The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1917-05-18

~ EFORE jamestown was found
- ed, before Puritans began their
conquest Of New England for
the sake Of their religious free
dom, century and half earlier than
their wonderful story was begun in
California, the Franciscans had en-
tered upon their work for the CONVEX
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 peace
loving, town-building people, so that
1t is not strange that progress among
them was rapid, even though martyr
dom was the lot of many of the earli-
est missionaries AS monuments to
this first Christian work on this cGnti-
nent there are standing today nearly
thirty old churches, which are unques-
tiOnably the most interesting group of
buildings in America, from an antigua
rian and tourist standpoint. Yet they
are practically unknown to the mass
Of travellers, even of the more intelli-
SSII IIttiSI "lIlSS JSSSIc
Strong in the Los Angeles Times.
The chain of missions established by
the FranCiscanS, under the leadership
Of Padre ITunipero Sierra, along the mis-
sion highway from San Diego to San
Francisco, are justly revered and visit
cd annually by many thousands OF tour
lists
These little-known missions of New
Mexico surpass their famous sisters on
Mt least three cOunts-the New Mexico
missions are from $50 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-
sons have become merely interesting
historical landmarks.
The missions of New Mexico are cas-
lily accessible. The Ocean-to- Ocean
highway, over which motorists pass in
constantly increasing numbers, goes
directly through many of the towns
and 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
Fe.
In Old Santa Fe
The tourist to the western coast will
be we'll repaid for the short side trip
from the main line of the Santa Fee
railway required to visit the quaint old
city of Santa Fee. No other town in the
United States can look back upon a
history SO varied. No other town is so
quaint in its composite of medieval an
cestry and modern utility.
1t was primarily as missionaries to
the Indians that the Franciscans &C
cOmpanied the Spanish conquerOrs. :
And it Is the little church built in the
Indian Quarter of Santa Fe, as mis-
sion to them, that today claims the dis
tinctien Of being the oldest place of
worship in the United States. Old San
Miguel was built in 1906. In the Pueblo
rebelliori 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 nec-
eSsary to make it again fit for use
when the recOnqueSt of New Mexico |
was accomplished by De Vargas in
1893.
These tepairs were only temporary. |
Under tie next governor the rebuild |
;,,,r II, IN
scription carved on massive timber |
which supports the gallery, bears wit !
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 Do |
ming0. plainly visible from the train, |
is the pretty Indian village of San Fee
lipa, with its trim, Well-cared-for mis- |
sion church, erected early in the eigh- |
teenth Gentry, exact date unknown. 1t |
has always been served by clergy sta
toned at the more pOpulous Santo Do |
mingO. 1t is interesting to know that |
the followers of st. Francis. who |
founded and served all these missions |
until expelled in 1923 by the Mexican |
government, have recently resumed |
charge of all the missions in this part |
OF New Mexico
Albuquerque was the third town es-
tablished by the Spanish in New Mex
leo. Its church, beautiful San Felipe |
de Neri, was from the first parish |
church for the Spanish settlers them
selves. never mission. But it was !
built at the same period as the restora-
ton of the mission churches after the |
Pueblo rebellion, having been erected |
in 1706.
Mission of Isleta.
From AIhuO1IprOup tEn Indian VILLAGE /