The Kirk of Highland in Denver is a historic former church turned event venue in the LoHi/Highland neighborhood. Best known for its striking Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, it pairs stained glass, a richly textured stone façade and a skyline-facing patio with the flexibility needed for modern weddings, receptions, concerts and private events. The result is a setting that feels both distinctly Denver and removed from the standard ballroom experience.
This season, you can also catch an intimate Candlelight concert bathed in the glow of thousands of twinkling candles at the Kirk. It’s an atmospheric way to experience live string performances, with tributes spanning artists such as Michael Jackson, Metallica and Mozart.
What makes Kirk of Highland so special?
Denver’s Kirk of Highland shows how a landmark church can take on a new life without losing the character that made it special. Originally built as the Asbury United Methodist Episcopal Church and designed by Kidder & Humphries, the 1894 building has been adapted into an event venue while retaining its Richardsonian Romanesque presence: think round arches, rugged rusticated stonework, stained glass and deep, stone-trimmed openings.
The Kirk’s history also includes a remarkable musical centerpiece: its large Anderson & Silsbee pipe organ, built in Denver in 1875. The instrument was originally associated with Temple Emanuel before Asbury Methodist Church purchased it in 1911; it is widely described as the oldest organ in the Midwest.
What can you do at the Kirk of Highland?
The Kirk is designed to be flexible for weddings and private events. Its three main rental spaces include the historic auditorium, with 288 original seats; a 4,000-square-foot open gallery that can be styled for dining and dancing; and a 2,800-square-foot flagstone patio garden with market lights, a working fountain, and views of Denver’s skyline.
The Candlelight concert series continues to bring The Kirk of Highland to life, turning its historic sanctuary into an intimate, candlelit setting for live classical reinterpretations. This season’s program ranges from Adele and Metallica tributes to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, performed by string ensembles amid the venue’s stained glass and period architecture. It is a striking way to hear familiar songs—or timeless classical works—in a setting that feels far removed from a standard concert hall.
Candlelight is bringing its signature glow to the Kirk of Highland as well as a selection of other remarkable venues across Denver. Each concert offers a memorable way to enjoy live music while taking in some of the city’s most impressive architecture—and with tributes spanning a wide range of genres and artists, there is a performance to suit virtually every music taste.
