About St. Francis de Paula · Tularosa, New Mexico
St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church is a historic parish in the Village of Tularosa, New Mexico, founded in 1868 by Hispanic settlers who made a solemn promise to its patron saint during an Apache attack. The parish celebrated its first Mass in May 1869 and has served the Tularosa community for over 155 years as both a place of worship and a center of civic life. It belongs to the Diocese of Las Cruces (Tularosa Basin Vicariate) and is currently served by Rev. Patrick Montgomery and Deacon Mariano C. Melendrez. The church is the spiritual heart of the annual San Francis de Paula Fiesta, one of the oldest continuously celebrated religious fiestas in New Mexico.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Francis de Paula (San Francisco de Paula)
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick Montgomery
- Diocese
- Diocese of Las Cruces (Tularosa Basin Vicariate)
Why belong here
St. Francis de Paula offers a deeply rooted Catholic community in the Tularosa Basin where the heritage of the original Spanish-speaking settlers is still alive. Parishioners can worship at a historic adobe church dating to 1868, pray in a daily adoration chapel open most of the day, receive the Anointing of the Sick on the first Friday of each month, and serve their neighbors through Annie's Pantry food bank, the parish thrift store, the Guadalupanas, and the Folklorico Dancers. The annual San Francis de Paula Fiesta, held every year since the settlers made their solemn promise, makes this a parish where faith, family, and Hispanic village tradition are inseparable.
Mass times at St. Francis de Paula
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursdays, beginning with the 2nd Thursday of each month, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (except the Thursday before 1st Friday)
- By appointment — call Father Patrick at 575-642-6934
Adoration times
- Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm (Adoration Chapel)
- Friday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (Adoration Chapel)
Our Story — Founded in Faith, 1868
St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church was established in 1868 by the Hispanic settlers of Tularosa as the fulfillment of a promise made to God through the intercession of St. Francis de Paula. During the Battle of Round Mountain on April 17, 1868, while twenty-six civilian volunteers from Tularosa and U.S. Cavalry troops fought Apache raiders, the townspeople gathered around an image of the saint brought from La Mesilla by José María Bernal and prayed La Promesa Solemne. Their victory was credited to the saint's intercession, and the settlers built the church in thanksgiving. Rev. F. Boucard of the Diocese of Tucson celebrated the first Mass in May 1869. For over 155 years, the church has been a center of spiritual, cultural, and civic life in the Tularosa Basin.
- Founded 1868; first Mass May 1869
- Built as a refuge from Apache attacks as well as a place of worship
- The original adobe structure is roughly half the size of the present church
- An image of St. Francis de Paula brought from La Mesilla in 1862 by José María Bernal remains the devotional focus of the parish
La Promesa Solemne
La Promesa Solemne is the solemn prayer-promise that stands at the heart of the parish's identity. While the men of Tularosa fought at Round Mountain in April 1868, the villagers prayed together: 'Dear God, if you will grant us victory, through the intercession of your servant, St. Francis de Paula, we will complete the building of our church and the church will bear the name of St. Francis de Paula, and for all years thereafter, the events shall be commemorated by us and all our descendants. Amen.' That promise is renewed every year at the San Francis de Paula Fiesta.
- Prayed by the townspeople of Tularosa on April 17, 1868
- Commemorated annually at the San Francis de Paula Fiesta
San Francis de Paula Fiesta
The St. Francis de Paula Fiesta is the parish's signature annual celebration and one of the oldest continuously held religious fiestas in New Mexico. A typical weekend begins with a Rosary at Round Mountain, a horseshoe tournament at the fiesta grounds, Saturday Vigil Mass, a procession around the church, and a dance with coronation of the fiesta court. Sunday features Mass at 11:00 am, followed by folklorico and traditional dances, food booths, arts and crafts vendors, games, and a raffle. The Knights of Columbus, the bishop and priests, and the Guadalupanas all take part, making it both a Catholic and a community-wide event.
- 156th Fiesta held in April 2024; 157th in April 2025
- Rosary at Round Mountain (site of the 1868 battle) opens the weekend
- Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30 pm, Sunday Mass at 11:00 am
- Danzantes, Folklorico Dancers, and a fiesta court participate
Our Mission and Vision
The parish's stated Mission is 'to come together as a community of faith, in a spirit of hospitality and loving care, to serve one another in times of need and to share in the joys and struggles of everyday life in Christ.' Its Vision is 'to center our parish life on Christ, Scripture, and the celebration of the Sacraments in joyous worship and prayerful reflection of His love and mercy.' These statements shape the parish's outreach (Annie's Pantry, thrift store) and its sacramental and devotional life.
- Mission: community, hospitality, service, and Catholic teaching
- Vision: Christ-centered worship and sacramental life
Clergy and Staff
St. Francis de Paula is currently served by Rev. Patrick Montgomery as priest/pastor and Deacon Mariano C. Melendrez. The parish office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Father Patrick can also be reached directly for appointments (including Confession) at 575-642-6934.
- Rev. Patrick Montgomery — Priest/Pastor
- Deacon Mariano C. Melendrez
- Office hours: Mon, Tue, Thu 1:00–3:00 pm
- Phone: 575-585-2793; Fr. Patrick direct: 575-642-6934
Ministries and Outreach
Outreach is a defining part of parish life. Annie's Pantry distributes free groceries to anyone in need each Wednesday at the south door of the parish hall, run by volunteers Mandy Leyva, Melanie Voorbach, and Viola Voorbach. The parish Thrift Store at the fiesta grounds (Tuesdays 9:00 am – 2:00 pm) provides affordable goods and supports parish programs. The Guadalupanas (laywomen devoted to the Virgen de Guadalupe) support church functions throughout the year, and the Folklorico Dancers preserve and share the traditional dances of northern New Mexico, especially during the annual fiesta.
- Annie's Pantry — Wed 3:00–5:00 pm; donations collected at Mass in the red wagon
- Thrift Store — Tue 9:00 am – 2:00 pm; contact Carmen Rhodes (575-430-8433)
- Guadalupanas — devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Folklorico Dancers — traditional dance, year-round and at the fiesta
Faith Formation
Religious education at St. Francis de Paula takes place in the buildings that once served as the parish's parochial school — a reminder that the parish has been teaching the faith to children for generations. Faith-formation programs (including preparation for the sacraments) are coordinated through the parish office; families are encouraged to contact Deacon Mariano or the office during Mon/Tue/Thu hours (1:00–3:00 pm) for current class schedules and registration.
- Held in the former parochial school buildings on parish grounds
- Inquiries through the parish office (Mon, Tue, Thu 1:00–3:00 pm) or via Deacon Mariano
Lenten Devotions
During Lent the parish offers additional opportunities for prayer and penance. Stations of the Cross are prayed on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and on Fridays at 6:00 pm. The Anointing of the Sick on the first Friday of each month takes on added meaning in this season, and the extended Adoration Chapel hours continue to provide a place of silent prayer throughout the week.
- Stations of the Cross — Wed 3:00–5:00 pm
- Stations of the Cross — Fri 6:00 pm (during Lent)
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Francis de Paula at 303 Encino St., Tularosa, NM 88352 (phone 575-585-2793, email [email protected]). The office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Bulletins, Mass times, and the parish calendar are available on the official website at stfrancisdepaulachurch.org. The parish welcomes inquiries about Mass intentions, the Anointing of the Sick, baptisms, marriages, quinceañeras, and the Anointing of the Sick for the homebound.
- Address: 303 Encino St., Tularosa, NM 88352
- Phone: 575-585-2793
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: stfrancisdepaulachurch.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. F. Boucard1869
From the Diocese of Tucson; celebrated the first Mass in the new church in May 1869.
- Fr. Ferdinand Ortiz, OFMbuilt rectory after 1916
Franciscan friar; built the parish rectory (704 St. Francis Dr.) after 1916, per the Otero County Tribune of May 9, 1969.