St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a Catholic parish church located at 2650 Parish View, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. The church's architectural type is Mid-Century Modern. The current priest is Fr. Erin Kochivar.
Early History
Starting in 1907, the site served originally as a tuberculosis sanatorium, operated by the Modern Woodmen of America, until 1947 because of development of effective antibiotics and vaccines, which made the sanatorium approach of tuberculosis treatment obsolete. The property was donated to the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration by a private individual that bought the property after the sanatorium closed.
Construction
The construction of the St. Joseph Chapel (also known as the "Sisters' Chapel") was dedicated on April 23, 1963. However, in the mid 1980s, a major renovation occurred, which led to the chapel renovated, and the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration establishing three ministries which they currently continue as of 2026. The three added ministries are the nursing center, retreat center, and counseling center. A retirement trust fund was also established during the mid 1980s to care for the future needs of the sisters.The church incorporates Mid-Century Modern architectural form. The Seating arrangement inside the church uses an octagonal seating arrangement to surround the central altar. The construction of the church was funded by local parishioners. Also, the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration supported it and provided the land, and the Diocese of Colorado Springs oversaw the project.
Establishment of the Parish
Bishop Richard C. Hanifen, which is the first bishop of Colorado Springs granted the church mission status in the early 1980s after local families began attending mass in the Sisters' Chapel in 1963. In 1987, the community was officially designated as a parish. The parish renovated the church, and added a parish hall and facilities for classroom to accommodate its growing congregation after signing a 50-year lease agreement in 1989 with the Sisters allowing the parish to remain on the Mount Saint Francis grounds. 
Waldo Canyon Fire
In June 2012, the Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed hundreds of homes nearby the Mount Saint Francis campus where St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is situated. The Mount Saint Francis campus was evacuated, and firefighters and mitigation efforts prevented the fire from reaching primary structures at the campus. However, a charred field was found on the west side of the property.
Architecture
The church includes four buildings arranged around a central landscaped courtyard. The main sanctuary has a curved seating plan that surrounds a central altar. The seating plan can hold approximately 500-600 people. The interior also has stained glass windows depicting the holy Trinity, and a flowing water baptistry font at the entrance. There are several religious statues, and a bronze statue of St. Francis of Assisi outside on the grounds, which is part of the Mount Saint Francis campus. The building features a rectangular footprint.
See also
- Diocese of Colorado Springs