The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-05-24

~ EFORE jamestown was found.
~ ed, before Puritans began their
conquest Of New England for
the sake OF their religious free
dom, q century and n half earlier than
their wonderful story was begun In
California, the Franciscans had en-
tered upon their work for the conver-
sion Of the finest race of aborigines in
the United States, the Pueblo Indians
Of New Mexico.
The Pueblos were already far on the
road TO civilization and were u peace
loving, town.buildlng people, SO that
II Is not strange that progress among
them was rapid, ven though martyr
dom was the lot Of many Of the earli-
est missionaries. AS monuments to
this first Christian work on this contl-
nent there are standing today nearly
thirty old churches, which are unques-
tlonably the most interesting group of
buildings In America, from nm antigua
rinn and tourist standpoint. Yet they
are practically unknown to the mass
Of travellers, even Of the more intelli-
gent class, writes Jessie Mcmillan
Strong In the Los Angeles Times.
The chain of missions established by
the Franclscans, under the leadership
Of Padre Junipero Sierra, along the mis-.
sion highway from San Diego to San
Francisco, are justly revered and visit
ed annually by many thousands Of tour
lists.
These little-known missions of New
Mexico surpass their famous sisters on
at least three counts-the New Mexico
missions are from 100 TO 200 years
older than those OF California their
history Is more varied and most OF
them are still In actual use by the de-
scendants Of the very folk for whom
they were originally founded, whereas
the environment of those of California
has changed until many Of the mis-
slons have become merely interesting
historical landmarks,
The missions of New Mexico are cas-
lily accessible. The Occnn.to.Ocean
highway, over which motorists pass In
constantly increasing numbers, goes
directly through many of the towns
md villages where the missions are To-
Gated, while no less than four OF them
may be seen from the windows Of
transcOntinental trains over the Santa
Fee.
In Old Santa Fe.
The tourist To the western coast will
be well repaid for the short side trip
from the main line Of the Santa Fe
railway required TO visit the quaint old
city of Santa Fe. No other town In the
United States can look back upon n
history so varied. No other town Is so
quaint In Its composite Of medieval an
cestry and modern utility.
II vas primarily as missionaries to
the Indians that the Franclscans nc
cOmpanled the Spanish conqucrors.
And II Is the little church built In the
Indian quarter Of Santa Fe, as n mis-
tinction Of being the oldest place OF
worship In the United States. Old SIM
Miguel was built in 1905. In the Pueblo
rebellion of 1850 the church was
burned, but, so solidly were the mas
sive walls Of stone and adobe brick
constructed, that only the woodwork
was destroyed. Small repair was nee.
essary To make IL again fit for use
when the reconquest OF New Mexico
was accomplished by De Vargas In
1893.
These repairs were only temporary.
Under the next governor the rebuild
Ing was completed In ITO, as an In
scriptiOn carved on a massive timber,
which supports the gallery. bears witt
ness. From that time the church has
been In constant use, since 1859 serv-
ing as the chapel for the Christian
Brothers college.
Twelve miles distant from Santo no
mlngo, plainly visible from the trrfa,
Is the pretty Indian village Of san Fe-
lipc, with It's trim, well-cared-for N.Y.
sion church, erected early In the eiin-
tcenth Gentry, exact date unknown. II
hi~ always been served by clergy s,n-
toned ut the more populous SantO NO
mingo. II Is interesting to know that
the followers OF St. Francis, who
founded and served all these missile ms
until expelled In 1923 by the Mexican
government, have recently resumed
charge Of all the missions In this part
Of New Mexico.
Albuquerque vas the third town es-
tabllshed by the Spanish In New Mex
leo. Its church, beautiful San Felip,
de Neri, was from the first II parish
church for the Spanish settlers them
selves, eve n mission. But 1t was
built at the same period as the restora,
ton Of the mission churches after IN,
Pueblo rebellion, having been erected
n lT00.
Mission ef lsleta.