St. Thomas More Campus

St. Thomas More isn’t the largest congregation in the Archdiocese of Denver by chance. A steady program of bricks-and-mortar expansion has followed virtually every spiritual blessing bestowed on this parish community. St. Thomas More Center is known for its commitment to worship, prayer, education, recreation, and community. The impressive campus is testament to the values of our people.

St. Thomas More now numbers more than 6,200 families – representing more than 21,000 individuals – and grows by an average of 20 new members per week. In 30 years, the parish has changed dramatically from the humble beginnings on 40 acres in the undeveloped prairie south of Denver.

The parish officially began back in 1971 as Mission South East, but its foundation was officially set in February 1974, when construction of the Community Center, including the Mission Room and Worship Area, began on 40 acres at Quebec Street and County Line Road. The 300-seat chapel was completed in December of that same year, enabling the 1,000-member parish to have a true church home.

Two weeks later, the parish opened the Padre Restaurant, the first for a U.S. Catholic church. It was a pet project of founding pastor Rev. Frederick McCallin and soon became a community gathering place. Among its featured early menu items: a Pope hamburger “blessed with cheddar cheese” and a variety of alcoholic beverages dubbed “Holy Spirits.”

In January 1982, the parish began construction of the current church sanctuary or worship area and connecting Cloister Walk, completing the project with a Mass of Dedication on June 21, 1983. Over the next six years, St. Thomas More added new facilities for recreation, including the gymnasium, tennis courts, and expansive outdoor playing fields. The Youth Center, dedicated in 1988, was the last project of Father McCallin’s 17-year tenure as pastor.

That same year, the parish’s popular Cloister Cove religious gift shop opened in December, thanks to the efforts of Ray O’Shea and a team of volunteers. The store offering “gifts for all seasons” has been a vital part of St. Thomas More’s ministry, providing funds to help complete many needed projects. In 2001, the Cloister Cove was expanded to more than double its previous size, offering an even greater selection of books and religious goods.

During the tenure of Father Michael Walsh, the parish remodeled the sanctuary, adding a central aisle. Soon afterward, the parish added the Adoration Chapel. Established as the Oratory of the Blessed Sacrament, the chapel was dedicated in summer 1993 and blessed by French Cardinal Jean Lustiger during World Youth Day in Denver.

In 1996, the St. Joseph’s Cove and baptistry were dedicated, complete with a statue of St. Joseph and a six-panel stained glass window depicting the Good Shepherd and the Holy Spirit. The baptistry, located to the south of the altar in the sanctuary, was funded by proceeds from the Cloister Cove.

The parish’s crowning achievement in recent years is the Evangelization Center. Building planning began in January 1990, progressing through focus groups, parish meetings, and finally building committees and fundraising for the project. Groundbreaking for Phase I took place on October 22, 1992. The building was dedicated on June 22, 1994. The first Religious Education classes began meeting in February, followed by the opening of St. Thomas More School (K-6) in September.

The school was the first Catholic School built in the Archdiocese of Denver and the region in more than 30 years. Almost immediately, plans began for Phase II. Again the committees were mobilized, the fundraising was materialized and the new $7 million expansion opened in 2000. The new offices, middle school wing and gymnasium were much anticipated by the entire parish community. Today the Center is home to more than 500 students attending St. Thomas More School in grades kindergarten through eight, offices and 1,800 students attending the parish’s Academic and Faith Formation program and an additional 150 children who attend the growing Mothers’ Day Out program.

Also in the past year, the parish offices below the sanctuary have been remodeled to provide a more comfortable and efficient workspace for parish staff. While major building projects may be far on the horizon for a time, it’s certain that the facilities at St. Thomas More will be well used as part of the varied and vibrant ministries and activities of our church. For 30 years, God’s blessings have been bountiful in this great, big church.