Presidio Chapel of San Elizario facts for kids
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Presidio Chapel of San Elizario
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The front of the chapel
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 Presidio Chapel of San Elizario
Location in Texas
Presidio Chapel of San Elizario
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1556 San Elizario Street, San Elizario, Texas |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1877 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001358 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 14, 1972 |
The Presidio Chapel of San Elizario (which means La Capilla de San Elcear in Spanish) is a historic church. It was built in 1877 in the town of San Elizario, Texas. This town is about 17.5 miles southeast of El Paso, Texas. The chapel stands where an older Mexican church used to be. It is a great example of the Spanish Colonial style of building. In 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site.
History of the Chapel
The chapel was built to serve the religious needs of a presidio. A presidio was like a military fort or outpost. Soldiers lived there to protect people. This presidio was moved to San Elizario in 1790. Its job was to keep travelers and settlers safe. They traveled along the Camino Real, which means "Royal Highway." This important road went from Mexico City all the way to Santa Fe. The presidio also helped protect nearby missions in Ysleta and Socorro.
When Mexico became independent from Spain in 1821, fewer soldiers were at the presidio. In 1829, a big flood from the Rio Grande river destroyed the chapel. A new chapel was built to replace the one that was lost.
During the Mexican–American War, the United States took control of San Elizario. Soldiers from California were stationed at the presidio. They made sure the area stayed under U.S. control. After 1850, American troops continued to be stationed there. By the 1870s, the old chapel was not big enough. So, the current building was finished in 1877. The bell-tower was added later. The outside of the chapel has not changed much since then. In 1935, a fire badly damaged the chapel. But it was rebuilt again.
Chapel's Design and Style
The Presidio Chapel of San Elizario is a good example of adobe architecture. Adobe is a building material made from earth and organic materials. It was very common in West Texas. The chapel's design also shows European influences on the Spanish Colonial style. It has walls made of plastered adobe. These walls are painted white.
See also
In Spanish: Presidio de San Elizario para niños
