Reprint from the Progress Times - May 7, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

La Lomita Chapel To Be Renovated
Mission Plans Restoration For City Centennial

By Kathy Olivarez

La Lomita Chapel, the icon for the City of Mission, will be renovated this year just in time for the City of Mission Centennial Celebration in 2008.

Steve Tillotsen, architect with Kell Munoz in San Antonio, will be in charge of the renovation. Tillotsen, who specializes in historical renovations, met with the Mission Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC) on Thursday, April 26, to discuss plans for the renovation.

The projected cost of the renovation is $278,499. The city has set aside $150,000 from its hotel/motel tax revenues for the project and the Catholic Diocese will contribute approximately $50,000. It will be necessary to raise additional funding for completion of the project.

He began by giving MHPC a run down on the history of the chapel. Although the current belief is that the chapel was built in the later part of the 19th century, Tillotsen said the architecture is more in line with 18th century architecture. The walls are built with stacks of river stones where small rocks are stuck between larger rocks and the cracks were filled in with hay and mud. When the walls were completed they were covered with a permeable limestone covering.

This is the style of architecture found in some of the original settlements of the Spanish settlers who came with Jose de Escandon in 1751. Perhaps the best known is old Guerrero, which was under water after Falcon Dam was built over 50 years ago. During the recent drought the water level receded and the old buildings could once again be seen. The water had washed away some of the outside plaster on the old buildings revealing this type of architecture. Tillotsen said the chapel is further south along the river than any other building he has seen that uses this architecture. He believes the building at the very least predates the Civil War.

Porcion 57, the land on which the chapel resides was granted to the Cantu family as early as 1767. In 1842 the land was purchased by a Bradburn along with Porcion 56. In 1845, a Frenchman named Guyard purchased the land.

In 1851, the Oblate Fathers, who answered the call to minister along the Rio Grande River, set up a permanent residence in Brownsville and began their ministry along the 300 river miles inland to Roma, a driving distance of about 120 miles today. There were 65 ranches along their route. Guyard’s property marked the halfway mark. The small chapel on his property was used by the Oblate Fathers. When Guyard died in 1861, he willed Porciones 57 and 55 to the Oblates. The priests expanded their operation at La Lomita and built residences, a small store and other buildings on site. A post office was located on site.

In 1907, the majority of the land from the Porciones was sold to those who incorporated Mission. In 1908, when the post office was moved from La Lomita to Mission, a distance of four miles, the settlement began a decline. In 1912, the Oblates built St. Peter’s Novitiate on the hill nearby and moved their operations to that site. The chapel was then restored and dedicated as the Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

A hurricane in 1933 afflicted heavy damage on the chapel and it was once again repaired in 1939. Through the years the chapel has remained as an icon of the city, from which it gets it name. In 1976, it was restored for the nations 200th birthday but today it is again in serious need of repair as the siding used in the 1976 renovation was not water permeable and has been falling off exposing the rock walls.

During renovation the walls will be repaired. The non-permeable wall covering used in the last renovation will be removed and the walls will be repaired. Then a lime-based wall covering similar to what was originally used will be placed back on the walls. A form of moisture protection will be built into the walls to help prevent future erosion of the chapel walls

The roof will have to be removed and replaced. The current roof does not meet the specifications for today’s roofing requirements. Tillotsen said every effort will be made to preserve the character of the current roof such as the uneven placement of rafters. But the support beams will have to be larger than those in the current building to meet the building standards. A new belfry will also be constructed.

It was his suggestion that the wood from the roof be made into crosses with the Oblate brand placed on it. These crosses, made from the wood in the original roof, can be sold to people across the Valley who appreciate the proud history of the Oblate Fathers. The revenues could be used for the renovation project.

New window sashes and new wood shutters are planned along with restoration of the doors. A special product that cleans brick will be applied to the floors to remove the layers of dirt.

Other plans call for restoration of the altar and of the pews. Tillotsen would like to see the natural wood of the existing pews show instead of paint so that they will blend with the wood in the altar and the roof after restoration.

The bid for restoration should be let in May or early June and work will commence as soon as possible. The project will be bid in such a way that the city can pick the workmen most qualified to do the work instead of the lowest bidder. Tillotsen believes the project will take about six months depending on the weather. If the weather is good and there are no long delays for materials, the project could be completed earlier.

The architect also recommended that the city get archaeological surveys done on the site. Tillotsen felt an archaeological survey would be useful in getting further grants for additional renovations in the future. Because there were once other buildings at the site, he would like to locate the floors of these buildings and restore them in future renovations. Historical markers could show what types of buildings once existed on the site and the floors could be used for a variety of purposes.

New landscaping is also needed but not included in the planned restoration. Tillotsen said in some areas the grass is bare because people do not stay on the sidewalks. If small colorful plants such as lantana were planted, people would be less likely to step off the sidewalks. It would serve a double purpose, as lantana is a butterfly host plant and would attract butterflies - and butterfly watchers - to the park.

Another idea Tillotsen suggested was planting a small bosque or group of trees along the rise in front of the chapel. Members of the MHPC suggested research be done to determine just how many Oblate Fathers rode the circuits between Brownsville and Roma. If the number was not too great, a tree could be planted in honor of each of the priests with a small placard bearing his name and the years he served.

Other MHPC members suggested that a walking trail with benches and perhaps small planters of flowers next to the benches could be placed along the trail. The benches could be purchased and dedicated to loved ones whom local residents wish to honor.

The desire of Tillotsen, the MHPC, and the Catholic Diocese in Brownsville, who approved the restoration project, is to honor the strong contribution to Valley history made by the priests who dedicated their lives to the spreading of Christianity throughout the Valley. When completed the site will be a proud reminder of Valley history for all citizens of Mission.