Anam Chara Home - Denver

Pros

• The Althea Center is beautiful and historical.
• The building is architecturally beautiful with wonderful vibes.
• It is a great place to feed the spirit and explore bigger questions.
• The center sits in a beautiful 100-year-old building with a warm, friendly welcome.
• The community is diverse and spirited, and Rev. Christina is genuine.
• The center is welcoming to families and inclusive, with LGBTQ-friendly attitudes.
• It feels open-minded and not dogmatic.
• The building is a treasure, decorated beautifully for the holidays and great for life and friendships.
• The venue is lovely, with gong baths that attendees love.
• The main hall and stage contribute to a stunning historic building.
• It is true to its name - a place of healing.
• The experience is friendly with great music and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Jonathan and the team are inclusive and provide healing, thoughtful energy.
• The community is a fantastic, loving kind of action.

Cons

• They felt the Althea Center had become unwelcoming to dogs and cats, effectively excluding Bastet Naturewalker and others like her.
• They stated that board members had thrown away three years of community, prompting their decision to seek or start another spiritual center.
• They described ongoing drama at the center and were relieved to be free from it.
• They criticized the lack of ethnic diversity and that parking was completely unattainable.
• They complained that emails were not answered, indicating poor communication.

Review

The Althea Center for Engagement in Denver has emerged in many voices as a place where spiritual curiosity and community vitality meet in a building with real character. Across a broad spectrum of experiences, visitors consistently describe it as a beautiful, historically rich space that invites reflection, music, and connection. Several reviewers emphasize that the center feels like a civic and spiritual landmark - a 100-year-old building whose architectural charm and intimate main hall create a welcoming atmosphere for all who step inside.

Numerous comments celebrate the physical setting. Attendees note that the building is architecturally beautiful, with a singularly wonderful vibe that seems to hum with history and potential. The interior is described as a gem you could drive by for years and not realize its magic, and many recount the sense of awe that accompanies events in the main hall or on the stage. The space is repeatedly praised for its warmth, its holiday decor, and the sense of "old character" paired with a lively, modern energy. Whether it's a quiet moment during a gong bath or a bustling community luncheon, the building consistently earns admiration for its beauty and presence.

The center's philosophy and worship style are described as open and inclusive, anchored in a non-denominational, metaphysical framework. Several reviewers point to Divine Science as a guiding influence - "there is only one power and one presence and it is God the Good" - and emphasize that the center welcomes people from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds. Comments such as "There's something for everyone at Althea" and "nice for services - open minded - doesn't shove religion down your throat" capture the sense that the center aims to be a spacious place for growth rather than a hard-edged doctrine. The community is frequently described as laid-back, modern, and welcoming to LGBTQ individuals and other diverse groups, with references to inclusive language and practices.

Music, lectures, and workshops are central to the Althea experience for many attendees. The venue is known for high-quality musical offerings, from masterful musicians and inspiring sermons to gong baths featuring performers like Gregg Wilkins and guest singers such as Laura Webber. Reviewers speak of uplifting services, beautiful and healing energy, and a calendar full of events that span holistic, Buddhist, Native American, feminist, and queer perspectives. The center is frequently praised for its ability to host both intimate gatherings and larger Sunday events, including breakfasts and lunches after services that help knit the community together.

Community, accessibility, and a sense of belonging emerge as powerful themes in the feedback. People talk about feeling at home, seen, and accepted - "I feel my heart and my home at Althea," one reviewer writes, while another highlights the minister's personal attention and availability, noting that a pastor spent considerable time speaking with someone who was not local or a member. The center's programming often blends spiritual reflection with practical fellowship: Sunday lunches, regular classes, and workshops create opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute to the broader Denver area. A number of testimonials emphasize the center's role as a welcoming space that nurtures friendships and a shared sense of purpose.

Yet the reviews also reflect friction and concern. A few voices describe tension or dissatisfaction tied to governance and policy - most notably, a negative note about a policy that attendees have felt excluded dogs and cats from the space, alongside a broader sense that "three years of community was thrown away by the board members." The social climate at times is described as dramatic or evolving, with one reviewer noting that "this place has gotten no better either," and others mentioning logistical challenges such as limited parking and occasional communication gaps, including emails not being answered. Diverse opinions about diversity and demographics surface as well, with one reviewer remarking on a perceived lack of ethnic diversity, while others counter that the community is evolving - "predominantly older white females" but trending toward younger, more gender-fluid participation.

Despite the tensions and logistics concerns, the overall impression remains one of reverence for what Althea Center has offered to many people over the years. It is celebrated as a sanctuary of healing, a place where the architecture, the energy of the space, and the inclusive ethos combine to create an environment where people can explore their path, feel accepted, and participate in a lively program of spiritual and cultural activities. For many, Althea is "simply amazing" - warm, welcoming, genuine, and not so huge that you get lost in the crowd. In this light, the center endures as a beloved historic venue - an urban oasis with a powerful mix of beauty, music, community, and openness - and a beacon for those seeking a flexible, compassionate approach to spirituality and everyday life in Denver.

Located in the heart of Denver, Colorado, this neighborhood offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle down. With proximity to several healthcare facilities such as Denver Health and Children's Medical Center, residents can easily access quality medical care. Additionally, there are plenty of pharmacies nearby for medication needs. For recreation and relaxation, beautiful parks like City Park and Cheesman Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities and enjoying nature. The area also boasts a variety of dining options ranging from casual eateries to upscale restaurants, ensuring that residents have plenty of choices for meals. Furthermore, cultural attractions like theaters and places of worship are within reach, offering social and spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded living experience for seniors seeking a vibrant community with easy access to essential services.

Physicians

• Denver Health: Gipson Eastside Family Health Center (1 miles)
• Children's Medical Center (1.4 miles)
• Center For Hearing, Speech, & Language (2.2 miles)
• Rose Medical Center Medical Libr (2.4 miles)
• Orthopedic Associates (2.4 miles)
• Highlands Integrative Pediatrics (2.7 miles)
• Colorado Kids Pediatrics (3.1 miles)

Transportation

• RTD Rail - 38th & Blake Station (1 miles)
• United Airlines Flight Training Center (3.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Spark Dispensary (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)

Parks

• City Park (1.1 miles)
• Benedict Fountain Park (1.5 miles)
• Cheesman Park (2.3 miles)
• Confluence Park (2.6 miles)
• Rocky Mountain Lake Park (3.9 miles)
• Washington Park (4.2 miles)
• Bonnie Brae Ellipse Park (4.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Gold Point (1.1 miles)
• Finn's Manor (1.2 miles)
• Federales (1.2 miles)
• Our Mutual Friend Malt & Brew (1.3 miles)
• Larimer Lounge (1.3 miles)
• Bierstadt Lagerhaus (1.3 miles)
• Uchi (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Improper City (1.1 miles)
• Crema Coffee House (1.2 miles)
• Huckleberry Roasters (2.7 miles)
• Aviano Coffee (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• The Radiator (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)

Hospitals

• National Jewish Health (1.8 miles)
• Webb Center for Primary Care (3 miles)
• Cherry Creek Eye Center (4.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• St John's Cathedral (1.9 miles)
• Wat Buddhawararam (4.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal UA Denver Pavilions 4DX & RPX (2.1 miles)
• Amc 9+Co 1 (2.5 miles)