San Elizario Chapel - One of three historic churches on the mission trail in the El Paso, Texas area, the San Elizario Chapel's roots date back to 1789 when the Spanish military built a chapel within the walls of its military presidio in the area now known as San Elizario, Texas. The chapel was later destroyed by flood in 1829 and a replacement structure was built that lasted until 1877 when the larger, present structure was built to accommodate the needs of the growing community. While technically not a "mission," as religious conversion of Native Americans was not the intended purpose of this facility, the Chapel shares the Spanish colonial architecture and history common to other missions found in the southwestern United States.
UTEP Miner Pickaxe
El Paso, Texas
