Ysleta Mission
Ysleta Mission | |
 East side of mission as of July 2009 | |
  Ysleta Mission  Ysleta Mission | |
| Location | 131 South Zaragoza Rd, El Paso, Texas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°41′27″N 106°19′38″W / 31.69083°N 106.32722°W |
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1682 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001360[1] |
| RTHL No. | 15485 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | July 31, 1972 |
| Designated RTHL | 1962 |
The Ysleta Mission, located in the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo within the municipality of El Paso, Texas, is recognized as the oldest continuously operated parish in the State of Texas. The Ysleta community is also recognized as the oldest in Texas and claims to have the oldest continuously cultivated plot of land in the United States.[2][3][4][5]
Early history
In 1680, as a result of the
Over the next two centuries the mission was relocated several times due to flooding of the Rio Grande. In 1829 one such flood washed away the structure. The flood also resulted in the river cutting a new course further south and the area where the church had been located was no longer considered a part of Mexico but of the Republic of Texas.[8] In 1897 the structure was remodeled and the now familiar gables and bee-hive bell tower were added. A fire in 1907, caused by chemicals stored in the bell tower to repel bats, resulted in massive damage to the building. The church was rebuilt in 1908 and remains much the same today. The church prospered and in 1918 Our Lady of Mount Carmel School was established and remained open until 2005 when the church closed it.[7] The Texas Historical Commission erected historical markers at the Ysleta Mission in the following years: 1936 – First mission and pueblo in Texas,[9] 1962 – Site of first mission in Texas,[2] and 1970 – Oldest mission in Texas.[3] On July 31, 1972, the Ysleta Mission was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[10]
The mission today
In 1990 members of the community began efforts to restore and preserve the Ysleta and
The Tigua people continue to be closely associated with the church and remain loyal to their patron saint, Saint Anthony of Padua.[12] The Tigua feast day of San Antonio is observed on June 13, with a morning mass followed by traditional dancing. Directly adjacent to the church, the Tiguas built a large gaming center called Speaking Rock Casino; however, after a few years the state government of Texas successfully challenged its legality and it was subsequently closed down. It was later reopened but no longer offered casino style gaming. The Tigua Tribal Government offices are located a short distance from the church as is the Tigua Cultural Center.
The church is currently owned by the
Timeline
- 1680 – Spanish settlers and Tigua (Tiwa) Indians are driven from northern Antonio de Otermin, representing the crown of Spain, established the Ysleta Mission (Ysleta del Sur Mission) for the refugees.[6]
- 1682 – A permanent structure for the Ysleta Mission was established. In October the building is formally dedicated and named La Misión de Corpus Christi de San Antonio de la Ysleta del Sur in honor of the Tigua's patron saint, Saint Anthony (San Antonio) by the Bishop of Tucson, Arizona.
- 1691 – Governor Diego de Vargas gives the first official land grant for the church to Father Joaquin de Hinojosa.[6]
- 1693 – The church was renamed Corpus Christi de los Tiguas de Ysleta by Governor Diego de Vargas under the authority of King Charles II of Spain.[6]
- 1740s, 1829 – Flooding of the Rio Grande damaged/destroyed the mission.[11]
- 1874 – The first formal property deed for the church was granted to Bishop Salpointe of Tucson. This deed outlined the boundaries of the church's property and remain the same today. French clergy petitioned the Bishop of Tucson to change the church's name to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.[6]
- 1881-1891,1894-1990 – The church was administered by Jesuits from Mexico Province, Mexico City, Mexico.[13]
- 1907 – Fire caused massive damage to the church structure. It was rebuilt the following year.[6]
- 1919–1921 – Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (México-Cuba Province, El Paso, Texas and United States Province, Los Angeles, California) established and staffed Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (Tiwa).[13]
- 1922–1980s – Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word from the New Orleans, Louisiana, province staffed the school.[13]
- 1980s–2005 – Lay teachers and Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word staffed the school.[13]
- 1990–1992 – The church became a parish and was administered by diocesan priests.[13]
- 1992–present –Conventual Franciscans from Our Lady of Consolation Province, Mount St. Francis, Indiana, administer Our Lady of Mount Carmel.[13]
Photo gallery
May 1936
-
Front (north) view -
Rear (south) view -
Northwest view -
High Altar
July 2009
-
Interior of Church from front door. The altar is straight ahead. -
Historic markers. -
High Altar. -
Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine -
All Saints Chapel.
See also
- Hueco Tanks
- Socorro Mission
- Mission Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
- Town of Ysleta, El Paso, Texas
- National Register of Historic Places listings in El Paso County, Texas
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in El Paso County
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b "Texas Historical Commission-Mission in Texas, Site of First Ysleta Marker No. 4786" Retrieved 27 March 2010
- ^ a b "Texas Historical Commission-Oldest Mission in Texas-Historical Marker No. 3843" Retrieved 27 March 2010
- ^ Martin, William (April 1982). "A Flourishing Bride of Christ". Texas Monthly. Mediatext Communications Corporation. pp. 190–194. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ Haskin, Frederic (May 7, 1940). "Answers to Questions". The Southeast Missourian. Rust Communications. p. 4. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "Library of Congress, Historic American Building Survey record for Ysleta Mission" Retrieved 27 March 2010
- ^ a b c d "Ysleta Mission Organization". Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ a b Tellez, Alfonso, The Mission Trail, A Springboard for Heritage Tourism (PDF), retrieved March 27, 2010
- ^ "Texas Historical Commission-First Mission and Pueblo in Texas" Retrieved 28 March 2010
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places entry for Ysleta Mission". Archived from the original on February 20, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "El Paso Mission Trail – City of El Paso Government". Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-7627-4879-2.
- ^ a b c d e f "Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and School" (PDF). Guide to Catholic-Related Records in the West about Native Americans. Marquette University. 2006. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
External links
Media related to Ysleta Mission at Wikimedia Commons
