San Luis in Costilla County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Faith on the Frontier

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2025

1. Faith on the Frontier Marker

Inscription.
The Sacred Circle Mission Churches lie in Costilla County, Colorado — nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Construction of the nine original historic buildings in the Sacred Circle began in the mid-1850s and continued until the 1930s. Each has its own character and architectural style.

The Legend of San Acacio Viejo
In the mid-1800s, men were busy working in the fields, just outside a small settlement as a group of Ute warriors appeared on the horizon. Alone in the settlement, helpless women, children, and their elderly relatives prayed to St. Acacias for deliverance. As they prayed, the warriors abruptly stopped their horses. Pointing to the sky, the warriors turned their horses and fled. The grateful settlers were spared.

Years later, an old Ute woman shared what happened on that day. The Utes had seen in the clouds above the settlement, a fierce warrior, riding down on his horse to defend the settlement. Fearing for their lives, the warriors departed and the settlers were spared.

With tremendous gratitude and conviction, the settlers vowed to build a church in honor of St. Acacias, their deliverer. The Capilla de Viejo San Acacio was built and is Colorado’s oldest standing church.

A one mile walk up the mesa, the Stations of the Cross offers a series of 15

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bronze statues, depicting the last hours of Christ's life. The shrine chapel at the top will provide an opportunity to rest and reflect. Local sculptor, Huberto Maestas, created each of the statues, a testament to the faith of the local parishioners.

Just a few miles away, in the small settlement of Viejo San Acacio (Old San Acacio), a prayer for deliverance was answered. A church was built in honor of the saint believed to have been the redeemer.

Erected by Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission, Colorado Historical Society, Colorado Department of Transportation, and The Nature Conservancy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 37° 12.135′ N, 105° 25.526′ W. Marker is in San Luis, Colorado, in Costilla County. It is on Main Street (State Highway 159) just north of 6th Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is near the sidewalk on the west side of San Luis Community Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 650 Main Street, San Luis CO 81152, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains

and in the San Luis Valley.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: La Sierra (here, next to this marker); Welcome to El Valle de San Luis

Marker detail: The Sacred Circle Mission Churches image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: The Sacred Circle Mission Churches

St. James the Less Mission, Blanca
Sangre de Cristo Parish Church, San Luis
Sts. Peter and Paul MIssion, San Pablo
San Francisco Mission, San Francisco
San Isidro Mission, Los Fuertes
Immaculate Conception Mission, Chama
San Acacio Mission, Old San Acacio (Capilla de Viejo San Acacio)
Sacred Heart Mission, Garcia
Holy Family Mission, Fort Garland

(here, next to this marker); Oldest Town in Colorado (here, next to this marker); San Luis (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hispano Folkways (about 600 feet away); San Luis Valley Country (about 600 feet away); Acequias (about 600 feet away); San Luis and Costilla County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Luis.

Also see . . .
1. Capilla de Viejo San Acacio (History Colorado).

Excerpt: As the oldest continually used non-Native American religious space in Colorado, Capilla de Viejo San Acacio is significant for its Hispanic Heritage beginning in 1850.
As the symbolic and actual center of the Viejo San Acacio community, the church and cemetery are the location for ongoing cultural use and the site of repeated community gatherings since the village formed circa 1850.

(Submitted on March 2, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Costilla County Mission Churches (Youtube).

This half-hour documentary explores the history and traditions of the nine
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2025

3. Faith on the Frontier Marker
Welcome “Caminante” — to Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Byway and The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area
Looking south. This marker is the rightmost of two interpretive panels on the north side of the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Byway kiosk in San Luis. Main Street (Colorado Highway 159) is on the right.
Costilla County Catholic Mission Churches and the rural communities they serve. Sponsored by Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and History Colorado.

(Submitted on March 2, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 2, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.