History of Pastors Serving
 Our Lady of the Assumption Parish

The following list of pastors and photographs were compiled from several resources: notes taken by Fr. Louis Kirby from the archival chronicles of the Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City, Colorado, and research by Ed Stewart and Sam Proctor of the OLA parish records and miscellaneous historical references. There is some confusion of dates and references of assignments especially during the 1940s to early 1960s that Fr. Louis was unable to clarify. Many of the notations in the Abby's chronicles are no more than stating that a particular priest went to Westcliffe that day. A cross search of the parish’s record books indicates that the parish was served by a variety of priests from the Holy Cross Abbey from 1929 to 1965, several of which were apparently assigned more than once over this period. It appears that the role of pastor was informally assigned by the abbey abbot on a as needed basis. The phrase “briefly” is used in the Notes below to indicate that only two or three references were found that covered a period as short as one to three months.
    If you have additional information or corrections, please contact Ed Stewart at the email address on the homepage.
 

Under some of the following historical photos are miscellaneous "facts" about the pastor
and events that took place during their tenture.

Robert Servant was born in Lamothe, Haute Lorre, France in 1851, where he attended primary schools and a Christian Brothers’ school. In 1870-71, Robert fought for his country in the Franco-Prussian war. He returned to the Academy at the end of the war to finish his studies, and in 1873 graduated from the seminary at Nevers, France and was ordained to the Sub Deaconship.

Robert later became the Auxiliary Professor at the Jesuit College at Mongre, near Lyons. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Machebeuf, pioneer Catholic Bishop of Colorado, had visited the college and persuaded Robert to become a missionary priest. In June of 1881 he and the Bishop sailed for America. Robert was initially sent to St. Mary’s Church in Baltimore, then in December of that year on to Denver, Colorado where he was ordained to the priesthood. Fr. Robert Servant was given six counties for his mission territory, using Gunnison as his headquarters until 1884. Later his territory was enlarged and he was transferred to Rio Blanco County. Fr. Servant visited many Indian camps and had much to do with maintaining peace between the Indians and the white men. Those were the days of privations, hardships and suffering, but Fr. Servant had an iron will and an iron constitution and he was able to surmount all difficulties.

Fr. Servant returned to France in 1887 because of the death of his father and did not return to Colorado again until 1890. The Bishop sent Fr. Servant to various places in the frontier. He chose him especially whenever there was a difficult task to complete. He became the Pastor, 1893–1906, for Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Silver Cliff, then again for brief stay at a Mexican Mission in San Luis de la Culebra. From there he was sent to Colorado Springs to become Chaplain of Glockner Sanitarium; in 1906 a Pastor in a thriving mining town called Aspen; in 1911 on to Las Animas. From Las Animas he then moved to Golden where he was to spend the 12 remaining years of his life as Pastor of St. Joseph’s Church. At 72 years of age, while recovering from a serious attack of pneumonia, he died in his home from heart failure.

FR. EARLY (no photo available)
1907 – Father Early, the priest who has recently been appointed to this parish by the Rt. Rev Bishop Matz, arrived here Thursday evening and will celebrate Mass at the Catholic Church tomorrow. We have met the Rev. Father and feel justified in saying that he will prove eminently satisfactory to the members of this parish.   –Wet Mountain Tribune, August 16, 2007: Peaks of the Past. The first pastor to be stationed in Westcliffe for any length of time was Fr. Servant.

FR. RAYMON LAYTON, OSB, 1938 – October 1940

• 1932 or 33 the first 3 blue spruce trees were planted by John Knuth and Casper Keinrick… taken from the nearby forest

• Fr. Layton was pastor of St. Michael’s in Canon City from 1946-59

• Fr. Layton’s picture is in St. Michael’s Church book. Fr. Layton became Pastor of St. Michael’s Church
    in Canon City on March 7, 1946

FR. PAULINIS HAMMER, O.S.B., 1946-1949

• Back altar (first altar)

• 1940 —  Anti-Pendium inserted into the original back altar. In 1940, Thomas Hugg painted 4 different subjects
   on a rectangle canvas, in oil, to represent the different Liturgical Seasons:
  #1  White - Wheat & Grapes represents Bread & Wine-Christmas & Easter Season
  #2  Green - Two Doves represents the Ordinary Times
  #3  Red - Represents the Feast of the Martyrs.
  #4  Purple - Angus Dei represents Advent and Lent

*Grandson, Rusty Christensen, 783-2616, of Silver Cliff has #’s 2, 3, 4. Thomas Hugg’s daughter Arloa Christensen, Canon City 275-5305  would like to have the #1 painting (hanging in the parish office)

FR. MAURUS ZABOLITSKY, O.S.B., 1951-1952 

The monks of the Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City were the caretakers of Our Lady of the Assumption church. For years, they came to Westcliffe on weekends to tend to the Catholic’s in Westcliffe. Fr. Zabolitsky, appointed pastor in 1951, was the first resident priest in the parish.

FR. GERALD WALKER, O.S.B., 1961-1963 (no photo available)

• 1950 — Original pump organ

• 1961 – candelabras. Donated by Mr. & Mrs. Lee Jones

• 1961 —  Wooden square tall candlesticks (made by Bro. Michael), Sanctuary lamps and a matching Baptismal Font.
      In memory of  Frank A. Diener – May 25, 1960. These were a $600 gift through the estate of Frank A. Diener
      by Mrs. Anna Falkenberg, his sister.

• 1962 —  Baldwin Fantasia electric #2 organ, paid for by the donations of the Altar & Rosary Society and about $2-300,
       donated by Frank Deiner.

FR. BERNARD GERVAIS (Ger-vay-is) 1963-1965 (no photo available)

• 1964 — pews, mobile Tabernacle, 35” Statues: St T, Sacred Heart, BVM, St Joseph [presently painted white] St Benedict

• 1964 — back altar cloth, white scalloped

• 1965 — Pyramid leg altar (first front altar) bought from `monks’ [Robert DeGree] lectern, and communion rail
       (used only 1 year) made by Fr. Bernard. All new furnishings oak & the paneled Sanctuary wall with mahogany.

• 1965 — votive candle stand

• 1965 — mobile Tabernacle

• 1965 — second set Stations of the Cross (Fr. James gave the entire first set to Maureen & Michael Fink in 1965)

FR. JAMES MAHRER 1965–1997

• 1968 — total parishioners 97

• Altar Servers: black cassocks and white surplices

• … Both outside stairs to the Rectory (That’s the first stairway I ever built, it’s a little steep. I never hung a door before, or wired a house, or dug a basement, but there they are.
   –Southern Colorado Register,  pg 66

• … Church indoor staircase leading to the second floor choir loft in the church. The organ & choir were in the choir loft

• 1966 — altar table, plain legs

• 1967 — first used coal, then propane then central heating system installed in the rectory

• 1967 — approximate year, new roofing on the church, house and tower and the lowering of the tower

• 1996-7 — single Nativity piece, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and 2 angels with removable wings

• 1970 — propane furnace in the Church & Rectory, donated by Mr. & Mrs. Edward Knobbe

• 1972 — I.T. Verdin 340-C Carillon bell chimes; donated by Frances Byrne, in memory of her husband George`Shorty’.
     Installed August 1 ($1,485 + 3 tapes)

• 1973 — Holy Family Shrine and Bell (900 lbs) Tower (about 28’ high), designed by Fr. Mahrer to honor the Holy Family, built by generous donations and erected by volunteer workers . Fr. Leonard Schwinn celebrated a special Mass and dedication rites on August 15, 1973, before a crowd of about 75 people. Fr. James Mahrer resided along with Fr. Vincent, former pastor of OLOA 1944-46. (newspaper clipping) – see bell tower plaque below

• 1977 — refinished pews, in Pueblo, at a cost of $3,000 and paid for…in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Simi Rogensen, and Mr. & Mrs. Moise Letourneau. (Rogensen should be spelled Rogenski, engraved incorrectly)

• ... re-stuccoing the exterior at a cost of about $7,000 and paid for by a collection from the local families

• …  $3,000 double glass doors, donated by Fr. James’ brother George

• …  changing of the Choir Loft into a Cry Room, thanks to the funding of Don Bray of Alaska

• 1999 — November,  third organ

• 1982 — main Tabernacle – In memory of Melanie Jean Potthoff  (1953-1982), from her parents, brothers and sisters,
    relatives and friends.

• 1985 — third set Stations of the Cross donated by Catherine M. Piquette and Carol L. Thon, in honor of James & Myrtle Christoff

• 1985 — inside paneled. The panels were donated by Jim Viola from Penrose, and installed by Jim Christoff and (?). Prior to the paneling, the walls were painted a light greenish color

• 1986 —  start of the new James A. Mahrer Parish Hall, ending in May 1987 with the Blessing of the Center by Bishop Tafoya. Total cost $54,898. (newspaper clipping of the Blessing)

• ... Brass on Wood Plaque, 9x12: Dedicated in loving and grateful memory to Father James A. Mahrer, OSB Pastor from 1965 to 1997… Church of the Assumption… “We are witnesses to all that he did… Acts 10:39…May 25, 1997

• 1988 — Easter Candle Stand, combo Advent. Engraved at the base, Honoring Fr. James Mahrer… From Letourneux – Rogenski Family… Westcliffe, Co  1988.  Donated by Fran Rogenski and Julee Letourneux. (“Fr. James cried when he saw his name engraved at the base of the Advent Stand” from Julee Letourneux)

• ... Carpeted entrance, main aisle, Altar & Sacristy… red velvet drape behind the Crucifix, donated by Fran Rogenski, Julee Letourneux and Leorn family

• ... Large crucifix before altar from ??

• 1990 — Pulpit, in memory of John W. Loens. May 15, 1899 – June 3, 1990

• To read a the transcript of a taped interview with Fr. Mahrer, click here.

FR. LOUIS KIRBY 1997–2004 and FR. JAMES KING 2004–2005

• Ordained by  Bishop Joseph C Willging, D.D.

• ... retired the use of the paten during Holy Communion

• … new Cruet table

• ... Altar Server albs, red, hooded with white cinctures

• ... holding hands during the Our Father

• … new organ, donated by individuals, Parish collection and the DCCW

• 1998-9 — piece porcelain Nativity set, Fr. Lewis chose it & Bonnie & Ron McClain donated it

• 1999 — Mexican hand carved Crucifix donated by Mary Lou & Ray Koch

• 1999 — legless credence table made by Kevin Midler

• 2000 — Monstrance, donated by Bonnie & Ron McClain

• March 2001 — 2 brass draft proof followers for Altar candles & 6 for the candelabras, 2 cast iron flame snuffers
        (compliments of C-C Welding)

• March 2001 — blue spruce tree cut down, corner of rectory & church

• March 2001 — large Mexican Crucifix attached to rectory front, repaired by Margaret Locarnini & donated by
        Mary Lou & Ray Koch

• March 2001 —  large print of `Sistine Madonna’ in community center, sold to Fr. Louis for $150
        - (Artist, Sanzio Raphael - 1512)

• July 2001 — ambrey cabinet to hold sacred oils. Made by Kevin Milder

• … 3 cruets to hold Sacred Oils. Donated by Maureen & Chris Work
      OL-oil of Catechumens… OI-oil of the Sick… OS-oil of the Holy Chrism (most important of the oils)

• … 3 trees close to the tower cut down, opening the view of the tower and the rectory

• 2001 — red, white Tabernacle and Chalice cover - purple, green Chalice cover, altar cloth and vestment

• … 2nd altar table, plain legs

• June 2003 — ciborium bowl

• July 2003 — white polyester short front altar cloth, made by Isabella Post (previous member living in Pueblo)

• 2003 — altar #3 column-ized legs made by Kevin Midler

• … Eucharistic Adoration on 1^st Fridays, from 8am-noon

• … DCCW – women’s organization was started – January, 1999

• … started morning Vespers prior to Holy Mass

• … new organ #3

• November 2000 – started gifts being brought up to the altar by parishioners

• ...weekday Masses on Monday, Friday and Saturday mornings

FR. JAMES E. KING, September 2004 – June 26, 2005

• 2004 — was St Michael’s, Canon City and St. Benedict, Florence Pastor as well and OLOA’s in Westcliffe 

• …  Eucharistic Adoration on first Fridays, from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

• ... Communion Service on Fridays only

• ... Mass on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. after celebrating Mass in Florence and Canon City as well, that day

• ... retired use of the Chalice Veil

FR. VICENTE PAZ EN LA CASA 2005–current

• first Diocesan Pastor

• (first Fr. Vicente in 1944-46)

• Fr. Vicente is from Briton, England and had changed his English name Vincent to the Spanish version Vicente because his first parish in the U.S. was predominantly Spanish and he wanted to `fit in’. He was Pastor of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Pueblo and was credited in building the church. Later he was assigned Pastor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Grand Junction. After several years in Grand Junction, for health reasons he asked for and received a transfer to a smaller parish... St Benedict’s in Florence, St Patrick’s, a Mission church in Rockvale, CO and Our Lady of the Assumption in Westcliffe.

• His first Mass at OLA was celebrated on August 3, 2005 in the Community Building that was temporarily converted into a church until a new one was built. Since there would only be one Mass celebrated on Sundays, the old church could not accommodate the all the parishioners, the part timers and the visiting tourists during the summers so it was decided to use the larger Community Building. The old church is used for the daily Communion service, Friday Eucharistic Adoration and private meditations for those interested. The Blessed Sacrament was kept in the old church and carried over to the Community Building every Sunday for Mass, then returned to the old church for safe keeping. Plans were in process for the construction of a new church to be built in the present site of the old church... tentative demolition date, 2007

• ... Sunday Mass at 11:00 a.m.

• ... re-instated use of the Chalice Veil

• ... Communion service Friday only (discontinued in 2009)

• … Mass, Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.

• ... Eucharistic Adoration every Friday after the Communion Service for 1 hour

• ... Communion Service started also on Tuesdays, followed with Adoration for 1 hour [March 2006]

• ... sang the Eucharistic Prayer during Mass

• ... adding the Hail Mary after Prayer of Intentions,  to invoke BVM intercessions (a tradition in England)

• ... sang Prayer over the Gifts

• ... sang Preface of Sundays

• ... sang Prayer after Communion

• … Reinstalled the use of the Chalice Veil

• … Liquid oil vigil candle

• ... first Deacon of OLOA - Larry Joseph Yatch assisted in his first Mass as Deacon August 7, 2005 with Fr. Vicente

• November, 2005 — The garage to the Community Building was redesigned to accommodate a Narthex. A wall was put in place of the garage doors, a window on the south & east side added & insulation.

• November 20, 2005 — loaned to St Patrick's mission church in Rockvale:
    2 white , purple embroidered stoles, made in Mexico for Fr. Louis
    1 white stole, gold tassels with a red painting gold cross
    1 plain white stole
    2 – 5 candle candelabra's wood stem, mid-60s
    3 white albs, S M L
    1 gold Chalice with Rt. Rev. Msgr. E. J. Verschraeghen  engraved on it    – no date
    1 small plain gold paten
    1 Ciborium cup with wood stem, mid-60s
    Wooden  bookstand

• December 12, 2005 — borrowed large crucifix from St. Benedict’s in Florence

• December, 2005 — Liquid Paraffin Sanctuary Vigil candle

• December, 2005 — Changing of the Antependium’s in the old Church Back Altar according to the Liturgical seasons

• December, 2005 — White Altar Server albs, no hoods or cinctures

• October 24, 2006 — Last Mass celebrated in the Old Church… the inside was stripped immediately after the Mass ended

• November, 2006 — Massive ornate Easter Vigil candle hold purchased from the Benedictine Monastery in Canon

• November, 2006 — Presidential Chair purchased from the Benedictine Monastery in Canon

• November 13, 2006 — Demolition of the old church began with cutting down some trees

• December 26, 2006 — Demolition of the actual church bldg, should take approx 2-3 weeks