Basilica of San Albino

Basilica of San Albino

View of front from Mesilla Plaza
Basilica of San Albino
32°16′29″N 106°47′45″W / 32.27472°N 106.79583°W / 32.27472; -106.79583Coordinates: 32°16′29″N 106°47′45″W / 32.27472°N 106.79583°W / 32.27472; -106.79583
Location Mesilla, New Mexico
Country  United States
Denomination Roman Catholic
Website http://www.sanalbino.org
History
Former name(s) San Albino Church of Mesilla
Founded 1852 (1852)
Founder(s) Ramón Ortíz
Dedication Albinus of Angers
Architecture
Status Basilica
Functional status Active
Style Romanesque
Groundbreaking 1906
Completed 1908
Administration
Parish San Albino
Archdiocese Santa Fe
Diocese Las Cruces
Clergy
Pastor(s) Richard Catanach
Laity
Director of music Georgina Lavery
Religious education coordinator Julia Ruiz
RCIA coordinator Richard & Janet Hinderliter

The Basilica of San Albino, formerly known as San Albino Church of Mesilla, is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces and is located in Mesilla, New Mexico. It has the distinction of having originally been established in Mexico, but it is now located in the United States as a result of a transfer of territory in the Gadsden Purchase. The first church on the site was built in 1852; the current structure was built in 1906, and is one of the oldest churches in the region. Daily masses are held in both Spanish and English.[1][2]

Appearance

The basilica sits on the north side of the town square, and is built of fired brick, with a belfry facade on each corner. There are leaded stained glass windows depicting saints with geometric designs lining the walls of the nave. The parapet between the belfries is much like a mission style. Both the interior and the exterior walls were stripped of their plaster during a renovation and stabilization in the 1960s. A memorial to parishioners who died in combat is near the front entry.[1][2] The church is surrounded by a low stone wall.

stained glass inside Basilica of San Albino
Stained glass inside Basilica of San Albino

History

After the conclusion of the Mexican-American War in 1846, the town of Mesilla was established sometime around 1850 on the Mexican side of the newly established Mexican-American border, by refugees from former Mexican territory that had been ceded to the United States. A priest, Ramón Ortiz y Miera, was appointed to be Commissioner of Emigration to assist in resettling these Mexican citizens. The Mexican government ordered the church established in 1852 to support local residents. The settlers soon constructed a church on the south side of Mesilla's central plaza. This first building was constructed of mud and logs, and dedicated to the Breton Saint Albinus of Angers (Albino in Spanish), who was born in Vannes, France in 469.[3][4][5]

Following the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, Mesilla and portions of present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico became United States territory. At this point, the church was transferred to the diocese that is now the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The shepherd of this four-year-old diocese at this time was a Frenchman: Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy. Lamy was instrumental in the growth of a number of churches in his diocese. As part of this growth, a new San Albino church was constructed on the north side of the plaza with French architecture.[3]

In 1872, the parish became part of the Vicariate Apostolic of Arizona, under Frenchman, Rev. Jean-Baptiste Salpointe. It was during this time, in 1876, that the first bell for the church was commissioned.[3] In 1908 the current church was constructed on the same site. The church later became part of two dioceses after they were established: the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso in 1916, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces in 1982.

Plaque of designation of Minor Basilica for Church of San Albino of Mesilla, New Mexico
Plaque on Basilica of San Albino.

In 2008, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican granted minor basilica status to San Albino.

References

  1. 1 2 "La Iglesia de San Albino". National Park Service. 18 Feb 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Historic Old Mesilla". Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Basilica of San Albino". Basilica of San Albino. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  4. Hunner, John; Peter Dean; Frankie Miller; Jeffrey Schnitzer; Christopher Schurtz; Stephen Vann (2008). The Mesilla Valley: an oasis in the desert. Santa Fe, NM: Sunstone Press. pp. 15–32. ISBN 978-0-86534-627-7.
  5. "Breton St. Albino's intercession sought for many causes". Western Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 9 May 2010.

External links

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