TITLE: Honoring the San Elizario Presidio Chapel as one of the cultural treasures of El Paso County.

SUMMARY: Honoring the San Elizario Presidio Chapel as one of the cultural treasures of El Paso County.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, With a unique history spanning more than 100 years, the San Elizario Presidio Chapel is one of El Paso County's cultural treasures; and WHEREAS, Named for Saint Elzear, the San Elizario Presidio was established in 1789 to provide protection for the settlements of Ysleta and Socorro and to host an Apache colony; the presidio was abandoned during the Mexican War of Independence, and by the mid-1800s, the fort stood in ruins; and WHEREAS, The current chapel, built on the town plaza in 1882, is perhaps the fourth such structure to have been erected on or near this site; an imposing presence, with white plastered walls and strong buttresses that catch the sunlight, the chapel is considered a prime example of the late adobe church architecture found in West Texas and New Mexico; the interior of the building underwent extensive restoration following a fire that broke out in 1935, and the back wall was later repainted to honor soldiers from the town who had fought in the Second World War; and WHEREAS, The residents of the State of Texas are heirs to an extraordinarily rich heritage, and the San Elizario Presidio Chapel serves as an important reminder of this legacy; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby honor the San Elizario Presidio Chapel and extend to all those associated with the church sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the San Elizario Presidio Chapel as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Gonz lez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2383 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House