Published on March 24, 2026
Followers of the Roman Catholic faith did not have far to go to worship in early twentieth-century Superior. Located at the northwest corner of Coal Creek Drive and Fourth Avenue, St. Benedict’s Church was dedicated in 1916 and served local faithful for nearly 50 years. Technically, the church was an outreach of the Sacred Heart of Mary congregation on South Boulder Road. Priests and nuns on staff at Sacred Heart would come to Superior and provide services such as regular masses, catechism classes, weddings, and funerals.
Area Catholic residents wanted to bring a church to Superior and their hopes were realized when Benedictine officials gave the okay to do so. Since prohibition of the sale and consumption of alcohol took effect in Colorado in 1916, a recently closed saloon was selected to be the house of worship. The Kerr family had their watering hole moved a short distance to the 4th Avenue location where two lots had been purchased by the Church, and renovations followed.
The acquisition and overhaul of the church was a study in local cooperation as Catholic residents of varying backgrounds(Serbians, Croatians, Italians, Germans, and Irish)helped bring it to reality. One man in particular, George Summers, set to work on transforming the saloon into a solemn place.
Brick veneer was added to the wooden exterior walls and a bell tower constructed. The card room was transformed into a sanctuary, and the bar room became the church body. Some of the furnishings for the new building came from a decommissioned church in Pueblo.
The demand for coal dropped after World War II resulting in the closing of the Industrial Mine south of Superior. That led to many people moving away from Superior and the church’s decision to close St. Benedict’s by the 1960s. The contents of the building were donated to other congregations in the state. The shuttering of the church ended the saga of transition from saloon to sanctuary in Superior.
April 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Road)
In recognition of Superior’s founding in 1896, the Historical Commission has planned a“Superior 130” themed program for this spring. We invite you to join us for an insightful panel discussion of three community members with deep roots in Superior’s past.
May 2 from 2-3:30 p.m. Grasso Park (100 E. William St.)
The walk starts at Grasso Park and makes stops at two key historical spots: the old railroad depotsite and the Industrial Mine and Mine Camp. Visitors will stand on the site of the original mine shaft, where miners once went 265 feet underground to extract coal, and view the remnants of the miners’ simple homes.
Participants should prepare for a walk of at least 2 miles and wear appropriate shoes and clothing for varying terrain and weather. Be sure to bring your own hydration for the journey!
Written by Larry Dorsey, Susan Stanish and Jennifer Garner.
For more information about the Historical Commission and its activities, contact Commission Liaison Jennifer “JG” Garner at 303-499-3675, ext. 167, Commission Co-Chair Larry Dorsey at 303-499-1969, or just click the following “Historical Commission Info” button.