PHOTOS | A Dream Fulfilled: All Souls Parish in Englewood Completes Long-Awaited Church Renovation
- Guest Contributor
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Joe Donelson
This past Sunday, on the Feast of St. Lucy, All Souls Parish in Englewood reopened its doors to the neighborhood, unveiling a newly renovated place of worship. With Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila in attendance for the dedication of the altar and many former pastors concelebrating, the feast day was marked by deep gratitude and joy. Those with “eyes to see” were invited into the church to experience a beautifully rehabilitated interior — the result of a years-long effort to renew the sacred space.
The renovation was long anticipated. Since its construction in 1954 under the leadership of Father Omer V. Foxhoven, All Souls had never undergone a full renovation, receiving only a few minor additions in the 1990s. Over the decades, several pastors had explored the possibility, but the project never came to fruition.
That changed with the arrival of Father Rick Nakvasil, the parish’s current pastor.
“When I arrived in 2021, I had a few parishioners say, ‘Father, we haven’t done the renovation yet, what do you say about it?’ And there were things that definitely had to change,” Father Nakvasil said. “The red carpet that had been put down years ago was not a fan favorite. There were some things where pretty much everyone agreed.”
Beyond aesthetics, much of the church’s infrastructure was aging; the pews and many essential elements of the building were nearly 70 years old. After almost two decades of attempts to revitalize the space, All Souls parishioners successfully raised $5.3 million to renew their church and school home.
In his homily, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila acknowledged both the long wait and the faithfulness of the parish community.
“I want to congratulate Father Rick for seeing this through, and all of you for seeing this through,” the archbishop said. “I know you all have been waiting for it for a long time, for many decades. With that, it is a day of great joy, a day to lift up our hearts in gratitude to Jesus Christ, to the Father, for all of this was done for the glory of the Father, to help us and to remind us of the promises that our God has fulfilled in his son, Jesus Christ.”
(Photos by Joe Donelson)
Beauty That Evangelizes
Among the renovation’s highlights are numerous intentional works of sacred art, including a mosaic of Jesus and the Sacred Heart, a new tabernacle featuring an image of Divine Mercy, and paintings by parishioner Casey Batt. Though still awaiting completion at Holy Week, new stained-glass windows will soon line the walk from the narthex to the altar.
“Before anything else, the Church is the People of God, the mystical Body of Christ,” Father Nakvasil said. “But it’s also God’s desire, beginning with the temple and spreading throughout the known land, to have sacred places. Should we not have a place that we, as family, as Christians, come together and be sacred?”
He continued:
“Here’s something that people forget … we learn through the senses. Are we giving people the chance to see something beautiful, the things that impact our souls? So, the paintings of Casey Batt, the Divine Mercy Tabernacle, the stained glass, and the overall work on the ceiling are vital.”
For Father Nakvasil and the parishioners of All Souls, the renovation was not only about physical safety and beauty, but about spiritual mission — both for the parish and for the wider Denver community.
“As pastor, I say something that you guys already know: every person in our parish boundary, we are responsible for their salvation. Even if they reject Christ at this moment, we are responsible,” he said.
A Story of Healing and Redemption
Parishioner Kati Dietz, whose children attend All Souls Catholic School in Englewood, reflected on the impact of the transformation.
“The thought that came to my mind during the Mass today was how grateful I am to be Catholic!” she said. “Beauty is such an element of attraction to the Church for everybody here. But also, ‘All Souls,’ as Father Rick was saying, I think of the souls in Purgatory, in our church, in Denver … to have this church be more vibrant for that attraction to Christ, I’m just so grateful to Father Rick, the Archbishop, everybody who’s put so much work into this.”
That intentionality was woven deeply into the design. Father Nakvasil worked closely with Adam Hermanson of Integration Design Group, Casey Batt and others to ensure the renovation told a coherent theological story.
“Here’s the idea: because we’re All Souls, and specifically devoted to the holy souls in Purgatory, the whole thing is about healing and mercy,” Father Nakvasil explained. “When you walk into All Souls, you’re walking into Eden. Then when you’re walking into the main nave, there’s The Fall … but there’s also the hope of redemption.”
This theme is especially evident in the stained glass, which gradually lightens in tone from the narthex toward the altar, creating a visual journey toward Christ.
“We’re basically coming from our birth through to the resurrection,” said Jim Neenan, a parishioner involved in fundraising and construction. “So our ability to move through our Catholic faith through our whole lives is like a progression to the altar, and then our resurrection: once we die, we hopefully go to Heaven. The design reflects that.”
“It is really incredible to be able to walk in and see that idea of redemption right there,” said longtime parishioner Jen Venette. “The light, and everything that comes together, to be a part of this and see it happen after literally decades. Everything is incredible. I’m so glad someone decided to take care of it. That’s what this family does: we take care of each other. I am very proud to be a part of this parish.”
Dedicated for Christ’s Sacrifice
That shared sense of pride and gratitude filled the church as Archbishop Aquila prepared to dedicate the new altar.
“Today, as we dedicate this altar, the altar is always a reminder to us of the one sacrifice: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ,” the archbishop said. “Every time that we celebrate the Eucharist, we celebrate God with us, and the fulfillment of his promise.”
“Let [this altar] be the source of the Church’s unity and of fraternal harmony,” the altar dedication prayer proclaims, “where your faithful, gathering as one, may drink of the spirit of mutual charity.”
After Mass, Father Nakvasil thanked the archbishop, the concelebrating priests and the many parishioners and workers who made the renovation possible. As a final reminder of the renovation’s redemptive theme, Father Rick announced the St. Rafael devotional chapel, claiming a spot to the left of the altar. Pointing to a frame of the newly installed stained glass, Father reminded those present that Advent and Christmas are a time of gratitude and healing.
“The Catholic Church gives us this space and time to be made whole,” he said.
Referring to a newly installed stained-glass image of the paralytic, he added, “There are ways to translate what Christ asked the paralytic, but the line I like the most is: ‘Do you want to be made whole?’ Whole. To be sanctified and allow the Father to love us.”
He concluded, echoing the archbishop’s focus on Eucharistic healing:
“How many people are hurting so deeply? I pray, my friends, may all of us heal from our wounds, and may it be especially through the Holy Eucharist. May God bless you all, and on this day, may St. Lucy intercede for us.”
