Sunday, September 18
th, we call our “Mission Sunday.”
We started with mass at Isleta Pueblo Mission Church, St. Augustine.
This simple adobe church was originally built in 1612 and is one of the oldest mission churches in the United States.
Although the original church was destroyed during the Pueblo Indian Revolt of 1680, it was rebuilt in 1716 on the foundation of the old church and has been in use ever since.
Renovations were completed within the last couple weeks and the smell of fresh varnish was still evident.
The lower walls are over seven feet thick and the wood ceiling beams and door frame are thought to be from the 1716 rebuild.
Unfortunately, much of the art work and old statues disappeared over the years; the few remaining pieces have been removed and are held in the church museum in Santa Fe.
After mass, we set out for the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument which includes the remnants of three ancient Indian villages where Spanish Franciscan friars started missions nearly 400 years ago.
These pueblos were major trade centers for centuries prior to the arrival of Spanish explorers.
Salt taken from nearby dry salt lakes was an important commodity traded between Pueblo and Plains Indians – so important that Spanish government officials called the entire region the “Salinas Jurisdiction.”
Our first stop was at the Abo Ruins where construction of the original “San Gregorio de Abo” was begun in 1622 and finished in 1651.
After a stop at the National Park Visitor Center in Mountainair, we drove 25 miles south to the Gran Quivira ruins, the largest of the Salinas pueblos.
The original mission church here was fairly small and only the foundation stones remain.
The second and larger church was started in 1659 but was never completed as Apache raids had begun.
The Quarai ruins are 8 miles north of Mountainair and are smaller than the other two sites.
All three pueblos were abandoned between 1672 and 1680 due to drought and famine.
Today the massive ruins with their towering sandstone walls and the few remaining immense wood beams impress visitors.
Sunday, September 18th, we call our “Mission Sunday.” We started with mass at Isleta Pueblo Mission Church, St. Augustine. This simple adobe church was originally built in 1612 and is one of the oldest mission churches in the United States. Although the original church was destroyed during the Pueblo Indian Revolt of 1680, it was rebuilt in 1716 on the foundation of the old church and has been in use ever since. Renovations were completed within the last couple weeks and the smell of fresh varnish was still evident. The lower walls are over seven feet thick and the wood ceiling beams and door frame are thought to be from the 1716 rebuild. Unfortunately, much of the art work and old statues disappeared over the years; the few remaining pieces have been removed and are held in the church museum in Santa Fe. 
After mass, we set out for the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument which includes the remnants of three ancient Indian villages where Spanish Franciscan friars started missions nearly 400 years ago. These pueblos were major trade centers for centuries prior to the arrival of Spanish explorers. Salt taken from nearby dry salt lakes was an important commodity traded between Pueblo and Plains Indians – so important that Spanish government officials called the entire region the “Salinas Jurisdiction.” Our first stop was at the Abo Ruins where construction of the original “San Gregorio de Abo” was begun in 1622 and finished in 1651. After a stop at the National Park Visitor Center in Mountainair, we drove 25 miles south to the Gran Quivira ruins, the largest of the Salinas pueblos. The original mission church here was fairly small and only the foundation stones remain. The second and larger church was started in 1659 but was never completed as Apache raids had begun. 
The Quarai ruins are 8 miles north of Mountainair and are smaller than the other two sites. All three pueblos were abandoned between 1672 and 1680 due to drought and famine. Today the massive ruins with their towering sandstone walls and the few remaining immense wood beams impress visitors.
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