A Century of Faith, Renewed: St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Denver Celebrates Renovated Church
- Caitlin Burm
- 13 minutes ago
- 4 min read
After 11 months of restoration, parishioners returned to a renewed sacred space designed to inspire worship and strengthen community during the parish's centennial year.
Many of St. Vincent de Paul’s parishioners were moved to tears when Mass was once again celebrated in the church following 11 months of renovation.
Completed just in time for Holy Week, the restoration marked a significant milestone in the parish’s centennial year and offered parishioners their first glimpse of a renewed sacred space designed to honor the past while preparing for the future.
“It was beautiful seeing longtime parishioners who were stopped in their tracks — mouths open and tears coming to their eyes,” said Father John Hilton, the parish’s pastor, who will retire in July.
The renovation of a century-old parish is not a small undertaking, however. In addition to preserving the architectural details, sacred artwork and treasured tapestries, the renewal would also need to support the Church’s mission of community and evangelization in the 100 years to come.
A Church Renewed
For parishioner Ann McBournie, whose family has been part of St. Vincent de Paul for nearly 30 years, the restoration was a resounding success.
The renovation “incorporated some of the elements seen in the old church, but enhanced everything with beauty and color,” she said.
The project included improvements to the chapel, the renewal of artwork, enhancements to the tilework and the addition of new stained glass windows.
Longtime parishioner, Ellyn Coughlin, whose family has belonged to the parish for 35 years, shared a similar reaction when she first entered the renovated Church.
“It was always a pretty church … But it had gotten tired and worn over the years,” she said. “When I first walked into the newly renovated space, I was taken aback by how beautiful it looked, but also how it still looked like St. Vincent’s.”
For many parishioners, that familiarity was important.
“The tiles on the ceilings, all the stenciling on the walls, and the new windows have made it such a beautiful, special place to worship,” Coughlin said. “But at the same time, it still feels like home. They didn’t remove the character from the old, just made it so much more beautiful.”
She added that the restoration has also deepened her experience of worship.
“It’s such a peaceful, welcoming space,” she said. “One can really feel God’s presence.”
According to Father Hilton, beauty was one of the goals of the renovation. He believes that sacred architecture and artwork can play an important role in helping the faithful encounter God.
“In today’s world, beauty is more important than ever,” he said. “The beauty of a church reminds us of God’s presence and points us toward truth.”
He added how the renovation’s design intentionally incorporated imagery that reflected Heaven and Earth. Specifically, the restored blue ceiling adorned with stars, which serves as a reminder of St. Vincent de Paul being a sacred place where Heaven and Earth meet through the celebration of the Eucharist during Mass.
(Photos by Rachel Moore/Denver Catholic)
Looking to the Next 100 Years at St. Vincent de Paul
While the renovation transformed the Church physically, parishioners say that its greatest impact has been spiritual.
McBournie reflected on how the restoration brought together members of both the parish and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School.
“It is always lovely to be in a renovated space, but truly what makes our experience special are the community and people at St. Vincent's,” she explained, reflecting on decades of connection to the parish and school community. “We’ve met many lifelong friends through the parish and school.”
For Coughlin, the parish has impacted multiple generations of her family.
“St. Vincent’s means everything to our family,” she said. “It’s where I met my husband in 1991, and it’s where we were married. We raised our two girls at the school there, from pre-school through 8th grade. They, in turn, had their weddings there, and four out of our five grandchildren have been baptized there as well. Without St. Vincent’s, our family wouldn’t exist.”
These stories reflect what Father Hilton hopes will be preserved at St. Vincent de Paul for years to come — a community rooted in faith, fellowship and worship.
"I hope they understand the themes of the renovation and the church itself," he said. "That they can say, 'I now stand in a place where I encounter Jesus Christ. I am in his presence.'"
For Father Hilton, who will retire this summer after helping lead the parish through its centennial celebration and renovation, seeing parishioners return to the renewed church has been a fitting culmination of his years of ministry at St. Vincent de Paul.
McBournie echoed that hope for future generations.
“I hope they consider it warm and welcoming,” she said. “But most importantly, I hope they connect with the community that makes this parish so special.”
Coughlin also hopes that future generations will experience the same sense of belonging that her family has known for decades.
“I pray that they feel welcomed into our church family and feel the real presence of God,” she said. “Not only through the readings, but most importantly, through the Eucharist.”
As St. Vincent de Paul celebrates its centennial, parishioners hope the newly restored church will continue to serve as a place where families grow in faith, friendships are formed and generations encounter Christ.
For many, the renovation was not simply about preserving a building, but about ensuring that the spiritual home that has shaped countless lives remains vibrant for the next century.
“We are celebrating our 100th anniversary as a Church, and I hope that these changes take us through the next 100 years,” Coughlin said. “I also hope that new families that enter St. Vincent de Paul can feel how special it is and that they continue to attend over the years as a family, just as our family has.”
