Catholic History - Cañon City
In 1860 Wm & Elizabeth Esser established themselves in the Canon City community and started raising funds to purchase a building on 9th and main for a church.
1861 to 1883 the spiritual wants of the few Catholic families in the territory were attended to at irregular intervals by mission priest.
1884 to 1886 priest came from Silver Cliff and Pueblo. Services were held once a month in the old Opera House on Main Street.
Corner stone for St Michael New church at 9th and Macon was laid in 1890. The church was dedicated by Bishop Nicolas C. Matz on Oct. 4 1891 Saint Michael was chosen as patron saint and name of the parish
In 1895 the parish and the whole Diocese were in dire financial straits. Bishop Matz of Denver invited the Benediction Monks of Latrobe, PA assume the financial obligation of St Michael parish and it’s missions. Father Casimir Elsesser, O.S.B. became the first Benedictine pastor on May 6, 1896. The Benedictine Fathers continued to administer the needs of the parish until 1988. During that period of time 38 Benediction priest served the St. Michael community. In 1930 a New Gothic Altar was added.
Plans for a new St. Michael’s Church began in August, 1955 It was built on the corner of 11th and College and is incorporated with the new church.. This new church and rectory were dedicated April 7,1957
The first parochial school of St. Michael’s Parish opened Sept. 13, 1909 in the 900 block of Macon. with 52 students and a faculty of sisters from St. scholastic Academy.
St. Michael new Grade School opened October, 1961 located at 1016 Mistic Ave. .. The school was closed Aug 28, 1986. The last enrollment was almost 100.
St. Anthony’s Catholic community at Brookside was formed in 1883. The old school from Brewster was purchased and restored to become St Anthony’s Catholic church in 1921. St Anthony parish became a part of St. Michael in 1914. The church building was returned to the Village of Brookside.
A little band of nine Roman Catholic priest came to Canon City in the Spring of 1886. It was 40 years later before the monks’ dream of a school for boys was realized. Holy Cross Abbey and School began with 39 students is September 1926. It was a Benedictine High School, and at one time offered junior college courses. Holy Cross Abbey, a boys’ high school closed in 1987 because of financial problems. The decision was made to close it’s doors and be sold. This sad circumstance took place in October of 2005
St Scholastic Academy came to Colorado in 1890. The Benedictine Sisters listened to the plea of the Bishop and came to Canon City where they purchased the old Military Academy on the Corner of Pike and 7th Ave. The academy grew and flourished for more than 100 years. For many reasons the Academy closed June 2001.
In 1938 the Hospital was so financially distressed that they were on the verge of closing. The Benediction
On September 4, 2004, St. Michael's celebrated groundbreaking with Bishop Arthur Tafoya. June 28, 2007 the new St. Michael Church was dedicated. The previous church built 50 years earlier was incorporated into this new church to serve as St. Anthony Chapel and Parish Center,