El Paso Texas Mission Trail

Our drive from Roswell NM to El Paso TX was highlighted by a stop in Alamogordo NM to visit the World’s Largest Pistachio. So once we reached El Paso we were excited to see what that historic area had to offer. The El Paso Texas Mission Trail was perfect for our first day of exploration.

El Paso Texas Mission Trail

Learning about the Missions and Pueblos certainly gave us insight into life in this border town.

Pueblo of Ysleta del Sur

We started our journey along The Trail with a drive through the Pueblo of Ysleta del Sur (corn village). This neighborhood, which is home to the Tigua Indians, was established in 1682. From what we observed the homes in this pueblo were modern ranch style homes that you would find in most any part of the country. The landscaping was full of cactus and many homes were decorated for Christmas (we were there in December). Sadly the photos we took driving through the pueblo were way too out of focus to salvage!

Mission Ysleta

While in Ysleta del Sur we visited our first church, the Ysleta Mission, which is considered the first and oldest mission established in the State of Texas and the second oldest continually active parish in the entire United States.

In 1680, the founders Reverend Fray Francisco Ayeta and New Mexico governor Don Antonio Otermin established temporary camps for Spanish refugees and Tigua Indians who were fleeing from the New Mexico pueblos. During that same year, Father Juan de Zavaleta celebrated the area’s first Catholic mass. A temporary church was built on the location that was made of cottonwood branches and adobe mud.

Two  years later, in 1682, the Tigua Indians established and built a permanent mission from adobe and Bishop Salpointe, of Tucson, dedicated the building in October 1682.

Throughout its historical existence, the building has been threatened by storms and natural disasters and yet the original structure has evolved. The original building was washed away in the devastating flood of 1740 but a new structure replaced it between 1740-1744. In 1844, the building was victim to yet another flood. Another church was constructed on higher ground in 1851. Its original rectangular shape was modified with the addition of the distinct beehive bell tower in 1897. Unfortunately in May 1907 a tragic fire destroyed the roof and bell tower.  The mission’s thick adobe walls and shiny silver dome survived the fire and the parishioners immediately went to work and repaired the damages within a year.  The silver dome roof of the Ysleta Mission has become a continual reminder of the community’s strength and faith.

Mission Socorro

Exactly one day after establishing the beginning of Ysleta, Rev. Ayeta and New Mexico Governor Otermin traveled further southeast to establish communities for the Spaniards and the Piro, Tano and Jemez Indian refugees.  That was the beginning of the Socorro community, which is considered the second oldest community in Texas.

Mission Socorro itself was completed in 1691 and holds the honor of being the second oldest Mission in Texas. It was the town’s first permanent adobe church but the same natural disasters that tormented the Ysleta mission destroyed the Socorro mission. The current structure, built in 1843, showcases both Indian and Spanish design as well as Spanish Mission architecture. The carved cottonwood and cypress support beams, also known as vigas, were salvaged from the first mission and date back to 1691. Over the years, additions such as the bell tower, larger transept and sanctuary were added.

In 1838, Saint Michael was chosen as protector of the people of Socorro. Church records state that a Holguin family donated the statue to the church. But legend says that in 1838, merchants traveling from Mexico City to Santa Fe were transporting a life-size statue of Saint Michael in an ox-cart. When they reached Socorro, the cart got stuck in the mud and the oxen refused to budge. This was taken as a sign that Saint Michael wanted Socorro to be his permanent home.  To this day, the statue of Saint Michael remains in its special location inside the Socorro Mission.

San Elizario Presidio and Chapel

In 1789, the Spanish established a presidio or military garrison, named “San Elceario”. It was named after the French patron saint of the military, San Elcear. The presidio was established to defend the Spanish frontier against foreign powers and Indian raids. In order to do this they built an officers quarters, barracks, a chapel and other buildings protected by thick adobe walls within the presidio.

In 1829, a flood destroyed the chapel and a new building was erected in the 1840’s. This building eventually become too small so the present day church was built between 1877 and 1887 to accommodate the growing population.

In 1935, an electrical fire caused smoke damage to the church. The church was repainted and the distinctive pressed tin ceiling was added. After World World II, the community repainted the back wall of the chapel with a memorial in order to honor the town’s veterans.

To this day, the presidio chapel continues to be an active church as well as the distinctive focal point in the San Elizario Historic District.

There are so many wonderful places to visit along the El Paso Texas Mission Trail in addition to churches. Some of our most memorable moments of our full time RV journey have happened when we feel like we’re just a couple locals. Enjoying those quirky shops, delicious neighborhood restaurants and surprising experiences always makes the trip unforgettable.