Our Lady of Guadalupe

Nobody agrees when this parish began, and the bronze picked a day. Sources start it with a chapel of 1856, a parish of 1859 or the church Bishop Lamy dedicated in December 1863; the plaque is dated June 10, 1958, a century after a jacal of cottonwood posts was blessed here. Lafayette Head's families from Abiquiu had built the Plaza de Guadalupe beside it. In 1926 fire gutted the church at the start of Lent, leaving walls and towers, and ninety years later another fire broke out on the eve of Ash Wednesday. Firefighters caught it early.

What the plaque says

This tablet is the property of the State of Colorado D. O. M. June 10, 1958 This tract was selected by Bishop Machebeuf, for the first permanent church in Colorado. Here was built a jacal (picket) church, later replaced by a larger church. The first parish of Colorado was erected 100 years ago with Our Lady of Guadalupe as patron by John B. Lamy, first bishop of Santa Fe. Father Montaño was the first pastor. The finished church, dedicated by Bishop Lamy on Dec. 12, 1863, was under the Jesuit Fathers 1871 - 1920. Since 1920, it has been under the Theatine Fathers. Fire destroyed the church on Ash Wednesday, 1926. John Henry Tihen, third bishop of Denver, dedicated a new church Dec. 12, 1927. In 1948 this church was enlarged and embellished with its towers by the Rev. Michael Pascual, C.R., pastor. The Most Rev. Joseph C. Willging, first bishop of Pueblo, dedicated an addition to the church on Aug. 7, 1948. Placed by the State Historical Society of Colorado through the William A. Braiden Fund

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Mormon Pioneers — 7.6 mi
• Cumbres Pass — 24 mi