Near Mountainair in Torrance County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Administration of Souls
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Administración de almas
Photographed by James Hulse, April 10, 2025
1. Administration of Souls / Administración de almas Marker
Franciscan friars were already administering and building for the faith in the neighboring pueblos of Abó and Chililí when the first Spanish missionary came to Quarai in 1627. Juan Gutiérrez de la Chica arrived with only a cartload of tools and his books. Within five years, Tiwa women under Gutiérrez's instruction had built the sandstone and adobe church, convento, and corrals you see here.But conflict between New Mexico's missionaries and king's men overshadowed the new way of life brought by the friars before this church was even ten years old. For the next 35 years, the people of Quarai would see more than their fair share of trials and trouble.
Quarai had a very good church, organ and choir (and)...658 souls under its administration.
Franciscan report of 1656
Church and convento of Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Cuarac, 1627-1677 (below)
En 1627 los frailes franciscanos ya se encontraban administrando y estableciendo la fe en los pueblos vecinos de Abó y Chililí, cuando llegó a Quarai el primer misionero español, Juan Gutiérrez
this page online
Sin embargo, conflictos entre las misioneros y los magistrados del rey ensombrecieron el nuevo modo de vida introducido por los frailes antes de que esta iglesia tuviera siquiera diez años de existencia. En los próximos 35 años, la gente de Quarai vería más de lo que le correspondiera de pleitos y penas.
Quarai tenia una iglesia muy buena con órgano y coro...658 almas bajo su administración.
informe franciscano, hacia 1656.
Iglesia y convento de Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Cuarac, 1627-1677 (debajo)
Erected by Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1627.
Location. 34° 35.738′ N, 106° 17.771′ W. Marker is near Mountainair, New Mexico, in Torrance County. It is on Manzano Quari Road one mile west of New Mexico Route
Photographed by James Hulse, April 10, 2025
2. The Pueblo and Administration of Souls Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Albuquerque. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 1830 Church / Iglesia de 1830 (within shouting distance of this marker); Village of Quarai / Pueblo de Quaral (within shouting distance of this marker); Seat of the Inquisition / Sede de la inquisición (within shouting distance of this marker); Torreón (within shouting distance of this marker); Famine and War / Hambruna y guerra (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quarai Ruins (approx. ¾ mile away); Saint Francis of Assisi / San Francisco de Asís (approx. 6.1 miles away); Sôr María de Ágreda (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountainair.
Also see . . . Salt, Societies, and Spirituality: A Tale of Diverse Cultures. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Tucked away in the middle of New Mexico you’ll find Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Its three distinct sites offer a glimpse into a unique time in history—a time entrenched with cultural borrowing, conflict and struggles. These sites continue to stand as reminders of the Spanish and Pueblo peoples’ early encounters and prompt exploration of(Submitted on June 7, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)today’s interactions among different people.Photographed by James Hulse, April 10, 20253. A closeup view of the Pueblo
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
