About St. Joseph Apache Mission Parish (National Historic Church) · Mescalero, New Mexico
St. Joseph Apache Mission Parish is a National Historic Church located in Mescalero, New Mexico, serving the Mescalero Apache community. It is a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance, where Indigenous traditions and Catholic faith intersect. The parish has faced recent turmoil, including the secret removal of sacred artwork — the Apache Christ icon — by parish leadership and Diocese officials, sparking community outrage and calls for accountability. Despite this, the parish continues to function as a center for worship, healing, and community life, with a strong emphasis on restoring trust and honoring Indigenous heritage within the Church.
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Father Chudy
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces
Why belong here
Join a parish that honors the sacred intersection of Apache culture and Catholic faith, where community healing and spiritual growth are central. Through ministries like youth catechism, cultural preservation, and outreach, members are invited to participate in rebuilding trust and restoring dignity after recent painful events. The parish offers a space where Indigenous identity is affirmed as part of Catholic life, not in opposition to it.
History
The parish is a National Historic Church and has deep roots in the Mescalero Apache community. It has been a site of spiritual and cultural resilience, especially after recent events involving the removal of sacred artwork without consent, which has reignited community calls for justice and accountability. The parish has worked to rebuild trust with Indigenous people following the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2024 document 'Keeping Christ's Sacred Promise,' which affirms Indigenous identity as compatible with Catholic faith.
Recent Events
In June 2024, the Apache Christ icon — a sacred painting gifted to the Mescalero Apache — was secretly removed from the church by parish pastor Father Chudy, members of the Knights of Columbus, and representatives of the Diocese of Las Cruces. Community members were shocked and outraged, especially after the Diocese’s refusal to acknowledge the removal or return the artwork. The painting was returned in July 2024 after community advocacy and surveillance, but some items remain missing. The Diocese has not issued an official statement.
Community Response
The community has responded with strong calls for accountability, justice, and healing. They have demanded an apology from Bishop Baldacchino and the Diocese, and a promise that such acts will never happen again. The return of the artwork was seen as a first step in healing, but the community insists on full accountability and systemic change within the Diocese to address racism and colonialism.