Home » Features » The Denver Catholic Worker: 1978-2024

The Denver Catholic Worker: 1978-2024

Posted on October 9, 2025, by Christina Manweller

An nun cares for two young children at a Catholic Worker House.
Anna Koop SL cares for two young children at the Worker House in 2008.
Photo: Loretto Archives

For the past 46-plus years I have had the opportunity to make the Catholic Worker my life. What a gift that has been! … I have loved living in this community, loved the richness of a huge range of people in my life: people who have suffered and brought their incredibly strong spirits to share with the community, people who have come to bring their love and dedication to support our efforts at the CW. All have been amazing gifts.

Anna Koop SL
Anna is on kitchen duty at the Worker House.
Photo: Loretto Magazine, spring 1981

What we would like to do is change the world — make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe and shelter themselves as God intended for them to do.

Dorothy Day, Catholic Worker cofounder
Two elder women sittng on a couch smiling. There is a small child sitting on the lap of one of the women.
Jennifer Haines, right, and Anna Koop SL relax at the Denver Catholic Worker House with a child living at the home shortly before the Worker merged with Angelica Village.
Photo: Benjamin Dunning
A black and white photo of a young woman looking away from the camera with her hands clasped together talking.
Martha Crawley CoL lived at the Denver Catholic Worker House when this photo was taken at the home in 1980. A Sister of Loretto at the time, she is now a Co-Member.
Photo: Loretto Magazine, spring 1981
The front of a thrift store. A brick building that says "Catholic Worker Thrift Store" in big red letters.
The Denver Worker House ran a thrift store to raise funds for the mission and provide goods at reasonable prices.
Photo: Loretto Archives.
A young woman is show crafting pine coffins in a photo from the 1970s.
Anna crafts pine coffins at the Worker House in the 1970s. Photo: Loretto Archives.

To read all of the articles in the fall 2025 issue click here.

Christina Manweller

Editor of Loretto Magazine, Christina’s nonfiction and poetry has appeared in numerous publications. For many years she served as Director of Communications for a Colorado-based peace and justice organization. Her background also includes English and writing instruction at a local community college, digital and print design work, and photography. One of her joys is visiting the Loretto Motherhouse once or twice a year.

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Your support makes all the difference

Donate today
Cupola Cross 2-Icon

Loretto welcomes you

Learn more or plan a visit to the Motherhouse!

Get in touch

Contact us