H.R. No. 2383
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, With a unique history spanning more than 100 years,
the San Elizario Presidio Chapel is one of El Paso County's cultural
treasures; and
WHEREAS, Named for Saint Elzear, the San Elizario Presidio
was established in 1789 to provide protection for the settlements
of Ysleta and Socorro and to host an Apache colony; the presidio was
abandoned during the Mexican War of Independence, and by the
mid-1800s, the fort stood in ruins; and
WHEREAS, The current chapel, built on the town plaza in 1882,
is perhaps the fourth such structure to have been erected on or near
this site; an imposing presence, with white plastered walls and
strong buttresses that catch the sunlight, the chapel is considered
a prime example of the late adobe church architecture found in West
Texas and New Mexico; the interior of the building underwent
extensive restoration following a fire that broke out in 1935, and
the back wall was later repainted to honor soldiers from the town
who had fought in the Second World War; and
WHEREAS, The residents of the State of Texas are heirs to an
extraordinarily rich heritage, and the San Elizario Presidio Chapel
serves as an important reminder of this legacy; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby honor the San Elizario Presidio Chapel and
extend to all those associated with the church sincere best wishes
for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the San Elizario Presidio Chapel as an expression of
high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
González
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2383 was adopted by the House on May
21, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House