A Brief History of Our Lady of the Pines

The history of Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church may be said to have begun in 1960 and 1961 with serious discussion about the need for a Catholic Church in the Black Forest. A group of fourteen Catholics met at the Community Center in July of 1961, at the invitation of Mrs. George (Shirlee) Smith and Mr. & Mrs. George Joachim. Religious instruction for the children was the first priority. Classes were first taught in private homes, then the caretaker's home on Brentwood Estates was offered and used for a time, and then classes were moved to a log cabin behind the Black Forest store.

In 1962, 230 people attended the First Communion Mass, which was held in the Community Center Hall. The entire community, Catholics and Protestants alike, all helped by donating, decorating, and attending service. Pews were brought in from the Catholic Church in Elbert and the altar was made by Tony Hannasch.

In 1963, a field Mass was offered by a chaplain from the Air Force Academy. August 14, 1964, saw the initiation of a weekly Mass in the "Sugar Shack", offered by Father Wood, who was Chaplain of St. Francis Hospital. That same year, Archbishop Vehr of Denver approved the donation of $50,000 from the Archdiocesan Development fund for the construction of a church on property at McFerran and Teachout Roads. During the year of construction, the members of the Black Forest Community Church (who had just built a new church) invited the Catholic community to user their original log church for Mass.

The first Mass in Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church was offered at 12:00 Midnight on December 24, 1965. From 1965 to 1967, many mission priests came to serve the parish on Sundays. Fr. Thomas Hanlon, a retired Air Force Chaplain became the first resident priest in the Fall of 1970. The rectory was built during Fr. Hanlon's stay.

Fr. Bill Vollmer came to Our Lady of the Pines in January 1977, and the parish continued to grow. Plans to meet the expanding needs of a physically overcrowded parish were begun in 1983-1984. By the time Fr. Frederick Lang, C.PP.S. of the Society of the Precious Blood, came in July of 1985, Bishop Richard C. Hanifen had given his approval to continue planning for an addition to the church.

Groundbreaking took place on June 28, 1987. Dedication of the addition was held on November 8, 1987. The church addition provides the parish with six classrooms downstairs, doubles the capacity for Mass attendance upstairs, and llowed for installation of new kitchen facilities.

In 1995, Bishop Richard C. Hanifen assigned Fr. Gerald Borer, S.J., to Our Lady of the Pines. In his priestly ministry of 40 years, Fr. Jerry has been a high school teacher, retreat master, spiritual director, assistant provincial, and associate pastor. As a member of the Society of Jesus, he has brought a Jesuit perspective of collaboration, service, and ministry to our faith community. One of the tasks he has undertaken is to study the future of Our Lady of the Pines Parish as it deals with the population growth of the surrounding area; while maintaining a true welcoming spirit that is characteristic of Our Lady of the Pines. Under his direction, the church parking lot was enlarged and the facilities have been upgraded. Fr. Jerry welcomed a new Knights of Columbus council to the parish and has implemented many social ministry programs, while continually supporting the initiatives of his predecessors.