Apache Mission Church

On our last day in Ruidoso, we met Loree on our way out of town. She took us to the St. Joseph Apache Mission church, which is nestled in the Sacramento Mountains. It is incredible.

They began building the church in 1920. It was completed in 1939, though it has had many renovations and details added since then.

On the outside of the church is a small grave overgrown with jasmine. One of the men helping build the church was crushed by one of the huge stones and died. He is buried right where it happened.

I love the color and detail of the doors to the church.

Some of my favorite features of the inside include the Apache details. The lanterns mimic the headdresses of the Apache Crown Dancers and The Last Supper is depicted with Apaches.

The retablo behind the altar is beautiful. It depicts an Apache Christ, or Creator in an open palmed position. Painted inside one palm is a cross. The other hand holds a ceremonial rattle made from deer hooves. At his feet is an offering basket that contains two medicine bags and a smudge stick made of sage. In the background flies an eagle.

We even saw what appeared to be petroglyphs on three of the stones in the church.

On our way out of town we stopped at an Apache owned store for lunch. We had some of the biggest hamburgers I have ever seen. The best part, though, was the Apache fry bread. MMMmmmmm.