1902 - St. Victor's Catholic Church - Victor, CO - Dated Buildings and Cornerstones on Waymarking.com

When Father Edward downey was appointed the first priest for Victor in 1894, only 25 families claimed a catholic religiou affiliation. The first mass was celebrated in the Baptist Chuch in June of that year. For several months, Mass was offered in Mr. DeBoice's lumber office in Victor, and in a private house in Lawrence(south of Victor). The first Catholic Church was a small frame structure built on two lots on South Second Street donated by the Woods investment Company.

By 1901 the need arose for a larger church and ground was broken at Second Street and Portland Ave. The cornerstone for St. Victor's was laid in 1902, and the church was completed in September of 1903. By that time the Catholic population was to be around 350 families.

A bell tower was not included in the design because Father Downey maintained that "in a mining campwhere men work three shifts, our miners are entitled to all the sleep they can get undisturbed by the ringing of church bells".

The central front wood paneled door is flanked to the side and above by stained-glass Gothic windows. A stone cross in relief between the two flat pilasters surmounts the central door and window. There is also a small rose window in the peak of the gable end.

This church is still used but I think its only used in the summer months as there is no heating in it. I believe the Our Lady in The Woods Catholic Church in Woodland Park, Colorado own the church.

Not really sure when mass is. Not even sure if they still have mass here or not. They did when I was growing up in Victor

Year of construction: 1902 Cross-listed waymark: [Web Link] Full inscription: St. Victor's 1902

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