About Guardian Angel · El Paso, Texas
Guardian Angel is a historic Roman Catholic parish in El Paso, Texas, belonging to the Diocese of El Paso. Located at 3021 Frutas Avenue in the Durazno neighborhood, the parish was founded in 1908 by the Jesuit priest Rev. Carlos M. Pinto, S.J., who also drew the plans for the current Romanesque Revival church building. Recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1983, the parish today serves a predominantly Spanish-speaking community with weekend Masses in Spanish and English, weekday Spanish Masses, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and Saturday confessions.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- Guardian Angels (Holy Angels)
- Rector
- Rev. Ron Sibugan, AA
- Diocese
- Diocese of El Paso
Why belong here
Guardian Angel offers a bilingual Catholic home rooted in more than a century of El Paso faith life, with weekend Masses in Spanish and English, weekday Spanish Masses Tuesday through Friday, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday confessions. The parish is the spiritual heir of the Mexican Jesuits who took it over in 1918 to serve the Spanish-speaking faithful, and it continues that ministry today from its landmark 1908 Romanesque Revival church on Frutas Avenue. Whether you come for daily Mass, to pray before the Blessed Sacrament on a Thursday evening, or simply to be part of a historic downtown El Paso Catholic community, Guardian Angel welcomes you.
Mass times at Guardian Angel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM (Spanish / bilingual)
Adoration times
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 5:50 PM (Spanish)
History of Guardian Angel Parish
Guardian Angel Parish was founded in 1908 by the Jesuit priest Rev. Carlos M. Pinto, S.J., on what was then considered the northern slopes of El Paso. The cornerstone was blessed on October 7, 1907 and the church was formally blessed on June 7, 1908. Father Pinto celebrated the first Mass and first marriage that day; the first baby baptized was Magdalena Velásquez, daughter of Fernando Velásquez and María González. The first wedding was a few days later, on June 10, 1908, between Mary W. Dunne and Sylvester W. McConangy. Father A. Gilbert, S.J. succeeded Father Pinto and oversaw the addition of the choir loft and other improvements. The church's elaborate interior decoration was directed by Rev. Carmelo Tranchese, S.J.
- Founded 1908 by Rev. Carlos M. Pinto, S.J.
- Cornerstone blessed October 7, 1907; church blessed June 7, 1908
- First baptism: Magdalena Velásquez, June 7, 1908
- First wedding: Mary W. Dunne & Sylvester W. McConangy, June 10, 1908
A Spanish-Speaking Community Since 1918
In its early decades Guardian Angel was mainly attended by English-speaking Catholics. After 1915, however, Mexican refugees fleeing the Mexican Revolution arrived in El Paso in large numbers, and the parish community increasingly became Spanish-speaking. In February 1918 the church was turned over to the Mexican Jesuits, cementing its identity as a Spanish-language parish that has continued to this day. Today's weekend Mass schedule reflects that heritage, with the majority of Masses celebrated in Spanish.
- Transformed by Mexican Revolution refugees after 1915
- Handed to the Mexican Jesuits in February 1918
- Most weekend Masses today are celebrated in Spanish
Missions Founded from Guardian Angel
Throughout its history Guardian Angel administered several missions that eventually grew into independent parishes of their own: Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Juan Bautista, St. Francis Xavier, Nuestra Señora de la Luz, and El Calvario. This missionary outreach is part of why Guardian Angel is considered one of the foundational parishes of Catholic life in central El Paso.
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
- San Juan Bautista
- St. Francis Xavier
- Nuestra Señora de la Luz
- El Calvario
Guardian Angel School
Guardian Angel School opened in 1912 under Rev. Aloysius Blanchard, with the Sisters of Loretto serving as faculty. Originally called Holy Angels School, it was renamed to match the parish when a new school building was completed in 1919.
- Opened 1912 under Rev. Aloysius Blanchard
- Originally called Holy Angels School
- Renamed Guardian Angel School in 1919 when a new school building was completed
- Sisters of Loretto were the original faculty
Architecture and Historic Landmark Status
The Guardian Angel church building is a Romanesque Revival structure designed by its founding pastor, Rev. Carlos M. Pinto, S.J., and constructed in 1908. The building features brickwork and arches derived from the north Italian medieval tradition of building. Its elaborate interior decoration was directed by Rev. Carmelo Tranchese, S.J. In 1983, the Texas Historical Commission recognized the church as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and placed a medallion-and-plate historical marker at the corner of San Marcial and Frutas, where it remains in situ.
- Romanesque Revival style, 1908
- Brickwork and arches in the north Italian medieval tradition
- Interior decoration directed by Rev. Carmelo Tranchese, S.J.
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designated 1983
- Historical marker located at San Marcial and Frutas
Clergy and Staff
Guardian Angel is currently served by Rev. Ron Sibugan, AA, as priest/administrator, together with Brother Daniele Caglioni. The parish is part of the Diocese of El Paso and is listed on the diocesan parish directory.
- Rev. Ron Sibugan, AA — Priest / Administrator
- Brother Daniele Caglioni
- Diocese of El Paso
Contact and Location
Guardian Angel is located in the Durazno neighborhood of El Paso, on the corner of San Marcial and Frutas. The parish office can be reached by phone at (915) 533-2077, and the email on file is [email protected]. The parish is listed in the Diocese of El Paso's official parish directory and accepts online giving through the Diocese of El Paso Foundation.
- Address: 3021 Frutas Avenue, El Paso, TX 79905
- Phone: (915) 533-2077
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese of El Paso parish directory entry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Carlos M. Pinto, S.J.1908–
Founding pastor; Jesuit who began several missions in El Paso; drew plans and supervised construction of the 1908 Romanesque Revival church.
- Rev. A. Gilbert, S.J.
First pastor after Father Pinto; added the choir loft and made other improvements.
- Rev. Aloysius Blanchard1912–
Opened Guardian Angel School in 1912 with the Sisters of Loretto as faculty.
- Rev. Carmelo Tranchese, S.J.
Directed the elaborate interior decoration of the church.
- Humberto Cruz Flores
Listed as Pastor in business filings.
- Rev. Ron Sibugan, AApresent
Current priest/administrator per Diocese of El Paso parish listing.