"For more than two years I struggled along with what good material I found and got the financial condition in order, and in 1897 Bishop Matz sent me to Colorado City, a village between Colorado Springs and Manitou, but not incorporated with Colorado Springs. Father Bender had built a small church there, but it never was entirely finished or furnished. Father Nis had charge of it for a time, but it was now being served from Manitou and had a congregation of about thirty families. I was given some additional territory from the west end of Colorado Springs, and set about paying off a debt of $500 and completing the church. Pews were put in, a gallery built, a permanent altar set up and the interior plainly but appropriately decorated. A residence was needed and provided and a hall built for social and dramatic gatherings and I had a very comfortable home and a growing parish where I hoped to spend the rest of my days. It was all clear of debt also."

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