Oldest Mission in Texas

The river and fire have both reshaped this church over the centuries. Ysleta's mission stood south of the Rio Grande when it was founded, and the shifting channel later moved it. The present church was built in 1851, and its silver-domed bell tower was added in 1897. Jesuits took charge in 1881 and named it for Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Fire badly damaged the building in 1907, and it was soon repaired. The Tigua still call the church San Antonio.

What the plaque says

Oldest Mission in Texas Originally founded in 1613 at Isleta Pueblo, in New Mexico, and dedicated in 1621 as San Antonio de Isleta. Removed to El Paso area, 1680 (during Pueblo Revolt), by Tigua Indians who brought along the patron saint as they accompanied fleeing Spaniards. Re-established here in 1682, it has been named successively: Sacramento de Los Tiguas de Ysleta; Corpus Christi de Los Tiguas de Ysleta (1691); San Antonio de Los Tiguas de Ysleta (1744); and Nuestra Senora Del Carmen (1874). Present chapel has walls and bells of 1744 building. Still ministers to the Tiguas. (1970)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Ysleta Mission (Corpus Christi de la Ysleta del Sur) — steps away
  The Tigua mission church at Ysleta, rebuilt in 1908 around the walls, bell and Santo Entierro that came through fire, its interior painted with rain clouds and corn.
• Tigua Indian Cultural Center, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo — 0.8 mi
  The cultural center of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, the Tigua nation that has lived in the Mission Valley of El Paso since 1682 and keeps its own history here.
• Socorro Mission (Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion del Socorro) — 2.6 mi
  Socorro's adobe church on the El Paso Mission Trail, with walls five feet thick, carved vigas from an older church and a statue of Saint Michael said to have chosen the town.
• San Elizario Historic District — 8.0 mi
  A plaza of adobe buildings at the end of the El Paso Mission Trail: an 1877 chapel, Gregorio Garcia's portaled house and the old county jail of Billy the Kid legend.

More markers nearby

• Corpus Christi de la Ysleta — steps away
• Alderete-Candelaria House — steps away
• San Antonio de Senecu — 1.5 mi
• Captain Frank Jones — 1.5 mi