About St. Peter-St. Paul Mission · San Pablo, Colorado
Sangre de Cristo Parish, centered in San Luis, Colorado, is a Catholic community rooted in the faith of early Spanish settlers and their descendants in Costilla County. Established in 1881 with Father J.V. Montaño as its first pastor, the parish has grown through generations of faithful ministry and the construction of mission churches across the region. The parish’s mission churches — including St. Peter-St. Paul in San Pablo — reflect the enduring spiritual heritage of the area. The parish is led by Father Emmanuel Ayodeji Alao, who serves as Parish Administrator, and supported by staff such as Treasurer Becky Romero. The parish offers Mass, sacraments, and ministries in multiple languages, with a strong emphasis on community, worship, and service.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- Sangre de Cristo
- Rector
- Father Emmanuel Ayodeji Alao
Why belong here
Join a community that values worship, holistic formation in holiness, and service to others in the spirit of love. The parish offers ministries that nurture faith, support families across generations, and connect members through shared traditions and mission. Whether through volunteering, attending Mass, or participating in sacraments, you become part of a living faith project rooted in the enduring legacy of the Pobladores and their descendants.
History
The Sangre de Cristo Parish was established and assigned a pastor (Father J.V. Montaño) in 1881. The 1889 directory of churches in Colorado verifies that the parish was named Sangre de Cristo. Father Samuel Garcia finished constructing the church in San Luis in 1894, in addition to building and renovating mission churches and establishing a school and parish compound. He also organized construction of churches at Fort Garland, San Pablo, and Los Fuertes. The existing religious spaces belonging to Sangre de Cristo Parish reflects the values, aspirations, spiritual outlook, and faith of families who have resided in Costilla County for multiple generations.
Mission Churches
Beginning with the Spanish settlers in the early 1800’s, several villages were established in what is today south central Colorado. The cultural epicenter of these villages were their churches. Today, many aspects of life that were originally brought to the region by these original settlers survive, including their churches. During the summer, Saturday Mass is held at one of the mission churches each week. Call our office at 719-992-0122 for the Mission Mass schedule.
- Immaculate Conception, Chama, CO
- Saints Peter & Paul, San Pedro, CO
- San Francisco, CO
- Holy Family, Fort Garland, CO
- Saint James the Less, Blanca, CO
- Sacred Heart, Garcia, CO
- San Acacio, CO
- The Shrine (Chapel of All Saints), San Luis, CO
Staff
The commitment from our staff each and every day keeps our parish strong and vibrant. Scroll down to read about the Sangre de Cristo staff.
- Rebbeca Romero — Treasurer
Parish Administrator
Father Emmanuel Ayodeji Alao, Parish Administrator, welcomes visitors with a message of faith, hope, and service. He emphasizes worship, formation in holiness, and service to others in the spirit of love.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father J.V. Montaño1881
First pastor assigned.
- Father Samuel Garcia1894
Finished construction of San Luis church; built/renovated mission churches at Fort Garland, San Pablo, and Los Fuertes.