JP II Development History
History of the Catholic Church in Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County
Since July, 1873 the Catholic Community of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County was able to receive abundant spiritual guidance from missionaries who passed through this beautiful valley.
St. Edwards Catholic Church was built in 1893. The church was administered at that time by priests from Conejos and San Luis.
Theatine Fathers came to Durango in 1906 and gradually assumed pastoral work covering most of the San Juan mountain area. These priests were mainly from Italy and Spain. The Theatines expanded their work and missions were established. They included St. James the Apostle (1908) in Trujillo, St. Frances (1908) in Frances, St. John the Baptist (1911) in Pagosa Junction and Chromo Mission (1922) in Chromo. Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish was dedicated in May 1949. At that time the parish served as a mission of Sacred Heart in Durango and Mass was celebrated once a month. Father Bernard Rotger was designated as the permanent pastor and full-time resident from 1951 to 1963.
Father Rotger returned in 1966 and remained at IHM until September 1976, when Father John Bowe replaced Father Rotger. 50 years ago the Catholic Church, through the inspiration of Father Bernard Rotger and a few church members, intervened in the lives of several families who would have been homeless due to shortage of affordable housing in Pagosa Springs. Therefore, following the state laws, the Catholic Church incorporated the Archuleta Housing Cooperation in 1971 with an office in the space that serves right now as the restrooms in IHM parish hall.
Father John served the Catholic Community in Pagosa Springs and its missions until 1989. Father John temporarily left IHM to become Provincial Supervisor of the Northern American Theatines. He returned to Pagosa Springs in October 1991 where he served as pastor until 2004.
Father Carlos Alvarez served as our pastor from 2004 to 2010. He was given the task of presenting a 50-year growth plan to the Bishop of Pueblo. Following numerous interviews and forums, a plan was designed for a new church on South Pagosa Blvd. with 11,000 square feet. The new church was consecrated as Pope John Paul II on March 24, 2009 and includes the church, narthex and kitchen.
Father Don Malin served as our pastor from 2010 to 2014, followed Father Kenny Udumka who served as our pastor from 2014 to 2020. During Father Kenny’s tenure, he supervised the construction of a 4,200 square foot addition to the Pope John Paul II Church. The building includes six multi-purpose rooms, the St. Patrick’s Chapel and a food pantry.
Father Samuel Auta joined us as our new pastor in February 2021.