Former Members Mourn Passing Of El Calvario

03/07/0790 CHURCH EVACUATED - El Calvario Catholic Church at 4000 Durazno and formerly under the direction of the Rev. CMF Francisco Pacheco, appears in near ruins as it awaits the demolition crews which will remove it from the path of the new North-South Freeway, now under construction.

February 21, 1970

“The North and South freeway and its gleaming steel and concrete overpasses and underpasses will grace our fair city sometime in the near future, but the former site at 4000 Durazno street will always bring tears to many old timers who built the church with their hands,” states Mrs. Anna Manley of 4110 Leeds street, former member of El Calvario Church.

It was founded by Rev. Francisco Pacheco in 1933 after he had just arrived from Spain. Money for the building was raised through donations, bazaars, enchilada dinners, theatrical shows and magic shows. It was built by hand by congregation members. The last service was held in October.

“What some of the old timers ask, is, why did their church have to be torn down? During the depression when neighborhood men went every morning to look for work and couldn’t find any, they would return to the church and pull themselves up on ropes to the top of the rock walls and with their pastor, put in their day’s free labor for the House of God. In their hearts, El Calvario Church will always be a beautiful shrine of love, faith and hard work,” Mrs. Manley said.

Comments

[Nicolas Palacios]

Trish: Thanks for posting this picture and brief history of the "El Calvario Catholic Church". Our whole family (Palacios) were members of this church. My father, Ricardo Palacios, was active in the church and help Father Pacheco. Several of my sisters were married in this church. Prior to it being torn down, I still remember Father Pacheco going around the neighborhood asking for signatures to save the church structure from being demolished. I attended CCD here and also attended Lincoln Elementary School which was located just across the street. Do you have any more photos (prior to it being torn down) of this church? I was also thinking of contacting the El Paso Catholic Diocese. Any suggestions?

Thanks...Nicolas Palacios