The Mission of Corpus Christi de la Isleta del Sur (Ysleta del Sur Mission) is Texas' oldest mission. Mexico Governor Antonio de Otermin representing Spain and Fray Francisco de Ayeta established it in 1682. It is not known where the mission was first located but one reliable source places it about 3 1/2 leagues (9 miles) from the Guadalupe Mission. In 1691, governor Diego de Vargas, in the name of King Charles II of Spain, gave the mission its official name: Corpus Christi de los Tiguas de Ysleta.

In 1774, a new church was built with part of the walls of the present church belonging to that old structure. During the eighteenth century, many travelers went through the valley and left descriptions of the beautiful gardens and fruit trees of the Ysleta Mission and the El Paso Valley.

The nineteenth century was one of great change for the mission. As a result of the shifting of the Rio Grande river and the signing of the treaty that ended the war between the U.S. and Mexico, Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario were placed in American territory and became subject to rule by the bishop. Franciscans, who had been tending to the spiritual needs of the people there, were replaced by Jesuits and in 1874, Our Lady of Mount Carmel was named the patroness of the mission in place of Saint Anthony.

In May 1902, the Mission suffered the last of a series of disasters. Having survived the Rio Grande's floods and other crises, the building burned. Chemicals that were used to rid the belfry of bats caught fire, consuming a large part of the mission. Although many priceless objects and religious paintings were lost, some remnants of the walls did remain. So, against the advice of his superiors, Rev. Juan Cordova had the mission rebuilt. In 1982, the Ysleta Mission observed its 300th birthday.

print-version