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St. John's Cathedral
Address: 1350 Washington Street
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-831-7115
Web site: www.sjc-den.org

St. John's in the Wilderness is the Cathedral Church of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado, a large urban parish in the heart of Denver's Capitol Hill Neighborhood with the second largest cathedral congregation in the United States. The cathedral is an anchor in central Denver, providing a spiritual home to over 4500 people from diverse backgrounds throughout the metro-Denver area. It was founded in 1860 and is among the first of Denver buildings to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The parish was elevated to a cathedral in 1879 and was the third structure built as an Episcopal cathedral in the United States. Arson destroyed the original church in 1903, but most of the stained glass and wood carvings were saved and incorporated into our present building. The first service in the present cathedral was held November 5, 1911, and the building was consecrated June 11, 1925. The Cathedral's rich history and deep legacy was recognized by the Colorado Historical Society in 2000 when it was awarded a three-year grant to preserve its beauty and to make improvements on is physical structure. In 2001, Saint John's completed a two-year series of construction projects which added and enhanced spaces for hospitality, worship, education, and music. In the 21st century, Saint John's continues to play a critical role in people's lives through local, national, and international social service programs, while maintaining its structure as a religious and historic landmark.

The roots of Saint John's community service and outreach begin in early days of Saint John's when Dean Hart helped form the Denver Charity Organization Society. This was the first charitable enterprise in the United States, and it grew to become the national organization known today as the United Way. Today as an urban cathedral, Saint John's provides a multitude of programs that nourish all aspects of people's lives. Each year, our Urban and Social Concern Commission makes financial grants to approximately 20 community agencies and involved cathedral members in ministry to those in need. The International Mission programs create relationships with communities in the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

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