For 75 years, Marycrest, the 25-acre campus of the Sisters of St. Francis, served as an oasis of peace and good works amidst the hustle and bustle of northwest Denver. The remaining Sisters continue to reside on a portion of the property with the remaining acreage currently being developed with cohousing, affordable rent apartments, market rate single family row homes, commercial structures (now open: a Starbucks), and acreage set aside for Habitat for Humanity single family homes.
The History of Marycrest
1917 Sisters of St Francis begin teaching at St Elizabeth’s School
1938 Sacred Heart province of Sisters of St Francis is created and headquartered in Denver
1938 Mother Lidwina Jacobs acquires the Willowcrest estate in northwest Denver for $25,000
1950 The Sisters acquire an adjacent Painter estate, including its mansion
1954 The convent (where I currently live) is designed by renowned Denver architect John K Monroe and constructed
1958 The Sisters open the all-girls Marycrest High School in the old Painter mansion
1966 Most sisters in history, 26, reside at Marycrest
1998 Sisters open 2 assisted living residences at Marycrest
2005 With the Sisters’ numbers dwindling, they offer the convent and surrounding land for sale
2008 Remaining Sisters leave the convent and move to Casa Chiara duplexes they had built on Marycrest property
Comments
My name is Delores Joan Keith. I graduated from Holy Rosary Mission, Pine Ridge, SD in 1964. While attending boarding school I was a member of Sodality and I visited Marycrest along with several other students. Sister Annella was our favorite of the Sisters but we loved Sister Helen, Sister Mary Leo and Mary Phillip as well. Sister Serena was a favorite as well. My twin, Doris Keith Hoitt, and I visited our alma mater a couple times since then and we really enjoyed our visit. I send you all my best wishes. Delores Keith
I don’t know who to write to but I want to know if my sister Sue Akin was registered in your school around 1960. How far back to your records go? This is very important!
My sister Sarah Sue Akin was sent by our mother Clara Akin to go to your school because she was out of control at home. She wasn’t a model student. I don’t know if I have the correct school but would appreciate some information if you have any
Hi Jenny: We do not have access to the Marycrest records. I might suggest reaching out to the Denver Archdiocese to see if they may be able to help with your search. Best of luck!