Reverend Jan Mucha, St. Joseph's Polish Church in Globeville

 

Father Jan Mucha first came to St. Joseph's Polish Church in 1970 while visiting relatives in the United States. Parishioners liked the young Polish priest and asked him to stay. Mucha accepted their invitation, assisting the pastor, Father Fraczkowski, and assuming the pastorate in January, 1974, after the death of Fraczkowski. 

Under Father Mucha's pastorate, the parish embraced its Polish traditions - the Saturday blessing of Easter baskets, and the Corpus Christi procession through the Globeville neighborhood. Masses were celebrated in both English and Polish. Father Mucha completed a full restoration of the church in time for the parish’s 75th anniversary in 1977 and presided over the 100th anniversary of the parish in 2002. After the fall of Communism, Father Mucha welcomed a new generation of Poles, who brought traditions like the Krakowiacy Polish dancers, Polish food festivals and language lessons in the school.

Father Mucha seemed to exude joy - he genuinely enjoyed his calling, his parishioners and his small parish in an urban neighborhood. In July 2010, Father Mucha retired to Mullen Home where he remained until his passing on March 21st, 2018. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 27th, at 1:00 pm, followed by a Rosary at 2:00 pm at Mullen Home, 3629 W. 29th Avenue, Denver 80211.

Visitation, also on Tuesday, March 27th,5:00 pm, followed by a Rosary at 6:00 pm at St. Joseph's Polish Church, 517 E 46th Avenue, Denver 80216. Funeral Mass Wednesday, March 28th, 10:00 am at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Burial at Mt Olivet.
Sign the condolence book at www.CFCSColorado.org     

Fences and gates in Globeville

Globeville has been around for more than a century and a walk through the neighborhood is almost like viewing an archaeological site: remnants of every stage of its development are still visible. Before the 1880s, the prairie north of Denver was grassland, sparsely settled by American-born farmers and homesteaders. With the arrival of the railroads, three large smelters, factories, foundries, brickyards and meat packers, the area evolved into an industrial town populated by immigrants. The newcomers built what they could afford on tiny lots, often using railroad lumber purchased from the Burlington shops. Property was hard to come by in the old country and the settlers from eastern Europe and Russia took great pride in owning a home.
Once the house was built, owners would build a fence to keep livestock out and the children in the yard. Many of those iron fences and gates remain - sturdy reminders of those proud pioneers.

 

Beautiful ironwork, flagstone sidewalks
Photo ® Mary Lou Egan

 

A heritage rose hugs and old fence
Photo ® Mary Lou Egan

Richter Iron Works, a foundry at 32nd and Blake
Photo ® Mary Lou Egan