For 80 years, the Chapel on the Rock in Colorado — located at Camp St. Malo — has endured against all odds, surviving both fire and flood to remain perched atop its sacred rock just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. With the majestic Mount Meeker as its backdrop, Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock in Colorado is renowned for its elaborate stonework and dramatic setting which makes it one of the most unique chapels both in the state and beyond.

John Carrel/Flickr
In 1916, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti was on a quest to locate the impact site from a falling star, when he happened upon a large rock formation on the outskirts of the Rocky Mountains. Bosetti was immediately reminded of the scripture Matthew 16:18, which reads: "Upon this rock, I'll build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Patrick McKay/Flickr
Bosetti was very moved and envisioned a church rising from this magnificent rock. In 1936, his dream became a reality upon the completion of the St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, affectionately known as the Chapel on the Rock, designed by Denver architect Jacques Benedict.
John Carrel/Flickr
The land on which the chapel stands was generously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo to the Archdiocese of Denver and served as a youth camp until the late 1980s. It evolved and expanded to become the St. Malo Religious Retreat and Conference Center in 1987.
Net/Flickr
Today visitors continue to flock to this spectacular historic chapel in Denver, which seems to grow effortlessly from the bedrock, reaching ever heavenward.
DaggieW/Flickr
Although the view of the Denver Chapel on the Rock from a distance is remarkably stunning, a closer examination reveals intricate stonework that is awe-inspiring all on its own.
John Carrel/Flickr
While the exterior is particularly striking, the interior is just as magnificent and contains impressive statues lovingly carved in Bolzano, Italy, at the Giacomo-Mussner studios.
Max and Dee Bernt/Flickr
In 1993, Pope St. John Paul II prayed and blessed the Chapel of the Rock on his visit to Colorado for World Youth Day. The Pope hiked along the trails at Camp St. Malo, which was later named the John Paul II Trail in his honor.
Tim Jones/Flickr
The Chapel also contains beautiful stained glass designed and manufactured by Franz Mayer & Co. based in Munich, Germany.
Chris Gebhardt/Flickr
Sadly, in 2011 the 60,000-square-foot conference center behind the church was burned to the ground in a devastating fire; however, the Chapel of the Rock remained unscathed. Another disaster struck in 2013 when 100-year rains produced flooding and a five-mile-long landslide that began atop Mount Meeker and ended at the foot of the chapel.
Bryce Bradford/Flickr
The surrounding landscape including the historic Pope John Paul II Trail was destroyed, but the chapel was once again miraculously spared and continues to stand proud and tall as a beacon beckoning passersby.
Mr. Jason Hayes/Flickr
The Archdiocese of Denver has plans to restore Camp St. Malo to its former glory, but they could use your help. Please donate to the cause if you feel inclined to help preserve the rich heritage and history of this sacred site.
Bo Insogna/Flickr
"Upon this rock, I'll build my church..."

Visit the fascinating Chapel on the Rock in Denver, Colorado in this video from Shiloh Documentary Films:

Have you ever visited this famous Denver landmark? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experiences in the comments section. For a fun weekend getaway in Allenspark, CO, stay at this cozy cabin on five acres of beautiful land near Mount Meeker.

If you love Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock in Colorado, you’ll also want to see these 10 churches in Denver that will leave you absolutely speechless!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

Chapel on the rock in Colorado

Beth C. | September 08, 2020

What are the most beautiful churches in Colorado?

Some of the most beautiful churches in Colorado include:

 

As you can tell by our article covering the Chapel on the Rock in Colorado, the Centennial State is home to some seriously impressive architecture. If you're fascinated by churches, there are several that you should plan on visiting. These include the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, St. John's Cathedral in Denver, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Trinidad, Shove Memorial Chapel in Colorado Springs, and Zion's German Lutheran Church in Trinidad.

What are the most famous buildings in Colorado?

Some of the most famous buildings in Colorado include:

 

If you consider yourself to be a fan of architecture, then you won't be disappointed by Colorado's offerings. There are tons of noteworthy buildings that you'll want to visit, and many of them can be toured inside. Any of the following famous buildings in Colorado could impress just about anyone: the Denver International Airport, the Denver Art Museum, the Stanley Hotel, the Molly Brown House, Cherokee Ranch & Castle, the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, Hotel Colorado, the Boulderado, Rosemont Museum, Redstone Castle, and the Hotel de Paris Museum.

Are there any castles in Colorado?

Some modern-day castles in Colorado include:

 

Colorado may not have castles in the traditional sense -- meaning they weren't built hundreds upon hundreds of years ago -- but you'll be impressed to discover the modern-day answer to castles in Colorado. Some of these fascinating buildings you'll want to check out include Dunafon Castle in Idledale, Cherokee Ranch & Castle in Sedalia, Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs, Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun in Colorado Springs, Bishop Castle in Rye, and Cano's Castle in Antonito. Curious to learn more about these places? We've curated a road trip that will take you to the most beautiful castles in Colorado. It's time to start exploring!

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock, 10758 CO-7, Allenspark, CO 80510, USA