Father Michael Kavanagh founded Our Lady of the Woods Parish in 1954 as a mission to the churches in Cripple Creek and Victor. Masses were held in the Woodland Park High School gymnasium for 17 Catholic families. In February 1954, construction on the church building began. Families from Denver, Woodland Park, and Wichita, Kan. donated the land. The original church was dedicated on Aug. 12, 1955. The community paid off the church debt in 11 years, primarily with funds raised from its popular “Christmas in August” celebration. The pastor originally had an apartment in the basement of the church. A rectory was built in 1967 and has recently been remodeled. Father Kavanagh was pastor for 14 years, and the field behind the church is named after him.
The new church was completed in August of 2014 and the first Mass was held on September 5, 2014. Bishop Michael Sheridan presided over the dedication Mass on November 21, 2014. The church was built with a mountain architectural design and doubles the sanctuary of the original church. It also has a very large gathering space as well as two confessionals. Future projects will include a new parish center, offices and classrooms.
While beginning as the mission church to Cripple Creek and Victor, today, Our Lady of the Woods in Woodland Park has grown to be the main church for the parish. Our Lady of the Woods provides all Faith Formation programs for the parish and handles all business transactions, correspondence, and communications for the parish.