Did you know?
In the 1880s, Alamo Placita Park began its first of many incarnations as a water park called The Chutes. Its star attractions were Professor Barnes’ herd of diving elk, who dove from platforms into water tanks, and local celebrity Sadie Boynton, who would daredevil down the chutes on a bicycle!
Sacred Landmarks
Sacred Landmarks Preservation is a program of Historic Denver which serves to preserve historic sacred places and the community services they provide, regardless of religious affiliation. Since 2000, the program has worked with over 50 sacred sites to identify and correctly address issues with the historic building so that the functions housed inside may continue to thrive. Due to dwindling congregations, finances, and other challenges, the National Trust for Historic Preservation recognized urban sacred places as endangered in 2002. Though the Sacred Landmarks program has accomplished much in the Denver area, there remains much more to do!
Through the program, we conduct research to determine the maintenance and renovation/repair costs of the historic sacred building; we strive to strengthen and maintain public education about the importance of sacred places by offering community-centered services; and we provide technical assistance to inner-city congregations and their pastors to help them accurately assess the enormous value of their physical and human resources.
Does your historic place of worship need help? You’re invited to contact us for help and information.
We believe that historic places of worship are irreplaceable centers that create and sustain communities. If your place of worship could use a helping hand, your congregation may want to get involved with Sacred Landmarks Preservation; click here to contact us.
Current Sacred Landmark Projects
430 Years Church of God in Christ
This 1885 Gothic Revival church in the San Rafael neighborhood has previously undergone a roof replacement and masonry restoration phase. The current project focuses on restoring the broken and deteriorating stained glass windows, thereby helping to keep the weather out and bring back the building’s original beauty.
Temple Emanuel
Also known as the Temple Events Center, this Uptown former synagogue was built in 1898 in an exotic Moorish style. Over the course of 2008-2009, the metal roof domes and clay tile roof will be repaired, eliminating the damaging leaks that have continuously occurred over the years and allowing the church that owns it now to undertake interior restorative efforts in the near future.
Church of the Holy Redeemer
This 1910 church in the Whittier neighborhood is a rare example of ecclesiastical architecture by the renowned Fisher and Fisher architecture firm and an important landmark from Denver’s era of segregation and civil rights. An in-depth structural investigation will identify areas of concern for the building’s health, and will guide decisions for future phases.
