About Us

Our History

Westminster Presbyterian Church has a long history. In the 1890’s, a prominent New Yorker, Henry Mayhem, visualized the concept of a university atop Crown Point, Colorado. Seeking financial help from the Presbytery of Denver and even from Maxey Tabor, son of Horace Tabor, the “Princeton of the West” was conceived and named Westminster University.

The school struggled for several years during World War I and eventually closed its doors in 1917; however, the University School of Law and School of Medicine still held classes there for several years. The people, mostly Presbyterians, and many of whom were members of the faculty at Westminster University, met on August 14, 1892, in a school building near the University to sign a charter establishing the University Presbyterian Church of the Denver Presbytery. This marked the beginning of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Read: Westminster Presbyterian Church racks up 125 years

The mission of Westminster Presbyterian Church is to “Make Disciples by Celebrating the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Those in our Community.”

We see our future as a truly welcoming-to-all congregation. We embrace changes in our culture, music, technology, programming, and administration while holding fast to the bedrock of our beliefs as a Presbyterian Christian community. We minister and plan programs from our identified strengths; our relationships, while strong with each other, seek to reach out to the unchurched in bold, non-fearful ways. We minister with our neighbors in Westminster.

We partner with Denver Presbytery to minister with our regional and global neighbors. We dream big and take small steps, but we never stop moving. We never stop asking the question “Where is God leading us?” As revealed by one of our favorite hymns in the “favorite hymn” project, “Here I Am, Lord,” we stand in readiness to walk with God as we are led into our future. It is a journey never meant to be finished.  

“In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth praying, ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.” — From “A Brief Statement of Faith”

Click here to read the entire Statement of Faith: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/what-we-believe/brief-statement-of-faith/

The General Assembly “affirms its conviction that neither the Church as the body of Christ, nor Christians as individuals, can be neutral or indifferent toward evil in the world; affirms its responsibility to speak on social and moral issues for the encouragement and instruction of the Church and its members, seeking earnestly both to know the mind of Christ and to speak always in humility and love; reminds the churches that their duty is not only to encourage and train their members in daily obedience to God’s will, but corporately to reveal God’s grace in places of suffering and need, to resist the forces that tyrannize, and to support the forces that restore the dignity of all men as the children of God, for only so is the gospel most fully proclaimed; . . .” (1958 Statement – PC(USA), p. 537).

Click here to read more about what we, as Presbyterians, believe about a variety of social and moral issues:

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/what-we-believe/social-issues/

Music is a very important part of our worship service. The Chancel choir sings responses and anthems during special worship services including Advent and Lent. Our organist not only accompanies the choir, but plays hymns, responses, preludes and postludes on both the organ and our baby grand piano. We are blessed by the musical talent in our congregation who also share their talents.

Our Staff

Denise Shannon
Denise ShannonPastor
Rev. Denise Shannon is a native of Denver, Colorado, and a compassionate pastor, spiritual director, and leader dedicated to nurturing spiritual growth through discovery, creativity, and authentic connection. At the heart of her ministry is a deep commitment to honoring the spirituality present in every person. She believes that all individuals—regardless of religious affiliation, non-religious identity, or philosophical belief—are on a meaningful journey of spiritual discovery and growth. Denise walks alongside others with love, compassion, and a non-judgmental presence, creating space for curiosity, healing, and hope.

Pastor Denise began her professional life as a registered nurse and brings that grounding in care and presence into every aspect of her ministry. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology, along with certificates in Biblical Studies and Organizational Leadership. She is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a Certified Spiritual Director, a Hospice Chaplain, and a certified SoulCollage® facilitator. She is also the Founder and CEO of Sassy Preacher Lady Ministries, where she offers spiritual direction, workshops, and creative spiritual practices.

With over 30 years of experience in hospice and end-of-life care, Denise has particular expertise in advanced care planning and compassionate accompaniment during life’s most tender seasons. She currently serves as Co-Moderator of the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN), advocating for meaningful ministry with and alongside older adults.

Denise has been married to her husband Jerry since 1997. She is the proud mother of three adult children and a delighted grandmother of two. Outside of ministry, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, hiking, reading, crafting, and cooking.

Teresa Dancewicz Helmers
Teresa Dancewicz HelmersAccompanist
Teresa is a pianist and organist originally from New Hampshire. She studied music with a concentration in piano performance at Clark University in Worcester, MA. She began her organ studies in August of 2022. In addition to her role as a church musician, she teaches piano lessons in the Denver area.
Don Goodman
Don GoodmanWPC Admin/Facilities Manager
Responsible for the everyday overall operation of the Church as well as the upkeep of the facility and grounds.
Ed Boyle
Ed BoyleCustodian/Facilities Maintenance
Ed is responsible for Custodial and Facility Maintenance Duties.