Introduction

The Early Years

The origins of the founder of the Pass of the North (modern-day El Paso, Texas, USA & Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico) are little known. Apparently he was born in Spain, but a recently discovered document in Mexico records his birthplace as Mexico. In Mexico City he became a lay brother and later a Franciscan priest of the Barefoot Friars of San Diego.

In 1630 he was given charge of the Piro Indian mission of Senecú near modern day Socorro, New Mexico, which had been established the previous year. He began his work among these Pueblo Indians and enhanced the mission. In that year Fray Alonso Benavides, the Custos of New Mexico, reported that the Manso Indians at the Pass of the North desired a resident missionary. The Mansos were hunting and gathering people who lived in small family bands along the Ro Grande between Presidio, Texas and the Gila River in New Mexico.

At The Pass of The North

Fray García first arrived as a missionary at the Pass of the North around 1630. Sometime later, he returned to New Mexico leaving two priests in charge of the new conversion. However, the Mansos became hostile. The missionaries, with the assistance of a Spanish military escort, fled to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In 1659, Fray García returned to The Pass determined to establish a mission at his strategic location on the Camino Real or Royal Road. The conversion included primarily the Manso Indians, some neighboring Sumas and ten Piro families who had Fray García accompanied to assist in this activity. On December 8th, with the help of the Indians, he constructed a modest church of mud and sticks which was dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Building Guadalupe Mission

In 1662, Fray García and his converts began to build a large permanent church on a small, rocky terrace that was protected from the Ro Grande's floodwaters. On April 2, the energetic padre laid the cornerstone of the church. The overhead pine beams or vigas were richly carved by Spanish artisans and Indian assistants with designs of flowers and pinecones. The pine logs probably were cut and transported over forty miles from the Organ Mountains, near present day Las Cruces, New Mexico. The distinctive floral patterns were incorporated by sculptor John Houser in the lintel beam design that the missionary holds. The beam also bears the name Our Lady of Guadalupe as well as 1659, the date of the founding of the mission and the settlement at The Pass of the North.

La Misión de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe was completed and formally dedicated on January 15, 1668 with Fray García, several religious, Fray Juan Talaban, the provincial head cleric, the Governor of New Mexico, a contingent of soldiers and thousands of Indians in attendance. The dedication was celebrated with a pyrotechnic spectacle of flaming rockets that roared across the night sky to the delight of the celebrants.

Fray García's Contributions

Fray García instructed the El Paso Indians in agriculture, irrigation, and livestock raising. He introduced viticulture with the Mission Grape. The mission at the Pass of the North was a beacon of hospitality to the tired traveler along the 600 mile arid stretch of the Camino Real between Chihuahua City and Santa Fé. The mission was known for its wine, fruit and well-stocked granaries.

Father García served as a missionary in El Paso area for twelve years. He died on January 22, 1673 at Senecú Convent in New Mexico where he was buried. He is the founding father of the twin cities of El Paso, Texas and Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua. It is fitting that the XII Travelers Memorial began with a statue commemorating El Paso's founder, whose warm hospitality has become a hallmark of the region.

Old Guadalupe Mission
A Living Legacy

Guadaupe Mission is a beautiful example of 17th century Rio Grande mission architecture. The church is the oldest and best preserved of the El Paso Valley missions. It is not a relic of the past but an active church. It is a symbol of peace and preserverance. It has withstood floods, wars and revolutions. The old mission is located in heart of Cd. Juárez, a short distance from downtown El Paso. The public is encouraged to view the Fray García monument in Pioneer Plaza in downtown El Paso (Texas) and to cross the bridge into Mexico to Cd. Juárez (Chihuahua) to visit Fray García's mission.

Research Resource

This website contains a research bibliography on Fray García for students and history buffs (see: site map).

Nicholas P. Houser, Project Historian
XII Travelers Memorial of the Southwest