The iconic "Chapel on the Rock" in the early morning light.

Saint Malo’s Chapel on the Rock in Allenspark, Colorado is a nearly 100-year-old functioning Catholic church built atop a riveting rock formation. It is operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver and remains an important fixture in Colorado history.

The Chapel was first conceived in 1916 by Monsignor Joseph Bosetti, who happened across the rocky area where the church would later be built and was inspired by Matthew 16:19, which states, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Monsignor Bosetti did just that, though lack of money delayed construction.

After 20 years of struggles, the land was donated to the monsignor by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo, after whom the Chapel was named. Construction finished in 1936, and in 1999 Boulder County officially designated it a historical landmark.

The Chapel on the Rock is located at Camp St. Malo. And the chapel’s official name is St. Catherine of Siena Chapel.

In 2011, the 60,000 square foot St. Malo conference and retreat center behind the church was burned to the ground in a fire, but thankfully the Chapel on the Rock survived untouched. Then in 2013, the 100 year rains produced massive flooding and created a devastating 5.0 mile landslide. The mud and rocks slid ferociously down Mount Meeker to the foot of the chapel, destroying the land and the historic Pope John Paul II Trail, but once again sparing the church.