Ysleta Mission Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Ysleta Mission
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

East side of mission as of July 2009
Ysleta Mission Location in Texas Show map of Texas Ysleta Mission Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	131 South Zaragoza Rd, El Paso, Texas
Area	2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built	1682 (1682)
Architectural style	Classical Revival, Late Victorian
NRHP reference No.	72001360
Added to NRHP	July 31, 1972

The Ysleta Mission, located in the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo within the city of El Paso, Texas, is a very special place. It's known as the oldest church parish that has been continuously active in Texas. The community around Ysleta is also the oldest in Texas. People here even say they have the oldest farmland that has been used without stopping in the entire United States.

The Historic Ysleta Mission
Photo Gallery
- May 1936
- July 2009
See also

The Historic Ysleta Mission

The Ysleta Mission has a long and fascinating history, starting over 300 years ago.

A New Home for the Tigua People

In 1680, a big event called the Pueblo Revolt happened. Because of this, the Tigua people had to leave their original home, Isleta Pueblo, in what is now New Mexico. Some Tigua families went to Arizona, while others traveled south with Spanish settlers.

They all found a new home in a place called El Paso del Norte, which is now El Paso, Texas. Here, they created the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo community. This is where the Ysleta Mission began. The name "Ysleta" with a "Y" and "del Sur" (meaning "of the South") helped tell it apart from their old home.

In 1682, the Tigua people built a strong church using adobe bricks. In October of that year, a religious leader named Bishop Salpointe officially dedicated the building. It was given a long name: La Misión de Corpus Christi de San Antonio de la Ysleta del Sur. This honored Saint Anthony, who is a very important saint for the Tigua people.

Building and Rebuilding Through the Years

Over many years, the mission church had to be moved several times. This was because the Rio Grande river would flood and change its path. In 1829, a huge flood washed away the church building. This flood also changed the river's course, making the land where the church stood part of the new Republic of Texas, instead of Mexico.

In 1897, the church was updated. It got its famous gables and a unique beehive-shaped bell tower. But in 1907, a fire caused a lot of damage. The fire started because of chemicals stored in the bell tower to keep bats away. The community quickly rebuilt the church in 1908, and it looks much the same today.

The church grew, and in 1918, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School was started. It served the community until 2005. The Texas Historical Commission has placed several markers at the Ysleta Mission. These markers celebrate it as the first mission and pueblo in Texas, and the oldest mission in the state. On July 31, 1972, the Ysleta Mission was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance.

The Mission Today: A Living Legacy

In 1990, people in the community started working to fix up and protect the Ysleta Mission. They also worked on the Socorro Mission and the Presidio Chapel in San Elizario, Texas. The city and county governments of El Paso created an office to help with heritage tourism. They received support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

This new office brought together different groups, including local governments and the Catholic Church. They all wanted to restore these important historical sites. Two expert architects from Mexico, who knew a lot about fixing adobe buildings, were hired. They created a detailed plan to restore the missions. Bishop Armando Ochoa then led efforts to raise money for this big project.

These three historic sites – the Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and San Elizario Chapel – are now part of The El Paso Mission Trail. This trail is about 9 miles long and follows Socorro Road. It's also considered part of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, an ancient royal road.

Celebrating Culture and Community

The Tigua people still have a very close connection to the Ysleta Mission church. They continue to honor their patron saint, Saint Anthony of Padua. Every year on June 13, the Tigua people celebrate San Antonio's feast day. This special day includes a morning church service and traditional dancing.

Near the church, the Tiguas built a large community center called Speaking Rock. For a while, it offered casino-style games. However, state rules led to changes in how it operated, and it no longer offers those types of games. The Tigua Tribal Government offices and the Tigua Cultural Center are also located close to the church.

Today, the Catholic Diocese of El Paso owns the church. Religious leaders called Conventual Franciscans help run it. For almost a century, the church has hosted the Ysleta Mission Festival. This fun three-day event happens on the second weekend of July. It's one of El Paso's biggest festivals, and the money raised helps maintain the mission.

In the 1960s, a newer church building was built to welcome more people. The old Ysleta Mission church is now mainly used for special events. These include weddings, quinceañeras (a special celebration for 15-year-old girls), and baptisms.

Important Moments in Ysleta Mission History

Here are some key dates in the long history of the Ysleta Mission:

1680 – The Tigua people and Spanish settlers moved south from New Mexico after the Pueblo Revolt. They settled in El Paso del Norte, where the Ysleta Mission was founded.
1682 – A permanent mission church was built. It was dedicated and named La Misión de Corpus Christi de San Antonio de la Ysleta del Sur.
1691 – Governor Diego de Vargas gave the first official land grant for the church.
1693 – The church was renamed Corpus Christi de los Tiguas de Ysleta.
1740s and 1829 – Floods from the Rio Grande river damaged or destroyed the mission buildings.
1874 – The first official property deed for the church was given. The church's name was later changed to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
1881-1891, 1894-1990 – Religious groups called Jesuits helped manage the church.
1907 – A fire badly damaged the church. It was rebuilt the next year.
1919-2005 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel School operated, first staffed by Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and later by Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and other teachers.
1990 – Community efforts began to restore the Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario missions.
1992-present – Conventual Franciscans have been administering Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
1972 – The Ysleta Mission was added to the National Register of Historic Places.