San Ignacio Church
1300 Walter St., NE, Albuquerque, NMBuilt by community effort, and a center of community life for more than sixty years, San Ignacio Church is the focal point of one of Albuquerque's most distinctive urban villages, the Hispano community of Martineztown-Santa Barbara. Founded after the coming of the railroad in 1880, Martineztown-Santa Barbara lies just to the north of the Anglo-American Huning Highlands District (National Register, 11-17-78). Located about a mile and a half from the original villa of Albuquerque, now known as Old Town, Martineztown-Santa Barbara is a cluster of small adobe houses, stores, and dance halls set along winding roads. Sandwiched between the Santa Fe Railroad tracks and modern Interstate Highway 25, the community is built on sand hills that separate the Rio Grande Valley from highlands to the east.
While a few farms may have existed in the area before the railroad's arrival, Martineztown, the southerly of the two settlements which are now generally regarded as a single neighborhood), was founded in the 1880s and centered around the Second Presbyterian Church, a Hispano-oriented mission church. As the community expanded to the north, the newer area came to be called Santa Barbara, after the large Catholic cemetery sited on its north edge. At first, Catholics in the area traveled to San Felipe Church in 01d Town or to Immaculate Conception Church in the downtown area for Mass. As the community continued to grow, the need for a mission church, attached to the old Town parish, became evident.
Sixty Years to the Greater Glory of God, an anniversary history of the church, credits much of the impetus in its building to Father Joseph Arthuis, S.J., who came to San Felipe de Neri from Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1907, and spent most of the years until his death in 1934 at the San Felipe and San Ignacio parishes. Fr. Arthuis was one in a long line of Jesuit priests in Albuquerque, and it was undoubtedly in their honor that both the old cemetery where the church was built and the church itself was dedicated to San Ignacio de Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order.
In 1914, the community began to meet for Mass in local halls and homes while deciding on a site for the church. The site picked was a cemetery set on the sand hills east of Edith Boulevard, the old high road north and the main street through the neighborhood. As early as 1898 the tract was labeled "old Grave Yard" on city plat maps, probably to distinguish it from the larger Santa Barbara Cemetery to the north, which had been used as the main Catholic cemetery for the city since the early 1870s. Probably it had been a community graveyard, perhaps serving the Barelas community, located to the south along the same acequia (irrigation ditch) that served Martineztown-Santa Barbara.
Graves were moved to the Santa Barbara Cemetery to clear the site, and landscaping with local rocks and plants was begun in 1914-15. Near the church site, the congregation made adobe bricks for the building which measured 16" x 14" x 4". In all, some 5,000 adobes went into the main structure of the church.
Roofing materials for the original tin roof, carpentry work, and church furnishings were donated from the community and from other Catholic churches in the area. The church as originally built was very simple: "The new church had neither pews nor heating. People knelt on the concrete floor, but then found a way out of the difficulty, bringing small blankets, tilmas, and cushions to kneel and sit on.
At this time only San Ignacio and the Catholic Church that has been built in Bernalillo were said to have been built without any outstanding debt left at the time of their dedication--a feat few parishes have accomplished even to modern times." (Sixty Years to the Greater Glory of God, 22).
The church was dedicated during the Feast of San Ignacio, July 1916, by Archbishop John Baptist Pitaval; July 31 continues to be the fiesta day in the neighborhood. In 1926, San Ignacio was given official status as a parish; this year also saw some alterations to the church and the building of the arch which frames it on Edith Boulevard.
Through the years, San Ignacio Church has been a focus of community life, with performances of traditional folk plays and dances, fiestas, and ceremonies marking the stages of the year. The church is a cultural property of great significance in one of Albuquerque's most distinctive Hispano communities.
Local significance of the building:
While a few farms may have existed in the area before the railroad's arrival, Martineztown, the southerly of the two settlements which are now generally regarded as a single neighborhood), was founded in the 1880s and centered around the Second Presbyterian Church, a Hispano-oriented mission church. As the community expanded to the north, the newer area came to be called Santa Barbara, after the large Catholic cemetery sited on its north edge. At first, Catholics in the area traveled to San Felipe Church in 01d Town or to Immaculate Conception Church in the downtown area for Mass. As the community continued to grow, the need for a mission church, attached to the old Town parish, became evident.
Sixty Years to the Greater Glory of God, an anniversary history of the church, credits much of the impetus in its building to Father Joseph Arthuis, S.J., who came to San Felipe de Neri from Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1907, and spent most of the years until his death in 1934 at the San Felipe and San Ignacio parishes. Fr. Arthuis was one in a long line of Jesuit priests in Albuquerque, and it was undoubtedly in their honor that both the old cemetery where the church was built and the church itself was dedicated to San Ignacio de Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order.
In 1914, the community began to meet for Mass in local halls and homes while deciding on a site for the church. The site picked was a cemetery set on the sand hills east of Edith Boulevard, the old high road north and the main street through the neighborhood. As early as 1898 the tract was labeled "old Grave Yard" on city plat maps, probably to distinguish it from the larger Santa Barbara Cemetery to the north, which had been used as the main Catholic cemetery for the city since the early 1870s. Probably it had been a community graveyard, perhaps serving the Barelas community, located to the south along the same acequia (irrigation ditch) that served Martineztown-Santa Barbara.
Graves were moved to the Santa Barbara Cemetery to clear the site, and landscaping with local rocks and plants was begun in 1914-15. Near the church site, the congregation made adobe bricks for the building which measured 16" x 14" x 4". In all, some 5,000 adobes went into the main structure of the church.
Roofing materials for the original tin roof, carpentry work, and church furnishings were donated from the community and from other Catholic churches in the area. The church as originally built was very simple: "The new church had neither pews nor heating. People knelt on the concrete floor, but then found a way out of the difficulty, bringing small blankets, tilmas, and cushions to kneel and sit on.
At this time only San Ignacio and the Catholic Church that has been built in Bernalillo were said to have been built without any outstanding debt left at the time of their dedication--a feat few parishes have accomplished even to modern times." (Sixty Years to the Greater Glory of God, 22).
The church was dedicated during the Feast of San Ignacio, July 1916, by Archbishop John Baptist Pitaval; July 31 continues to be the fiesta day in the neighborhood. In 1926, San Ignacio was given official status as a parish; this year also saw some alterations to the church and the building of the arch which frames it on Edith Boulevard.
Through the years, San Ignacio Church has been a focus of community life, with performances of traditional folk plays and dances, fiestas, and ceremonies marking the stages of the year. The church is a cultural property of great significance in one of Albuquerque's most distinctive Hispano communities.
Community Planning And Development; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
New Mexico has been inhabited by various indigenous groups for thousands of years, including the Puebloan peoples who built elaborate cliff dwellings such as those found at the Bandelier National Monument.
About Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County Timeline
Bernalillo County, located in the central part of the U.S. state of New Mexico, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Tiwa and Tanoan people, who lived off the land and established settlements along the Rio Grande.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
Bernalillo County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
- 1692: Bernalillo County established as part of New Spain's Santa Ana Pueblo land grant.
- 1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain, and Bernalillo County becomes part of the Republic of Mexico.
- 1848: Bernalillo County is ceded to the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War.
- 1852: Bernalillo County officially organized as a county within the New Mexico Territory.
- 1880: Completion of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line through Bernalillo County stimulates growth and development in the region.
- 1902: The county seat is moved from Albuquerque to nearby Los Ranchos.
- 1930: The county seat is moved back to Albuquerque due to the city's rapid growth and importance.
- 1960s: Bernalillo County experiences significant population growth as a result of urbanization and suburban development.
- 2000s: Bernalillo County implements various initiatives to promote economic development, community engagement, and sustainable growth.