Journey into the present past on this guided tour with Nuevo Mexico Profundo, a nonprofit organization founded to preserve New Mexico’s historic churches. The self-drive itinerary visits the St. Joseph Apache Mission in Mescalero, the St. Patrick Mission, and Santo Niño de Atocha Mission churches in Three Rivers, NM.
The self-drive itinerary first visits the expansive stone St. Joseph Apache Misson or “Apache Cathedral” which houses the sacred Apache Christ icon. After a picnic lunch (please bring your own meal) the tour regroups on the far side of the reservation, at Three Rivers, and drives partially on dirt roads to the rarely seen St. Patrick Church, built of local stone around 1929. En route, there is a stop at Santo Niño de Atocha chapel, where votive offerings are plentiful.
The tour is guided by Frank Graziano (author of HISTORIC CHURCHES OF NEW MEXICO TODAY) and one of the restoration principals, Harry Vasile.
This is a self-drive tour. Participants can carpool as feasible. If you are coming from a distance, lodging, and meals are on your own in Ruidoso or Alamogordo or at the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero.
On Sunday morning, we meet at 11:30 to see the expansive stone “Apache Cathedral” and the Apache Christ icon housed there. (Mass begins at 10:30; anyone wishing to attend is welcome.) The church underwent a comprehensive restoration that began in 2000, and today St. Joseph Apache Mission is among the most outstanding historic religious structures in New Mexico.
After lunch (on your own; we will provide suggestions), the tour regroups on the far side of the reservation, in Three Rivers, and drive partially on dirt roads to the rarely seen St. Patrick, built of local stone around 1929. En route, is a stop at a Santo Niño de Atocha chapel, where votive offerings are plentiful.
The tour is guided by Frank Graziano, author of HISTORIC CHURCHES OF NEW MEXICO TODAY, and by one of the restoration principals, Harry Vasile, a former Franciscan who has lived on the reservation for decades.
Diverse meal and lodging options are available in Ruidoso and at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort in Mescalero. A visit after the tour to the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is highly recommended.
Ticket revenue benefits St. Joseph Apache Mission.
Date: Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. (Mass begins at 10:30; anyone wishing to attend is welcome.) Price: $50 per person. Tickets: https://www.nuevo-mexico-profundo.com/events/st-joseph-apache-mission-mescalero-3
Event Host Website: https://www.nuevo-mexico-profundo.com/