Jesuitica Collection

Note: Image is the cover of the Conejos House Diary, Volume III, 1880-1885.

Historical Note

             The Jesuits belong to an apostolic religious community of the Catholic Church known as the Society of Jesus. They are grounded in their love for Christ and follow the spiritual vision of their founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola, to help others and seek God in all things. The Jesuits have been involved in missionary work in 112 nations across the world. They are known for their educational, missionary, and charitable works.

In 1877, a group of Italian Jesuits established a small college in Las Vegas, New Mexico named Las Vegas College. The Jesuits taught there until 1884 when the Bishop of Denver, Bishop Machebeuf, invited the Jesuits to create a college in Morrison, Colorado. The college created in Morrison, Colorado was named the Sacred Heart College and operated for three years until John Brisben Walker, a Jesuit-educated man, gifted the Jesuits land for their institution. As a result of this gift, the Las Vegas College and the Sacred Heart College merged into one and became the College of the Sacred Heart.  This college eventually evolved into what is Regis University today.

This history, along with the history and efforts of other Jesuit missions within the Southwest United States are documented within this collection. The primary focus of this collection is that of the early Jesuit missions in New Mexico and Colorado.

Archives staff are located in DML 104.

All archives and collections are non-circulating and are accessible by appointment only. 

Patrons that have not set an appointment are not guaranteed consultation with Archives staff.

Before visiting please submit a research request via the research request form. Walk-in researchers are not guaranteed access to archival and collection materials. 

Phone: 303.964.3612 Email: archives@regis.edu.