Scenic Chapel on the Rock, Estes Park
by Marcy Wielfaert
Title
Scenic Chapel on the Rock, Estes Park
Artist
Marcy Wielfaert
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
While taking an afternoon drive on our last day in Estes Park, my husband and I passed this gorgeous stone church in the beautiful countryside surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park. Sitting high on a rock in the shadow of the Rockies, it was a compelling sight, so we stopped to get a few photos. The chapel was open and upon going inside, we met a cordial guide who filled us in on the history of this charming discovery. In 1916, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti came across a large rock formation just east of Rocky Mountain National Park and inspired by the Biblical phrase "upon this rock I will build my church", he envisioned a church built on the rock. His lack of funds delayed construction for nearly 20 years and he struggled with the Colorado Highway Department to keep the rock intact. Eventually, land for the church was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo and Denver architect Jacques Benedict designed the chapel, which was completed in 1936. In 1999 Boulder County designated the chapel as a historic site. Pope John Paul II prayed at the chapel during his visit to Denver for World Youth Day in 1993; he blessed the chapel afterwards. The pope later hiked in the surrounding woods and spent some time at the Saint Malo Retreat Center.
In November 2011, the Chapel on the Rock was spared from a devastating fire that destroyed a majority of the retreat center, forcing it to close its doors. We were so glad to make this unexpected discovery! During the rock slides of September 2013 the Chapel on the Rock survived, though much of the surrounding terrain was destroyed.
Uploaded
January 31st, 2020
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