On October 17, 2018, Sacred Heart Church in Colorado Springs was awarded the Civil/Civic Rehabilitation and Restoration Award from the Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs. The Annual Historic Preservation Awards, presented by the Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs (HPA), is a local competition recognizing outstanding rehabilitation/restoration, compatible new construction, stewardship and heritage projects in the greater Colorado Springs community. Established in 2002, the awards in eight categories honor property owners and professionals for their dedication to historic preservation. The criteria for judging is generally guided by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The judges are asked to use their experience, knowledge of preservation and judgment to evaluate each entry on the merits of their efforts to celebrate the historic qualities of their projects.
Sacred Heart Church, located in old Colorado City, underwent a top-to-bottom restoration program in anticipation of the next one hundred years of service. Originally built in 1922, the Spanish Mission-style Church’s rehabilitation marks the first phase of a 20-year master plan for the parish campus at 21st Street and Colorado Ave. in Colorado Springs. Nunn Construction lead the general contracting and Taylor Architecture and Design provided design services for the 7,206 sq.ft. interior and exterior restoration.
The exterior of the building was resurfaced in new stucco and a handicap access ramp was added at the front entry. In addition to upgrading mechanical and electrical systems, interior improvements included as much re-use of the original materials as possible. The unique wood-slat ceiling was restored and the existing pews were reclaimed to make new confessionals. A local woodworker and parishioner, Jeffery Keating, was commissioned to create all of the custom woodwork in the church including: the front doors, pews, baptismal and alter. The campus remained active during construction, with services being held in the adjacent building’s gymnasium.
To read more about the project, visit the Sacred Heart Church project page on our website.
