OUR MISSION STATEMENT

We, the people of God, members of St. Dominic Parish guided by the teachings of the Holy Roman Catholic Church reaffirm our commitment to be a truly Eucharistic Community; nurtured by the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ. United in Christ, we are dedicated to ministering to one another and to all God’s children through public worship, personal prayer, stewardship, education formation and youth and social ministries.

OUR History

Nick Venetucci and his wife Bambi were givers. The joy of Nick’s life was to give. God was good to him and he shared that goodness with those around him.  Nick was also renowned for his generosity at harvest time insuring that hundreds of small children received a free pumpkin from his giant pumpkin patch. This became a Fountain Valley tradition.

In early 2002, Bishop Richard Hanifen paid a visit to Nick and Bambi and asked them to consider donating some land for a new church building. Nick’s reply was, “How much do you want? I will give you whatever you want.” The Venetucci’s donated a large parcel of land for a new church, and Bishop Michael Sheridan blessed the land on May 9, 2004. The official ground-breaking for construction was held on July 7, 2007.

Soon the two parishes of the Fountain Valley (Security – Widefield & the city of Fountain) began making preparations to become one parish, one family under the following banner, “Soli Deo Gloria” For the Glory of God Alone.

St. Joseph’s church in Fountain was established as a mission parish of St. Paul’s Church in 1936 under the leadership of Monsignor Michael Harrington.  In its  early beginnings, Msgr. Harrington held masses in people’s homes in the Fountain area.  Knowing that the community needed a home for worship, Msgr.  Harrington located the then-vacant bank building on the corner of Ohio and Main Streets.  He obtained permission from Archbishop Vehr of Denver to purchase the building, and the purchase was  completed in 1936 with the help of the Catholic Extension Society.  In later years, the expansion of the church took place through the hard work of the parishioners, the generosity of Mrs. Julie Penrose, and the efforts of many dedicated clergy.  The expansion included the relocation and refurbishment of a chapel purchased from Ft. Carson.  The Chapel was constructed on top of the basement next to the bank building.  The new worship space was dedicated in 1981.  In St. Joseph’s long history, they have continually provided for their community.  In the 1950’s, the Sisters of Loretto and the Sisters of Victory Noll provided Religious Education.  In the 1960’s, the parishioners formed a Legion of Mary chapter and the Catholic Women’s Association.  These organizations helped provide priest vestments and purchased a new organ in 1969.

In 1957, the Archdiocese of Denver established Holy Family Parish in Security and named Fr. Joseph Leberer as the first pastor.  Early masses were held at Remple Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and as houses were built in the area, masses began to be celebrated in parishioner’s homes.  Some masses were also held in the Widefield High School gymnasium.  Construction began in 1958, and Monsignor Rasby celebrated the first mass in the space designed to be the gymnasium.  The hope and plan for the future was to build a worship center alongside a school.  In 1967, the education center was completed, and in 1968, a rectory was built on the property.  The former rectory was used as a convent for the Maryknoll sisters who had formed a religious education program before the parish was established.  The main church was renovated to its present state in 1975.  In 1995, the parish opened the first adoration chapel in the diocese, the Precious Blood of Jesus Chapel, in the rectory space.  A Knights of Columbus council was established in 1958, a Court for the Catholic Daughters of America in 1959, and a Legion of Mary chapter in later years.  To this day, the members of the Legion of Mary lead the rosary before mass. 

"Let us look forward to the future.  Our new home of St. Dominic’s is a reality and will continue to grow with our families.  Let us remember the same God who has brought us this far in 25 years will continue to be present to us and will bring us rejoicing into our new home.  May God bless you and your families forever.”
Peace, Father Bill*

This information was taken from our dedication program March 16th, 2010
All historic data provided by parishioners and “I Lift My Eyes to the Mountains:  A Brief History of the Diocese of Colorado Springs”

*“Born in Denver and ordained in 1990, Carmody, known affectionately as "Father Bill," made his mark in the communities of Security, Widefield and Fountain, where he spearheaded the movement to found St. Dominic Catholic Church, the largest Catholic church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs.

To the greater Colorado Springs area and the nation, Carmody was known as the leader of the local anti-abortion movement. "For more than 25 years, he was a warrior for the unborn," said Bishop Michael Sheridan of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. "He is known nationally for his work. That is his legacy."

Eventually, when the congregations at Holy Family and Saint Joseph's outgrew their buildings, Carmody and his parishioners were tasked with finding a solution. After much prayer and deliberation, Carmody made a difficult and controversial decision: the two churches would become one. With land donated by the Venetucci family, the congregations raised money to build a new church. In 2010, Saint Dominic's became the largest Catholic church in Colorado Springs.” The Gazette, Feb 24, 2016