Florence in Pinal County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
La Capilla del Gila
First church of the Assumption
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 16, 2010
1. La Capilla del Gila Marker
Inscription.
La Capilla del Gila. First church of the Assumption. This first Catholic Church in central Arizona, built in 1870 by Father Andre Echallier, was called "La Capilla del Gila". In 1883 a larger edifice commemorating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was constructed to the west: a convent was added to the original Capilla, which then became a school. After fire destroyed the new church in 1893, the old chapel served worshipers until the third church was dedicated in 1911. All the region's earliest Catholic Churches, including Phoenix and Tempe, were originally missions of this Florence parish.
This first Catholic Church in central Arizona, built in 1870 by Father Andre Echallier, was called "La Capilla del Gila". In 1883 a larger edifice commemorating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was constructed to the west: a convent was added to the original Capilla, which then became a school. After fire destroyed the new church in 1893, the old chapel served worshipers until the third church was dedicated in 1911. All the region's earliest Catholic Churches, including Phoenix and Tempe, were originally missions of this Florence parish.
Erected by Pinal County Historical Society and Arizona Historical Society.
Location. 33° 2.059′ N, 111° 23.088′ W. Marker is in Florence, Arizona, in Pinal County. Marker is on East 8th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 223 East 8th Street, Florence AZ 85132, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding La Capilla del Gila. This site is #4 on the self-guided Historic Florence Walking Tour.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 16, 2010
2. La Capilla del Gila
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, January 16, 2010
3. La Capilla del Gila
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,134 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
