If health concerns or even just a busy schedule makes joining us in person a challenge, we welcome you to join us online. Every Sunday, we’ll livestream our services via Facebook Live, and welcome you to join us for an online Fellowship Hour via Zoom (password to join is CPC).

Click for Worship Bulletin

Issue with the livestream? Try visiting our Facebook page directly!

Charis Smith

Charis has attended Central since 2019 when she joined the choir, and enjoyed getting to know its wonderful members. She was promoted to soprano section leader and subsequently became a Central member with her family in 2022. That same year she was inspired to apply for the vacant positions of Music Director and Church Administrator and a unique dual position was created that allowed her to draw on her time as a professional musician and her business executive experience.

Charis has an undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from Wheaton College and a Masters Degree, also in Vocal Performance, from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She enjoyed a decade and a half of performing worldwide with memorable solo performances at Carnegie Hall, with the Colorado Symphony and at the Vatican, among many others. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and a member of Actor’s Equity Association. She is supremely grateful for the support of her husband Ryan and daughters Ahna and Liza, who humor her by singing in her choir.

Glenn Ross, Concert Manager

Glenn joined the staff at Central in 2021 with two decades of leadership in the classical arts. With a wealth of knowledge in all areas of performance and operations, Glenn brings valuable technical and administrative experience to his role at Central Presbyterian Church.

Glenn is also a musician and professional photographer, with a focus on portraiture, live music, and events. His work has taken him around the World and his imagery has been featured in esteemed publications, magazines, books, and newspapers.

Glenn holds Bachelors degrees in Business and Philosophy and is involved in various community-based organizations. He enjoys writing, helping others, learning new skills, and traveling to new places.

Molly Dowling Brown, Director of Mission & Faith Formation

Molly has been a member at Central since 2004 and joined the staff team in 2018. From 2013-2015, Molly served as the Director of Central Presbyterian Church’s Health Assistance Site which assisted Coloradans in health insurance enrollment.

Molly worked for over a decade on behalf of Federally Qualified Health Centers here in Colorado. Prior to that, she taught middle school social studies in North Carolina. Molly holds a BA in History from Davidson College (Davidson, NC). As the Director of Mission and Faith Formation, Molly believes faith is built via serving others in need in one’s community.

Molly and her husband, Adam, have 3 daughters: Caroline, Morgan, and Francee plus two canines…Murray (a goldendoodle) and Sylvester (a standard poodle).

Molly enjoys mountain and beach trips with her family, hiking, photography, water aerobics classes, dining out, and a good happy hour(s).

Louise Westfall, Pastor

Louise Westfall became Central’s senior pastor in 2011, following pastorates in Cleveland, Detroit, and Iowa. She received a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She has co-authored two Bible studies– The Face Is Familiar: Remembering Unnamed Women in Scripture, and Peacemaking in Mark: Restoring God’s Community of Men and Women. Her dissertation Listening Beyond Our Differences: Conversations about Abortion was honored with a faculty prize.

Louise believes the Church is a community of transformation and the congregations she’s served have resettled refugees, built homes with Habitat for Humanity, tutored urban school children, converted a closed church into a Boys and Girls Club, and helped enroll people in affordable health insurance. Her leadership has helped make connections between suburban and urban, Black and White congregations, and among Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Increasingly she considers the Communion cup a central symbol of faith representing God’s love poured out for all, and the Table a place where everyone is welcome.

Louise is the mother of a son, Paul, an attorney in Washington DC.

New Here?

Wonderful! We’re so excited you’re thinking about joining us.

We’ve been working for over a century to build one of the most inclusive, service-oriented spiritual homes in Denver, and we hope it’s just what you’re looking for.

What’s it like here?

In short, we offer a modern, inclusive, joyful experience, all wrapped up in a traditional service.

To learn more about us, read this welcome from our pastor, explore the FAQs below, and read over a recent sermon (or three!).

When you join us on a Sunday morning (and we hope you will!), come in the doors to the left of the patio off of Sherman Street, and take the stairs or elevator to the first floor. Grab a cup of coffee or water, use the restroom if you need (fully accessible!), and enter our historic worship space. Enjoy the music and sunlit sanctuary. You’ll be warmly greeted whether you’re here for the first or four hundredth time.

Following worship we serve refreshments in the lobby. Feel free to hang out … or not (but, again, we hope you will!).

If you’re looking to get social and spiritual, check out our community calendar to get connected to opportunities like Theology on Tap, where we talk about stuff that matters over a fine Colorado brew, or one of our many service projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Presbyterian” mean, really?

We’re a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), over 10,000 congregations throughout the nation, connected by shared commitment to loving God and one another and serving our neighbors.

Do I have to be a member to come to service on Sunday?

Nope!

Can I take Communion?

Yep! Central welcomes all to worship and to the communion Table, because Jesus does.

Do you offer services online?

We do indeed! Check out our online offerings.

What should I wear to in-person services?

Clothes. The kind that make you comfortable.

Can I bring my kids?

Sure! They are welcome in the worship space and we have quiet activities available to keep them entertained.

Seriously - what if my kids start screaming?

You’ll be met with sympathetic smiles. We’ve all been there. No one will judge. Choose a rocking chair in the box seats to soothe a child and a parent! We also have staffed childcare in a beautiful nursery close to the sanctuary, a private, quiet nursing room and changing area.

I’m LGBTQ+. Will I feel welcome? Can I bring my partner?

Yes, yes, and yes. Central has long advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and full inclusion in church and society. Our pastor will happily officiate at your wedding.

Okay. I'll come! How do I get there? Where do I park my car/bike?

We are located on the corner of 17th and Sherman St.

Central is easy to reach using public transit! Close by are light rail downtown stops, the 16th Street shuttle, and bus routes (Colfax Route 15, Broadway Route 0, 17th St and 18th St Route 20).

During Sunday services, there is free, secure parking in "Key Park" right across from the church on Sherman Street. Parking is free only on Sundays from 8:30am-1:30pm, and visitors will be ticketed at other times. Enter the lot from 16th Avenue. Bike racks are also available.

What about accessibility?

The building is fully accessible by elevator. Enter by way of the main entrance facing Sherman St. to the right of the stairs and choose level 1 for sanctuary and fully accessible restrooms.

How long are services?

We ask for 59 minutes and promise not to bore you.