About St. Mary Mission (Historic Church) · Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
St. Mary Mission is a historic Catholic mission church in the high-desert village of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, set in the Río Arriba foothills north of Santa Fe. Rooted in the Spanish missionary heritage of northern New Mexico, it continues today as an active mission church of San Juan Nepomuceno Parish in El Rito. The community gathers for Sunday Mass in a setting that preserves centuries-old adobe-church architecture and local devotional traditions.
- Established
- 1793
- Patron
- St. Mary / Holy Cross (Santa Cruz)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Why belong here
A peaceful, historic mission where you can experience the deep Catholic roots and adobe-church heritage of northern New Mexico close to home.
Mass times at St. Mary Mission (Historic Church)
Weekly Mass schedule
History & Heritage
St. Mary Mission stands on the site of the historic Santa Cruz de Ojo Caliente chapel, built after the village resettlement and licensed in 1811. The building reflects the classic Spanish Colonial adobe-church tradition of northern New Mexico, with thick earthen walls and a long devotional history. A community-led restoration from 1991 to 1994 preserved the structure for future generations.
Worship Schedule
St. Mary Mission is currently served as a mission church of San Juan Nepomuceno Parish in El Rito. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM. From June through September, the parish's mission churches may also host a Friday 5:00 PM Mass on a rotating schedule; visitors should call ahead to confirm which mission is hosting on a given Friday.
Planning Your Visit
The church is located west of U.S. Highway 285 on NM-414 (Los Baños Dr.) in Ojo Caliente. Because mission Mass schedules can change with the season, contact San Juan Nepomuceno Parish before traveling.