Denver

The heart of the Rocky Mountains, Denver has been home to Loretto members since before Colorado became a state. We continue to build on our mission of education and service to people in need.

Home » Denver

2025 Mayor’s Design Awards Nominees

By Loretto Community / April 17, 2025 /

Posted by Denver.gov April 2025 Loretto is delighted to share that the Pancratia Hall Lofts project was voted the winner in the “Affordability – Existing Buildings” category for the 2025…

St. Mary’s Academy celebrates 160 years

By Regina Drey SL / March 10, 2025 /

Smiling elementary and high school students gather together outdoors in summer

When the 699 students of St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) gathered for the school’s 160th birthday party in September, it was a joy-filled, high-energy celebration from drone cameras capturing students forming…

Loretto legacy remains vibrant: Historic Loretto Heights building secures major EPA grant for community center transformation

By Loretto Community / January 15, 2025 /

Collage of archival photos of the Loretto Heights College buildings and campus

Loretto is proud to celebrate the EPA awarding a grant of more than $20 million to COMMÚN in support of the work to save and re-develop Machebeuf Hall, part of the…

Loretto in Colorado: Carrying out our mission of education since 1864

By Loretto Community / November 18, 2024 /

Bird's eye view of St. Mary's Academy with the "160" spelled out by the student body on the soccer field. The Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains are visible in the background.

From its beginning in 1812 in Kentucky, Loretto expanded its mission of education quickly. Santa Fe, N.M., saw the opening of Our Lady of Light Academy in 1852. Three Sisters…

Loretto celebrates International Day of Peace with Pinwheels for Peace

By Loretto Community / September 23, 2024 /

An elementary student sits on the ground amongst pinwheels. A teacher stands behind her and a sign that reads "PINWHEELS FOR PEACE." The o in "for" is a peace sign.

Three Loretto schools – Loretto Academy, El Paso, Texas.; Nerinx Hall High School, St. Louis; and St. Mary’s Academy, Denver – collaborated on making Pinwheels for Peace in anticipation of…

Celebrating Havern & Escuela de Guadalupe: two beloved Denver schools Loretto has long supported

By Loretto Community / August 19, 2024 /

A school staff member walks down the hallway hand in hand with a child wearing a backpack.

To celebrate the long legacy of Loretto education, and in keeping with Back To School Week for many students, we wish to acknowledge the wonderful work being accomplished at Havern…

Lunch and laughter for Loretto Leaders and Loretto Community members

By Regina Drey SL / March 1, 2024 /

A large group picture of a wide variety of ages sitting and standing together for a group picture indoors. They are wearing name tags.

A delightful lunch in January was a much-anticipated opportunity for the fourth- and fifth-grade Loretto Leaders at St. Mary’s Academy in Denver to enjoy the company of 10 sisters and…

Immigration justice

By Christina Manweller / February 20, 2024 /

A black and white photo of somebody in a hoodie, shorts and sneakers back to the camera, putting their hands on the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked…

Loretto pioneers of education in the West

By Loretto Community / February 20, 2024 /

Sepia toned photo of a college building surrounded by trees. A Celtic cross graces the building's tower.

Loretto Heights College The bodies of 62 Sisters of Loretto who had been buried in the cemetery at Loretto Heights College in Denver were moved to a new resting place…

New ‘Pan Hall’ residents share their favorite Loretto connections

By Mary Nelle Gage SL / January 22, 2024 /

An historic, large brick building is profiled against the evening sky, lights twinkling brightly.

The Sisters of Loretto founded Loretto Heights College (LHC) in 1891 in Denver. As Loretto Heights College expanded, Pancratia Hall was built in 1930 by renowned Denver architect Henry Edbrooke…

St. Mary’s Academy welcomes new president

By Loretto Community / December 1, 2023 /

A woman, Iswari Nararajan, with straight brown hair, wearing a ceremonial black robe and yellow stole speaking passionately at a microphone on a wooden lectern with a dark blue banner with white text that says: St. Mary's Academy in front of large dark blue curtains.

A new future for Loretto Heights

By Riedy Clark CoL / November 1, 2023 /

A red stone building featuring a tall tower above the arched entrance. The tower and entrance are framed by two large spruce trees that are only half as tall as the tower.

During the Loretto Heights reunion weekend in June, alumni were able to spend time on the campus. There were tours of Pancratia apartments and the Administration Building. We had lunch…

Your support makes all the difference

Donate today

Loretto welcomes you

Learn more or plan a visit to the Motherhouse!

Get in touch

The Loretto Community consists of the congregation of the Sisters of Loretto and Loretto Co-members. The congregation of the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross was founded in rural Kentucky in 1812. Today, our Sisters and Co-members continue to live out the Loretto Community’s mission to “work for justice and act for peace because the Gospel urges us.” In the United States and throughout the world, Loretto Community members serve in many fields, including education, healthcare, elder care, environmental stewardship and advocacy.