Attractions - The Mission Trail; Go Back In Time

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception at Socorro of the South

The recently restored Socorro Mission is the oldest active Roman Catholic parish in North America. It was completed in 1873 and features rustic, Indian-decorated vigas (ceiling beams) and an original statue of St. Michael.

Mission Corpus Christi de La Ysleta

Also referred to as Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Mission del San Antonio, the Tigua Pueblo’s mission was a sanctuary for Spanish and Tigua refugees. The silver dome bell tower was completed 30 years after the present structure’s completion in 1851. The nearby Tigua Indian Cultural Center offers bread-baking demonstrations and native dances regularly.

Presidio Chapel San Elceario (San Elizario)

The chapel at San Elizario is not actually a mission, but a military chapel. Completed in 1877, its patriotic roots are evident with stained glass windows bearing images of the American flag and Seal of Texas. Other points of interest are the Los Portales Museum, highlighting 400 years of border history, and the jailhouse from which outlaw Billy the Kid helped a friend escape.

Each April, the community hosts a historical conference with the "First Thanksgiving" reenactment depicting Spanish colonizer Juan de Oñate’s arrival to the Pass of the North in 1598.

The three original missions were at some point lost to flood, fire or war, but they are still active parishes. Feast day celebrations are held annually, and thousands of glowing luminarias line the trail during the Advent posadas.

For guided or group tour information, call the Mission Trail Association: (915) 422-1700.

Points of Interest

Tigua Indian Cultural Center
305 Ya Ya Lane at Socorro Road on the Ysleta Pueblo.
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free.
(915) 859-7913

Los Portales Museum and Information Center
1521 San Elizario Road (on the plaza)
Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
(915) 851-1682

Getting There

The Mission Trail is 15 miles from downtown El Paso. Take Interstate 10 east from downtown and turn right at Zaragosa Road. Follow the signs to Socorro Road. All three missions are accessible from Socorro Road.