Toyahvale in Reeves County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Mission Mary

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

1. Mission Mary Marker

Inscription. From 1895 to 1935, Father Nicholas Brocardus Eiken served several mission stations in this region, including Mission Mary, established by 1902 in the Calera Community. The original adobe and rubble sanctuary was built in 1925 and featured pillars, which were removed when the building was plastered in the 1940s. The rectangular plan church features a bell tower and a low pitch roof with exposed rafter tails. Today, most of the area’s small missions have disappeared, as has Calera. Mission Mary stands as a monument to the area settlements and to the churches and the residents they served. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark - 2010

Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16611.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 30° 56.31′ N, 103° 49.673′ W. Marker is in Toyahvale, Texas, in Reeves County. It is on Farm to Market Road 3078 2.2 miles west of Texas Highway 17, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in

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this post office area: Toyahvale TX 79786, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and in the 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 Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: San Solomon Spring (approx. 2½ miles away); Jerry Ray M. Mendoza (approx. 5.9 miles away); Cpl Larry A Bradley (approx. 6.1 miles away); In Tribute to All Veterans of the United States (approx. 6.1 miles away); American Legion Memorial (approx. 6.1 miles away).

Also see . . . Calera, Texas website. (Submitted on April 27, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)

Mission Mary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

2. Mission Mary

Marker can be seen next to church

"Adobe and Rubble Construction" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

3. "Adobe and Rubble Construction"

Photo from rear of church showing the "adobe and rubble construction" referenced on marker.

Photo of interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

4. Photo of interior

Votive Rocks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

5. Votive Rocks

Votive rocks left outside the entrance to the church.

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

6. Votive Rocks

Votive rocks left outside the entrance to the church.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 12, 2015

7. Mission Mary

Photo inside church showing history image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

8. Photo inside church showing history

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 14, 2014

9. Photo inside church showing history

Brochure, page 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, May 28, 2014

10. Brochure, page 1

Brochure available inside the mission giving information on Mission Mary and Calera, Texas. Click on photo to read.

Brochure, page 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, May 28, 2014

11. Brochure, page 2

Brochure available inside the mission giving information on Mission Mary and Calera, Texas. Click on photo to read.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,477 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 27, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 7. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 8, 9. submitted on April 27, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 10, 11. submitted on May 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.