Near Laguna in Cibola County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

San José De La Laguna Mission

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

1. San José De La Laguna Mission Marker

Inscription.
(Front of Marker:)
The picturesque mission church of San José de la Laguna was built around 1706 by Fray Antonio Miranda and shows the single – aisle floor plan commonly used in pueblo churches. It has been repaired many times, and acquired its distinctive white stucco exterior in 1977.

The church contains a beautiful and well-preserved altar screen made between 1800 and 1808 by a folk artist known only as the "Laguna santero." The interior walls are mud-plastered and white-washed, and the floor is made of packed earth. The handsome wooden ceiling is laid in a herringbone pattern.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1706.

Location. 35° 1.868′ N, 107° 22.895′ W. Marker is near Laguna, New Mexico, in Cibola County. It is on Interstate 40 at milepost 113.5, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the eastbound rest area on I-40. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Laguna NM 87026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s San Juan Basin.

It is also in the American Southwest

and in Colorado Plateau.

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 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Susie Rayos Marmon - Ga-wa goo maa (Early Riser) (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San José De La Laguna Mission

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Pueblo of Laguna (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Pueblo of Laguna (about 400 feet away); Post World War II (approx. 0.6 miles away); Trade - Tourism - Economy (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Battle of Khe Sanh Vietnam, 1968 (approx. 7.6 miles away); a different marker also named Pueblo of Laguna (approx. 10.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laguna.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

2. San José De La Laguna Mission Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

3. San José De La Laguna Mission Marker

San José De La Laguna Mission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 23, 2010

4. San José De La Laguna Mission

Photographed by James M. Slack, Photographer, February 2, 1934

5. San José De La Laguna Mission

Historic American Buildings Survey
HABS NM,31-LAGUP,1-1

The Rehearsal Room image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James M. Slack, Photographer, March 13, 1934

6. The Rehearsal Room

Historic American Buildings Survey
HABS NM,31-LAGUP,1-9

View of the Altar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James M. Slack, Photographer, March 13, 1934

7. View of the Altar

Historic American Buildings Survey
HABS NM,31-LAGUP,1-14

The View of the Mission Church Looking North image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James M. Slack, Photographer, April 11, 1934

8. The View of the Mission Church Looking North

Historic American Buildings Survey
HABS NM,31-LAGUP,1-7

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,032 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 4, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 8, 2010. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.