Bishop Machebeuf selected this tract for Colorado's first permanent church, where a jacal (picket) church was built and later replaced by a larger one. Colorado's first parish was erected 100 years ago with Our Lady of Guadalupe as patron by John B. Lamy, first bishop of Santa Fe, and Father Montaño was the first pastor. The finished church was dedicated by Bishop Lamy on Dec. 12, 1863, was under the Jesuit Fathers from 1871 to 1920, and since 1920 has been under the Theatine Fathers. Fire destroyed the church on Ash Wednesday, 1926. John Henry Tihen, third bishop of Denver, dedicated a new church on Dec. 12, 1927. In 1948 the church was enlarged and embellished with its towers by the Rev. Michael Pascual, C.R., pastor, and the Most Rev. Joseph C. Willging, first bishop of Pueblo, dedicated an addition to the church on Aug. 7, 1948.