San Elizario in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

San Elizario Chapel

(Capilla de San Elzeario)

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, October 4, 2025

1. San Elizario Chapel Marker

Inscription. Named for the 13th-century French patron of the military, St. Elzear, Capilla de San Elzeario was established as part of the Spanish military garrison of Presidio de San Elzeario (also Elceario, later Elizario) when it was moved to this site in 1789 from its original location 37 miles to the southeast. After Rio Grande floods damaged the original chapel, the present chapel was built with new adobe bricks and bricks from the original presidio walls. A fine example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, it is a tangible reminder of the Hispanic and Catholic heritage of this region.

Erected 1962 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4533.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1789.

Location. 31° 35.098′ N, 106° 16.387′ W. Marker is in San Elizario, Texas, in El Paso County. It is at the intersection of San Elizario Road and Church Street, on the right when traveling north on San Elizario Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1556 San Elizario Road, San Elizario TX 79849, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: San Elizario Presidio Chapel / Capilla del Presidio de San Elizario

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(here, next to this marker); San Elizario (a few steps from this marker); Salt War (a few steps from this marker); Los Portales (within shouting distance of this marker); San Elizario Memorial Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named San Elizario (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan de Onate Expedition - 1598 (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Thanksgiving (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Elizario.

Regarding San Elizario Chapel. National Register of Historic Places:
Presidio Chapel of San Elizario (added 1972 - - #72001358)
Also known as Nuestra Senora del Pilar y de Glorioso San Jose'
• Historic Significance: Event, Information
• Potential, Architecture/Engineering
• Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
• Architectural Style: No Style Listed
• Area of Significance: Historic - Non-Aboriginal,
• Architecture, Religion
• Cultural Affiliation: American Indian
• Period of Significance: 1875-1899, 1750-1799
• Owner: Private
• Historic Function: Religion
• Historic Sub-function: Religious Structure

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

2. San Elizario Chapel Marker

• Current Function: Religion
• Current Sub-function: Religious Structure

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

3. San Elizario Chapel Marker

San Elizario Chapel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

4. San Elizario Chapel

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

5. San Elizario Chapel

Photographed by Sandie Kirchner, November 4, 2010

6. San Elizario Chapel

San Elizario Mission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Stroud, June 1996

7. San Elizario Mission

National Register of Historic Places: Added September 14, 1972 Reference#: 72001358 Note that the front of the mission chapel had not been repaired when this photo was taken in 1996.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010

8. San Elizario Chapel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,417 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on June 5, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on November 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 16, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 7. submitted on January 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8. submitted on November 16, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.