Church Tour:
Welcome to our beautiful Church located in the mountains of Northwestern Colorado. Feel free to print this page when visiting our parish as a guide for walking around the environment and seeing all the amazing details and meaning behind each and every architectural element.
Exterior
Bells ~ A Summons to Worship
Bells came into use in our churches as early as the year 400. In those times, the church bell was useful not only for summoning the faithful to religious services or sounding an alarm when danger threatened, but also for marking the time of day before there were clocks. Very large bells for church towers came into common use somewhere around the 11th century. Following this long tradition, the tower over the main entrance to Holy Name contains four cast bronze bells, which toll the four-pitch peal of C-F-G-A, summoning us to worship.
Bells ~ A Summons to Worship
Bells came into use in our churches as early as the year 400. In those times, the church bell was useful not only for summoning the faithful to religious services or sounding an alarm when danger threatened, but also for marking the time of day before there were clocks. Very large bells for church towers came into common use somewhere around the 11th century. Following this long tradition, the tower over the main entrance to Holy Name contains four cast bronze bells, which toll the four-pitch peal of C-F-G-A, summoning us to worship.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
A granite statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus fills the niche above the main portal, welcoming all people into His Church with open arms saying, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Cornerstone ~ A glimpse of Holy Name Church History
A plaque at the base of the bell tower expresses the parish mission to welcome all people “with open arms and hearts.” It references the previous parishes from 1907 to the present.. Beneath the plaque is the cornerstone of the new church of 2014, a stone made to match the one beside it from the previous church of 1964. We are reminded here of the significance of the cornerstone in Christian tradition. Jesus is “the stone which the builders rejected” which “has become the cornerstone . . . chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6–7).
Mountain of Stone
Stone is also the dominant material on the exterior of the church. In addition to its resemblance to the top of “The Mountain,” this material was chosen because of its connection to St. Peter. When Peter was the first to profess Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the Living God,” Jesus responded by saying, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). One of the most durable exterior materials, the rock on the façade shows our connection to the Successor of Peter, the Pope. Here, the stone is interspersed with wood to show the softer, living nature of the building.
Along the sidewalk that leads to this primary entrance are stone pavers representing the gifts of many people to honor baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, Knights of Columbus, and other beloved family members. These memorial pavers continue to the left along a promenade in front of the church. An arch over the sidewalk signifies the beginning of our transition from the secular to the sacred.
St. Francis Bench
The figure of a playfully mystical St. Francis invites us to relax with him on a bench outside the main entrance. Simple holiness exudes from the saint, attracting various animals that he saw as fellow creatures of God’s family. This delightful, spirited bronze was cast by Richard Lee Price. The three bishops of Colorado declared Francis to be the patron saint of Colorado. Placed here at the front door, he reminds us that Pope Francis calls for churches to have open doors, doors that welcome people in and doors to send us out to love and serve those on the fringes of society.
The Way, Hand Carved Doors
The wood carvings on the doors at the main entrance express additional messages of beauty and welcome. The images are meant to suggest that, through Christ, “the narrow gate,” we find our way to the Tree of Life, which has three rings representing the Holy Trinity (Matthew 7:13-14). The lower panels of the door depict Jesus welcoming the children of God to follow him as “the Way” to the kingdom of truth and life (John 14:6). Entering the church, we pass through Him, who is the gate (John 10:9), on our shared journey as pilgrims to God’s holy mountain. The mountain on the left door represents Hahns Peak in north Routt County.
Cornerstone ~ A glimpse of Holy Name Church History
A plaque at the base of the bell tower expresses the parish mission to welcome all people “with open arms and hearts.” It references the previous parishes from 1907 to the present.. Beneath the plaque is the cornerstone of the new church of 2014, a stone made to match the one beside it from the previous church of 1964. We are reminded here of the significance of the cornerstone in Christian tradition. Jesus is “the stone which the builders rejected” which “has become the cornerstone . . . chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6–7).
Mountain of Stone
Stone is also the dominant material on the exterior of the church. In addition to its resemblance to the top of “The Mountain,” this material was chosen because of its connection to St. Peter. When Peter was the first to profess Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the Living God,” Jesus responded by saying, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). One of the most durable exterior materials, the rock on the façade shows our connection to the Successor of Peter, the Pope. Here, the stone is interspersed with wood to show the softer, living nature of the building.
Cornerstone ~ A glimpse of Holy Name Church History
A plaque at the base of the bell tower expresses the parish mission to welcome all people “with open arms and hearts.” It references the previous parishes from 1907 to the present.. Beneath the plaque is the cornerstone of the new church of 2014, a stone made to match the one beside it from the previous church of 1964. We are reminded here of the significance of the cornerstone in Christian tradition. Jesus is “the stone which the builders rejected” which “has become the cornerstone . . . chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6–7).
Mountain of Stone
Stone is also the dominant material on the exterior of the church. In addition to its resemblance to the top of “The Mountain,” this material was chosen because of its connection to St. Peter. When Peter was the first to profess Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the Living God,” Jesus responded by saying, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). One of the most durable exterior materials, the rock on the façade shows our connection to the Successor of Peter, the Pope. Here, the stone is interspersed with wood to show the softer, living nature of the building.
Interior
Gathering Space
The main portal leads into the former church that has been transformed into our narthex or gathering space, an area we like to refer to as our Family Room.
Welcoming
The four stained glass windows in this space express our parish mission statement that we are a community “reaching out to everyone with open arms and hearts.”
Family Room
On the wall above the fireplace hangs a large cross with the image of a grape vine burnt into the wood. Created by local craftsman and carpenter, Brian Leach, it expresses the living cross of Jesus as the vine, in whom we must remain if we are to bear much fruit (John 15:1–5).
Baptismal Font
The Baptismal Font dominates the main entrance into the nave, or worship space. Designed to emulate nature, this font of living water is placed at the entrance because Baptism is the first Sacrament of Initiation into the Church. The water flows from an upper pool to smaller pools on either side, sending three waterfalls—representing the Trinity in whose names we are baptized—into a large lower pool. The three upper pools accommodate infant baptism, while the lower pool accommodates adult baptism by immersion or submersion. A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary overlooks this pool which is connected to the sanctuary by the center aisle of white tile. At the opposite end of the nave, the stone on the back wall of the sanctuary (reredos) is the same as that used in the baptismal font and the exterior of the church. But the stone of the reredos wall is dry-stacked to give it smoother appearance.
The Altar
In the center of the sanctuary floor stands the altar made of Colorado red granite, its base depicting a mountain. Here again is the image God’s Holy Mountain, a symbol of the heavenly Jerusalem. In the words of the prophet Isaiah:
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever (25:6–7).
The symbol of the Holy Name of Jesus (IHS) has been transferred from the former altar to this new one. I, H and S are the first three capital letters in the Greek name of Jesus. It is also a symbol for the phrase: Jesus, God’s Son, Savior.
Sanctuary Design
In the Catholic tradition, this church is constructed in the shape of a cross, with the cross beams intersecting at the altar. The altar in this configuration also represents the pierced heart of Jesus in the center of the cross, “from
which flowed blood and water, the fountain of sacramental life in the Church” (Preface for the Feast of the Sacred Heart). This stone altar contains one more level of symbolic richness: The Colorado red granite is shaped like a mountain, while its color suggests that of a living heart or flowing blood. This color also relates to the natural world, as it reminds us of the Sangre de Cristo or Blood of Christ mountain range in southeast Colorado.
The assembly faces this mountain in worship and offering, while also facing one another as a family gathered for a festive meal.
Lecturn
The lectern (or pulpit) has incorporated the wooden scrolls from the lectern of the previous church, scrolls on which were written the Sacred Jewish Scriptures (Luke 4:17-20). These scrolls have been placed on a slab of Colorado red granite to match the altar. The Book of the Gospels can be displayed on the small lower ledge on the front of the lectern.
Gentle Curves
This balance between the gentle curves of a semi-circle and the hard angles where straight lines intersect can also be seen in other aspects of the church. The gentle curves above the windows and doors contrast with the hard angles of the wooden beams, especially the ascending trusses that point dramatically toward the sky. This is a balance that is seen in all of creation, suggesting the feminine and masculine qualities that make our Church community fertile and fruitful.
The Heavens
Gathering Space
The main portal leads into the former church that has been transformed into our narthex or gathering space, an area we like to refer to as our Family Room.
“The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” (Psalm 19:1)
On the ceiling high above the altar we glimpse the heavens as God says, “Let there be light,” and a burst of light appears in the darkness (Genesis 1:3). This striking image suggests that God knew from the beginning that the cross would be the center of our human story. So the cross is represented in the center of this burst of light, an image designed by local artist, Richard Galusha. Two structural wooden beams are wrapped in gold to highlight the cross, as rays of light emanate from its center. Other points of light form eight constellations as they appear in the December sky over the northern hemisphere. Beginning at the lower right side of the cross and moving counter-clockwise, the constellations are: Cancer, Ursa Major (Big Dipper), Ursa Minor (Little Dipper), Northern Cross, Pegasus, Pisces, Taurus and Orion.
The Dove
The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove proceeds from this divine light hovering over the waters of creation (Genesis 1:2) as “the Lord, the giver of life” (Nicene Creed). This dove also represents the Holy Spirit descending upon the altar below, during the epiclesis of the Mass, as the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Windows
Creation
The high windows above the nave express the creation sequence based on the first three chapters of the Book of Genesis. They were designed by parishioner, Gregory Effinger, and assembled by parishioner Georgian Kalow and a team of fifty local artisans. From the sanctuary to the main entrance on the Oak Street side of the church, there are six sets of windows.
Symbology
Many windows in the church represent catholic symbols including the The Fountain, The Fiery Sword, the Holy Name of Jesus, The Name of Christ, the Trumpet Lilies, The Victorious Lamb, The Rosary and the Rose. 
Tree of Life
The mystical Tree of Life frames the Bible like its first and last books (Genesis 2:9; 3:24; and Revelation 22:14). At its base we can see two of the four rivers mentioned in Genesis (2:10–14) nourishing the ancient roots. The tree’s great age and height is suggested by the size of a majestic bull elk standing on the lower right. As the tree ascends to the sky, we notice that its branches support various birds, along with fruits, representing the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). The glorious tree, very much alive, seems to have been growing forever.
Luminous Mysteries
The Holy Name of Jesus the Christ and Messiah, all point us to the Incarnation, the Anointed One, the King of Kings. Our Lord gradually revealed himself as savior and king throughout his earthly ministry culminating in his death, resurrection, and ascension. The other windows in the clerestory and transepts sum up this gradual revelation. We start with the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary that were identified and composed by Pope Saint John Paul II, The Baptism of Christ, the Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom and The Transfiguration of Christ,
I AM Windows
On either side of the sanctuary, three sets of three windows outline the transept (the horizontal arms of the cruciform church). These six triptychs reveal Jesus as the human incarnation of the God who spoke from the Burning Bush and who continues to abide with us in the Tabernacle. These windows display Jesus identifying Himself with the Holy Name “I Am” in the Gospel according to St. John.
I Am the Light of the World, I Am the Good Shepherd, I Am the Bread of Life, I Am the Vine, I Am the Resurrection and the Life, I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life
Saints and Martyrs
On either side of the sanctuary, several sets of windows show Martyrs from all over the world. Pictured below are several.
Pentecost Continues
A uniquely daring depiction of how the Holy Spirit continues to give birth to the Church is shown in the largest window of the north transept. This complex window merits a de-tailed explanation.
Filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, St. Peter gave a speech in which he said, “God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth as you see and hear” (Acts 2: 32–33). How did the Church get from Jerusalem to Steamboat Springs? The Holy Spirit. The theme of this window is the Holy Spirit inspiring people to spread the Good News of Christ‘s resurrection from Jerusalem to every human culture throughout salvation history.
Every Knee Shall Bend
At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bend Another daringly unique window is the largest one in the south transept. Here the prayer of the Spirit and the Bride is answered (Revelation 22:17, 20)—Jesus returns. This window is based on Philippians 2:6–11 and Isaiah 45:23, depicting Jesus coming as Lord to reign over Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley.
Divine Mercy
The stained-glass window in the Chapel of Peace depicts Jesus, as described by St. Faustina Kowalska, with white and red rays shining from his heart. The white ray depicts Baptism, symbolized by the water and shell in the small square window to the left (page 42). The red ray depicts the blood of the Eucharist, symbolized by the chalice flaming (page 42) with love to the right.(The background colors are much brighter than the dark described by Sr. Faustina because such dark glass would make this south-facing room uncomfortably hot.)
Our Lady of Guadalupe
She was declared Patron Saint of the America’s by Pope St. John Paul II. The story of her apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531 is told in many other resources. She asked him to gather roses and take them to the bishop as a sign of the authenticity of her apparition and of her request to build a chapel on that sight. This unique window captures the moment just after her image was imprinted on Juan’s tilma. After gathering the roses into his tilma he offers Mary a rose. A tilma is an outer garment of thin cloth made of cactus flowers which normally decays in 30–40 years.
The background landscape, reminiscent of the valley below, shows Popocatépetl Volcano which is still active there today. An exceptional detail in this window is the special quality of glass which stained-glass artist, Georgian Kalow, chose for Our Lady’s mantle. This beautiful blue glass is transparent except where the stars have been carved. When Georgian knowingly etched the stars half way into the glass, the glass became an opaque white. Thus, the transparent blue mantle and the white stars were all produced by the same piece of glass. This fine glasswork is, itself, a kind of miracle!
Sacred Heart Chapel
The six windows in this chapel depict six Sacraments. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is not depicted by a window but rather by the cross a the center of the windows, and by the Altar and the Tabernacle. The windows connect each Sacrament with one of the names or titles of Jesus.
The Crucifix
The crucifix appears to be suspended between earth and heaven where Jesus offers himself as a victim of love. He alone is worthy to wield the fiery sword of perfect love and with it melt the chains of sin and death.
The crucifix of Holy Name Church was donated by members of the Cullen, Squire and Hogue Families in 1964, in memory of Anne Cullen Squire who was killed in an auto accident. Ann was one of the founding members of Holy Name Parish along with Fr. John J. Meyers who was pastor from 1907–1938. So, not only has this crucifix graced the sanctuaries of the last two churches, but it also represents a connection to the first generation of our parish family. The century-old church of Routt County, along with the two millennia of Christian tradition, have been inspired by the cross—a revelation of divine providence that invites our contemplation.
We are redeemed from sin and death and restored to the tree of life (Revelation 22:14) in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, on either side of the crucifix there are square windows depicting the Holy Name and title of our Church.
The Burning Bush
In the Judeo-Christian Scriptures, the first time God reveals His Holy Name is when He speaks to Moses from a Burning Bush. What could be more appropriate in the Church of the Holy Name than a tabernacle depicting the Burning Bush? This bush with which Moses conversed was on fire and yet—mysteriously—it was not consumed (Exodus 3:2–15). And when Moses asked the voice to identify itself, the name which it revealed was equally mysterious, “I Am Who Am” (3:13-14). Judeo-Christian tradition has come to understand this mysterious name for God as meaning, “I am the One who always is, the Source of all existence; I always have been, I am, and always will be; and I am with you.”
An original bronze sculpture by Dale Montagne, the Tabernacle beneath the crucifix is meant to reflect God’s mysterious presence in the Burning Bush. The implication is obvious: The Eucharistic presence of Christ abiding in the tabernacle continues to say, “I Am with you.” The flames contain pieces of dichroic glass which is both see-through and reflective. It reflects different colors according to the angle of light and the position of the viewer, adding liveliness and mystery to its appearance. This Tabernacle connects through the wall to the altar in the Sacred Heart Chapel, so that the main church and the smaller chapel share the same symbol of God’s abiding presence. The windows on either side of the sanctuary contain small pieces of fire-colored glass to show their connection to the Burning Bush Tabernacle. The mysterious One present in the fire is revealing himself more clearly in the person of Jesus who claimed the title “I Am …”
