First Mass

San Gabriel de Yunque-Ouinge (San Juan Bautista, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo), New Mexico

September 8, 1598

LocationSan Gabriel de Yunque-Ouinge (San Juan Bautista, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo)
State/TerritoryNew Mexico
CountyRio Arriba
Modern DioceseArchdiocese of Santa Fe
Historical DioceseUnorganized
DateSeptember 8, 1598
PriestFray Alonso Martínez and Fray Cristóbal de Salazar
Religious OrderOrder of Friars Minor (Franciscans)
RiteRoman (Latin) Rite
ExpeditionJuan de Oñate's New Mexico colonizing expedition
Confidenceconfirmed

Photos

Six churches have stood on the land where mass was first said. This one was built in 1912-1913
Six churches have stood on the land where mass was first said. This one was built in 1912-1913

Documentation

Notes

Oñate's expedition (the same expedition behind the already-published April 30, 1598 crossing-ceremony entry near San Elizario, TX) reached the Rio Grande pueblos and founded the first Spanish colonial capital, San Gabriel, adjacent to San Juan Pueblo (Ohkay Owingeh). Construction of the first church began Aug 23, 1598, was dedicated to San Miguel about 15 days later, and the first Mass was said there on Sept 8, 1598: Fray Alonso Martínez (the expedition's Franciscan father commissary, leading ten friars) blessed the church and consecrated the altar and chalices, and Fray Cristóbal de Salazar (Oñate's cousin, serving as his personal chaplain) said the homily.

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