, installation of over 30 Historic Interpretive Plaques throughout town, and placement of the memorial in Crystal Valley Cemetery for Emma Crawford. We have presented the “Ghost Stories of Old Manitou” haunted walking tours as part of the Annual Emma Crawford Festival (i.e., the events surrounding the Coffin Races) since its inception.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Scared Heart Colorado Springs. Accessed January 16th 2022. https://www.sacredheartcos.org/olph-info-page.html.