Mission trail

San Elizario Presidio Chapel (presidio is a military outpost. This one was from 1684. present chapel completed 1882)

The El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road of the Interior) ran from Mexico City up to Santa Fe linking missions, communities, military forts and trade routes. In El Paso there is a 9 mile segment with 3 mission chapels on it. Angela and I went for a visit. We weren't able to go into San Elizario (very early hours) but got to walk around the area where there is lots of history...the jail that held Billy the Kid (who escaped), art shops, market etc.

Socorro (founded 1680)

The alter is made of wood but painted to look like marble (very well done). The beams above are mostly original with some of the painting still visible. There is a replica of La Pieta in the new chapel next door.
 

San Ysleta

Ysleta is one of the oldest towns in Texas. The chapel was rebuilt in 1907 after a fire.