Restoration Updates
Restoration Work Begins at The Kirk of Highland, Preserving a Denver Landmark for Future Generations
Denver, CO - November 5, 2024
Restorative masonry work and cleaning are set to commence at The Kirk of Highland (formerly the Asbury Methodist Church), a cherished historic landmark in Denver’s Highland neighborhood. Funded in part by a grant from the State Historic Fund, the project will help preserve this iconic building and ensure future generations can experience this beautiful example of late 19th century Richardsonian-Romanesque architecture.
Scaffolding started going up in late October, setting the stage for Denver-based Building Restoration Specialties (BRS) to begin restoring masonry on the west elevation. Working on one side at a time, the process begins by replacing deteriorated stone with natural stone or precast to match the original sandstone and rhyolite. The masonry will be cleaned and re-pointed as needed before the scaffolding is disassembled, moved, and reassembled at the next elevation. The work is expected to wrap up in August of 2025.
To ensure the building’s architectural integrity is preserved, the crew from BRS will use historically sensitive techniques. Project Manager Elizabeth Maas explains, “We have sourced a matching natural stone for replacement stone and are incorporating some custom made matching precast stones where appropriate. Our team will be cleaning the building and removing years of accumulated atmospheric staining, matching the historic mortar and profiling the joints to match the original bead tooling detail, while also hand-carving selected stones for replacement. This restoration project is delivering a much-needed facelift, and we are excited to transform this building back to its sound, bright appearance accentuating the original builder’s intent highlighting contrasting rhyolite and Manitou orange sandstone. She is going to be beautiful, shining like a bright star in Denver’s skyline for all to enjoy.”
The project was made possible by a preservation grant from the State Historic Fund awarded to Historic Denver, Inc., a local non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Denver’s historic gems.
The History of the Kirk
Originally established as a church in the 1890’s, the Kirk of Highland is the perfect space for your special event, with Sandstone brick, sweeping gables and romantic stained glass windows.
The Kirk brags of three potential rental areas: the auditorium showcases the building’s original seating, large stained glass windows and the oldest organ in the Midwest. A 2,800 sq. ft. Flagstone Patio features a cascading fountain and the scenic Denver Skyline. The 4,000 sq. ft. Open gallery space can be used for food, dancing and entertainment with additional stage space and gorgeous lighting.
Richardsonian Romanesque influences abound. Named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, the popular stylistic movement swept America in the late 1800s and can be seen in many churches and mansions around Denver. The use of strong, simple massing, rusticated stone masonry construction, stone trimmed openings and the round-headed Romanesque arches are all excellent examples of this style and all provide the sense of heavy permanence the Kirk espouses.
The interior retains much of its original integrity. The balcony, balustrade and paneled wainscoting are all Texas pine with a high luster oil finish with floors of the same species but having a hard oil finish. Gilded plaster and columns with ornamental capitals lead to high, barrel vaulted ceilings. The large pipe organ was built by Anderson and Silsbee in 1875.
Other buildings built in the style of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in the Denver area include Capital Hill Mansion, Iliff Mansion and the Central Presbyterian Church.
