Here is the church, here is the steeple...

From Preservation Texas comes this image: the construction of an adobe church in Ft. Stockton, TX c. 1890.

Church at Shafter

The lovely church in Shafter (on Hwy 67 between Marfa and Presidio) was the setting for the opening scene of the 1971 Michael Crichton story, the Andromeda Strain.  Watch the trailer here.

Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, in Shafter

The beautiful church of Shafter, seen from Hwy 67 on the road from Marfa to Presidio.

Ysleta Mission--made of adobe, clay, straw and Spanish vigas

Ysleta Mission, established 1680, is the oldest continuously active parish in the state of Texas, and the community of Ysleta is the oldest in Texas, dating back to 1682.  The Rio Grande flooded in 1744 and again in 1829, and the current mission building was built in 1851.  Today it is one of the jewels of the Rio Grande, a beautiful and proud landmark in the Mission Valley of El Paso.

Read more about the Mission Valley here. 
Want a guided tour?  Click here for more information!

Video Week Continues: A brief look at Shafter's Church

Just off Hwy 67 between Marfa and Presidio, is the historic mining town of Shafter.  And here is a view of their very beautiful church, nestled in the mountains.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

A plaque next to this Alpine grotto reads, "This grotto is dedicated to OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE by the parishoners of this church as a token of their devotion and as a hopeful prayer for the conversion of Russia, October 16, 1949.

The grotto appears to be made with the same native stone you find all over Alpine, including on the campus of Sul Ross State University.

To find the grotto, cross the railroad tracks by the train station and head up the hill. It is next to the Queen of Peace church, which overlooks the city.

Shafter Ghost Town Church

Head down Hwy 67 from Marfa to Presidio and you'll see a small sign for "Shafter Ghost Town." Do yourself a favor, and turn off the highway here. The first building you'll see is this church. Behind the church is an actively maintained garden and grotto. Travel slowly on the dirt road past the small stream to the cemetery and the Shafter museum, which chronicles the history of this small mining community

Grotto in Presidio

Church in Fort Hancock

Give yourself a break from the interstate--take the Fort Hancock exit on I-10 and head south. Before long, you'll see this lovely church.