Chapel of Our Blessed Virgin
![[bizarre_tomechapel1.jpg]](bizarre_tomechapel1.jpg)
This chapel is one of the most well-kept-up that I have seen; it is so neat and well-appointed that I expect it is used for religious services. I attribute its good condition to the fact that it is within the fenced yard of a private residence. The chapel is just north of Tomé Hill, the summit of which has long been a destination for pilgrimages by the devout.
![[bizarre_tomechapel2.jpg]](bizarre_tomechapel2.jpg)
Here is the history of the chapel, from a sign on an inside wall (author unknown):
(Chapel of our Blessed Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus) CAPILLITA DE LA VIRGEN, MADRE DE DIOS
This capillita (small chapel) was built by Lawrence and Olga Sandoval. Construction began on August 15, 1996, and finished by October 1997. The capillita was inspired by our beautiful, loving grandparents, Ramon and Sara Abeyta, and their loving sister Maria Abeyta Vasquez. They maintained a capillita on their property (attached to their home) for many generations. Today, La Capillita del Santo Nino de Atocha still exists in Dona Ana, New Mexico, and still maintained by the Abeyta Family.
The Image of our Blessed Mother in this capillita is the Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel. She is the Blessed Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. She will pray for all who ask and assist you in your necessity.
This Capillita of our Blessed Mother is dedicated to all mothers and all our ancestors who gave to us the beautiful faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. it was also built in memory of our beloved family who have gone before us to the Kingdom of Heaven -- Fred, Freddie and Bernice Baca and Alice and Becky Sandoval.
La Capillita was built with the help of many friends -- Willie Lucero, Jimmy Gonzales, Mario Santiago, Will Mora, Jose and Olga Delgado, Rufio and Emma Misquez, and our family -- Jack and Veronica Siamu Family, Gabriel and Minerva Sandoval Family, Yvette Sandoval and children, and Isriel and Samuel Sandoval.
The beautiful cross was graciously hand-carved and donated by Jim and Prescilla Schaefer of El Rito, New Mexico. the Tabernacle was graciously donated by our loving mother, Alice Sandoval. The Holy Bible was a gift from my sister (Yolanda Baca Romero) and her family in 1973. Saint Jude (from the Capillita del Santo Nino de Atocha in Dona Ana) was donated by the Abeyta Family. Other religious items are gifts from visitors of the capillita.
La Capillita was blessed by Deacon Gilbert Valverde in December 1997 and again in march 1999 by Father Gallegos. Our first Mass was served by Father Albert Gallegos, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Peralta, New Mexico, on Holy Wednesday March 31, 1999.
Our wishes are that this Capillita bring peace to all who enter and share in our Blessed faith of Jesus and His Most Holy Mother.
JESUS LOVES YOU
Directions: North of Belen on Highway 47, turn east on Tomé Hill Road. Just before the parking lot on the west end of Tomé Hill, turn north on a dirt road on the east bank of a canal. Follow this canal road approximately one half mile to the chapel. The dirt road is passable to passenger cars except in wet weather. The chapel is accessed through an unlocked gate in a fence; the chapel is on private property but a sign on the fence says the chapel is always open.
Last visited: April 2010.
Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.