Chapel on the Rock facts for kids
The Chapel on the Rock is a special place in Allenspark, Colorado, USA. Its official name is Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel. It's a real Catholic chapel where people can worship. It's also a popular spot for tourists to visit.
The chapel sits on the grounds of the Saint Malo Retreat, Conference, and Spiritual Center. This center belongs to the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver. The good news is, anyone can visit the chapel!
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Building a Church on a Rock
The idea for the Chapel on the Rock came from a man named Monsignor Joseph Bosetti. This was way back in 1916. He saw a huge rock formation near Rocky Mountain National Park. He was inspired by a famous Bible verse that says, "upon this rock I will build my church." He imagined a church built right on that very rock.
Making the Dream Happen
Monsignor Bosetti didn't have enough money at first. This delayed his dream for almost 20 years. He also had to work with the Colorado Highway Department. He wanted to make sure the big rock stayed safe during road building.
Eventually, a kind couple, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo, gave the land for the church. A talented architect from Denver, Jacques Benedict, designed the chapel. The building was finally finished in 1936.
Recognized as a Historic Place
Many years later, in 1999, Boulder County officially named the chapel a historic site. This means it's an important place with a special past.
Famous Visitors and Events
The Chapel on the Rock has seen some important visitors and survived some tough times.
Pope John Paul II's Visit
In 1993, a very famous person visited the chapel: Pope John Paul II. He came to Denver for an event called World Youth Day. While he was there, he prayed at the chapel. After his prayer, he blessed the chapel. The Pope also enjoyed the outdoors. He hiked in the nearby woods and spent time at the Saint Malo Retreat Center.
Surviving Disasters
The chapel has been very lucky. In November 2011, a big fire happened. It destroyed most of the retreat center around the chapel. The center had to close because of the damage. But the Chapel on the Rock was saved!
Then, in September 2013, there was a huge flood. Much of the land around the chapel was washed away. But once again, the Chapel on the Rock stood strong and survived the flood.
