The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-06-15

OAE JHmC6IOWu WIS IOUOOs
~ ed, before Puritans began their
conquest of New England for
the sake Of their religious free
dom, a 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 q peace
loving, BODYBUILDING 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 conti-
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 intelll-
gent Glass; 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 $50 10 200 years
older than those of California their
history il 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-
sions have become merely interesting
historical landmarks.
The missions of New Mexico are cas-
lily accessible. The Ocean-to-Oc
highway, over which motorists pass In
constantly increasing numbers, goes
| directly through many Of the towns
and villages wksre the missions are To-
Gated. while no less than four of them
may be seen from tho windows of
transcontinental trains over the Santa
Fe.
| 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 q
history SO varied. No other town is SO
QuAist In its composite Of medieval an
csstry and modern utility.
1t was primarily as missionaries to
| the lndisns that the Fran ciscans ac-
eompanied the Spanish conquerors.
| And 1t "a tho little church built liz the
Indian quarter of Santa Fe, as mis-
sfon to them, that today claims TIE dts
tinction Of being the Oldest place of
worship in the United States. Old San
Miguel was built in 1906 In the Pueblo
rebellion of 1850 the church was
burned, but, so solidly were the mas
Eve walls of stone and adobe brick
constructed. that only the woodwo
was destroyed. Small repair was nee
essay to make it again fit for use
when the rcconquest of New Mexico
Nas accomplished by De Vargas In
1898.
These repairs were only temporary
Under the next governor the rebuild.
| ty,,x ta1 tv, IL
scription carved on massive timber
which supports the gallery. bears wit
meas. 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.
mingo. plainly visible from the train
Is the pretty Indian village of San Fe
lipe, with it's trim, well-cared-for mis-
sion church, erected early in the eigh
teenth Gentry, exact date unknown. II
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. Fnncis, 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 par
of New Mexico.
Albuquerque was the third town es
tablished by the Spanish in New Mex
leo. Its church, beautiful San Felip,
de Neri, was from the first a parish
church for the Spanish settlers them
selves, never a mission. But 1t wa,
built at the same period as the restora
ton of the mission churches after tn,
Pueblo rebellion. having been erectes
In 1706.
Mission Of Isieta.
From Albuquerque the Indian villag
of Isleta is only II miles distant an,