Nearly three miles east of Ysleta is the Socorro Mission. The Piro Indians, no longer identifiable as an ethnic group, built the church. Many of their descendants still reside in the small community of Socorro which now has its own Socorro school district . The residents of Socorro take great pride in their beautiful church. Originally built in 1682, Socorro Mission was painstakingly restored on its present location after a ravaging flood.
Legend surrounds the statue located to the left of the altar.
The ox-cart transporting the statue from Mexico to New Mexico mysteriously mired in front of the church. No matter how many oxen were hitched to the cart, it would not move. The parishioners deduced that destiny intended the statue to remain at Socorro and commandeered it. The church yard, east of the building, is an interesting and unique burial ground. Special interest should be paid to the resting places.