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The guardian angel of Central City replaced an earlier frame church dedicated in 1861. Bishop Joseph P. Machebeuf laid the cornerstone for a larger house of God in 1872. Twenty years later it was finally finished after a struggle with Irish malcontents who wanted to call it St. Patrick's. Gothic-arched windows, a steeply pitched roof, gables, and bell tower echo the steep hillside site. Inside the 90-by-42-foot brick and granite structure, 400 worshipers could gather under the 31-foot-high stenciled ceiling. One side altar statue portrays St. Barbara, the patron saint of miners.