St. Leander History

St. Leander Parish has a rich history of faith, service, and community in Pueblo, Colorado. Established in 1900, the parish takes its name from Saint Leander of Seville, a sixth-century Spanish bishop known for his dedication to the Catholic faith.

The Early Years

In 1903, parishioners began worshiping in a small chapel located in the basement of Benedictine College, a Catholic high school operated by the Benedictine Order. The chapel was dedicated on October 18, 1903, by Bishop Matz of Denver. Reverend Agatho Strittmatter, O.S.B., served as its first pastor.

As the parish grew, St. Leander purchased property near the college in 1914 and established a parish grade school. The school was operated first by the Sisters of Loretto and later by the Benedictine Sisters, providing Catholic education to generations of children. By the time it closed in 1971, enrollment had reached approximately 400 students.

The Building of St. Leander

By the early 1920s, the growing parish needed a larger place of worship. Plans for a new church began in March 1925, and construction started that June on the property where the church stands today.

Designed in the Spanish style by architect Thomas MacLaren of Colorado Springs, the church was modeled after Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Old Colorado City. Despite financial challenges, the dedication and generosity of parishioners helped bring the project to completion.

The first Mass in the present church was celebrated on March 19, 1926. The church was formally blessed on April 15, 1926, by Abbot Cyprian Bradley, O.S.B. On that day, 50 children received their First Holy Communion.

Throughout the years, parishioners contributed stained-glass windows, altars, statues, and other furnishings that helped shape the church’s distinctive character. The Kilgen pipe organ, installed in the 1940s, remains a treasured feature of the church and was fully restored in June 2025.

A Growing Parish Community

During the mid-twentieth century, St. Leander continued to grow as more families joined the parish, including many Hispanic families who settled in the surrounding neighborhood. The parish expanded its facilities with the construction of a new rectory in 1952, a parish hall in 1956, and renovations to the school. Changes were also made to the sanctuary over the years to accommodate developments in Catholic worship following the Second Vatican Council.

In 1961, St. Anne’s Church in the Eastwood Heights neighborhood was established as a mission of St. Leander. Our Lady of Guadalupe later became another mission associated with the parish.

By 1967, approximately 1,700 families were registered at St. Leander. Parish life included religious societies, youth groups, scouting programs, athletic activities, and opportunities for families to grow in faith and fellowship. Although the parish school closed in 1971 as Catholic schools across the Diocese of Pueblo underwent changes, St. Leander continued serving the spiritual needs of its community.

In 1973, the parish transitioned to a pastoral team led by Claretian priests, marking another chapter in its history of pastoral service and community life.

A Legacy of Faith

St. Leander has remained a place where generations of families gather to worship and celebrate life’s most meaningful milestones, including Baptisms, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, Quinceañeras, and Weddings. The church also served as the Diocese of Pueblo’s Shrine of the Little Flower until the present Shrine of Saint Therese Church was built.

Recognizing its historical and cultural importance, St. Leander Church and its former school were designated city landmarks and added to the Pueblo Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Its history reflects the faith, perseverance, and generosity of the many priests, religious sisters, and parishioners who have sustained the parish through times of growth and challenge.

Today, St. Leander Parish continues its mission of proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments, and welcoming individuals and families into a community rooted in Catholic faith and tradition. The legacy built over generations remains an important part of Pueblo’s history, and the parish looks forward to continuing that mission for years to come.