Church_history

In November 1911, forty families in the Welby vegetable farming area, gathered to
discuss building a Catholic church. A month later one acre of land was purchased from the
Denver-Laramie Railroad and work began on building history. The Italian descent farmers
would meet in Rotolo's grocery store until the church was built.

The original cost of the church was only $1300.00. On May 12, 1912 the church
was completed and dedicated to the Blessed Mother under the title of the Assumption.
In October of 1912 the church was offered to the Order, the Servants of Mary,
who were staffing Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Servite Order remained at Assumption
until June 2003.

In 1941 the vestibule was added along with the west bell tower. Then in 1947,
the church was completely torn down, except for the vestibule and the west bell tower,
when the freeze on building was lifted after World War II. A second bell tower was built.
Many original items were used in the new church.

In 1920, construction for a Catholic school had begun. The school opened in
September of that same year to 250 students in grades kindergarten through high school.
The school was placed in the care of the Sisters, Servants of Mary. In 1950 ground was
broken for a gymnasium and a kitchen, so the women of the parish had a place to cook
their famous spaghetti. This added to the school. A garage was built alongside the kitchen
that eventually became the cafeteria. The high school closed in 1952.

On May 6, 1962, with Fr. Julius M. Porcellini, O.S.M. as pastor, the parish celebrated
it's 50th anniversary. A fund drive was held to finance improvements to the parish
buildings. The front rectory was removed and a hallway was constructed to join the
church and rectory buildings. A new front was added onto the school, creating more office
space. Mass was celebrated and dinner followed.

In 1978 extensive remodeling was done to the school and the church. New lights and new
carpet were installed in the church. The stained glass windows were covered on the outside
with ½ -inch protective sheet of Lexan. The gymnasium was painted, new floor, and
evaporative coolers were installed. In the school, all ceilings were lowered, windows were
replaced and all electrical was brought up to fire regulation code along with a new fire
system and public address system was installed.

Community has always been the backbone of this parish, from the "Renew" program in the
1980's to the "Follow Me" program in the early 2000's. The gem of this parish goes to the
annual BAZAAR and SPAGHETTI DINNER.

The Spaghetti Dinner was a part of the annual Bazaar. The school children enjoyed this as
they were given two days off from school. The bazaar was a four-day event, Thursday
through Sunday in November. The bazaar has flourished into the biggest, money-making
and social event, the same as it was back in the 1920's. In 1963 the bazaar was moved from
November to the summertime, outdoor bazaar, as we know it today. The Spaghetti Dinner
is still a parish favorite. This annual event is put together by the Mollinaro family for all to
enjoy.

In 2003, after 90 years, the Servants of Mary relinquished Assumption Parish to the
Archdiocese of Denver. Fr. Peter Dinh becomes the first diocese priest to serve
Assumption. Fr. Peter remodels the church offices, updates the school, installs new carpet
in the church, and remodels the sanctuary with marble. In the church, a new organ was
purchased and installed in the choir loft. Air-conditioning units are set up and installed to
make the Sunday Masses more comfortable.

On May 12, 2012, we will celebrate 100 years as Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Catholic Church. Join us and become a part of the legacy by placing an inscribed paver
brick in the "Flame of Love," a memorial wall, built to commemorate this special event, or
any special event such as a birth, baptism, marriage or death. Paver bricks are an excellent
way for alumni to remember their days at Assumption School, the Secular Order of the
Servants of Mary, a special person or friend. Celebrate your community, live your faith,
order your paver brick today.