SEVEN MILE PLAZA - For the past two years, Ernie Martinez alongside his wife Sandra and their family, several volunteers and donors have worked to restore the St. Francis of Assisi Mission Church in the Seven Mile Plaza and are pleased to announce that restoration work is complete, for now.  

“A year ago, this church was dilapidated and now it has been rejuvenated. It is now up to all of us to help keep this wonderful place beautiful. We are very grateful to those that helped make this miracle happen. Most of all we would like to thank everyone who help with fundraisers. Fundraising for this type of project is not easy,” said Martinez. 

Thanks to fundraising efforts and several private and organizational donations, the church was lovingly restored. The outside and inside stucco was patched, the floors were refurbished with new paneled wood, and the roof was replaced. “It took a lot of time and effort but now we have a beautiful church that we can use, and we hope the community will enjoy it for years to come.” 

Now that the church is in better repair, the St. Francis of Assisi is ready to welcome the community for events like baptisms, weddings, quinquennia’s, funerals, confirmations and of course, fundraisers.  

“Times have changed, and we now would like to care for the cemetery. We will be charging $100 per year fee for old or new burials in order to keep the cemetery in better condition. We accept donations above the price for a burial and be used to care for loved ones.” 

All donations can be gifted to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Monte Vista with a note dictating where or who the money should be delegated.  

According to research provided by History Colorado, the St. Francis of Assisi Mission Church was constructed in 1881. Approximately 30 years had elapsed since Spanish settlers first arrived in the San Luis Valley and established settlements in the area around San Luis, Colorado.  

In the 1850's, settlers from the southern part of the San Luis Valley arid northern New Mexico also moved into the northern and western reaches of the San Luis Valley. Anglo settlers soon started to move into the area to pursue their interests in the mining, agriculture, transportation and commerce, but the settlements in the hills south and east of Del Norte were primarily focused on farming and ranching and strongly centered around the practice of the Catholic faith. 

In 1881, travel in the immediate area was accomplished primarily by horse. It was not practical to travel long distances on a daily basis for purposes of trade or worship. Thus, there were many small Hispano settlements throughout the area. The people lived in relative isolation in close-knit communities. The St. Francis church and cemetery are located on a 5.49-acre tract of land donated by Juan Pio Valdez in a community known as Plaza de Los Valdezes. Today, it is sometimes referred to simply as Plaza. In the 1870's and into the early twentieth century, there was also a schoolhouse, and a railroad stop in addition to the church. 

In the early days, a small number of priests served the widely dispersed Catholic population. Priests traveled to the various parishes as they were able. By 1895, the Del Norte parish served twelve missions, including St. Francis of Assisi. After the advent of automobile travel, the priest was able to visit on a weekly basis. 

The 1920's through the 1940's were probably the heyday of the Mission Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The community was closely knit and devout. The large families filled the church to capacity. After the war, people became more willing and able to travel by auto to Del Norte and Monte Vista to attend mass. 

A huge thanks goes out to Deborah Romero, Ernie and Sandra Martinez and all who helped this dream become a reality.