Misión de San José de los Duranes has been a mission church of the parish of San Felipe since the 1890’s.

History of the Community

Los Duranes was a small farming community founded by the Duran family c. 1750 along El Camino Real, the royal road from Chihuahua to Santa Fe. An official Spanish census in 1790 listed the Plaza del Señor San José de los Duranes, with 27 families, as one of six defined settlements north of Villa de Albuquerque de San Felipe, along with Los Candelarias, Los Griegos, Los Gallegos, Los Ranchos and Alameda. Drains and irrigation ditches (acequias) of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District form a network of informal pathways and an oasis in the desert throughout the valley adjacent to the Rio Grande. The early flooding that occurred in this area before the levees were built took away much of the historic architecture. A few of the early farm houses remain, some crumbling, some well preserved.

The Capilla de San Jose

This small square stuccoed terron (sod block) and adobe structure, a historic landmark, was built in the New Mexico Vernacular style around 1890. It served at the spiritual heart for the farming community until the 1960’s. In years of 1982 to 1984, community members undertook a restoration of the building, replacing damaged or missing pews, rails, and doors, plastering the walls, repairing holes, and reinstalling the original religious artwork including paintings of the Crucifixion and a santo depicting St. Joseph. It was listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties in 1983 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The Church in Use

Due to the housing boom after the Second World War, many houses began to appear and began to expand the population of the small community.  Soon after, it became clear that the Capilla of San Jose would no longer be satisfactory for the community of Los Duranes. A property in the northeast corner of the neighborhood was donated for the building of a new and larger church. This is the church that is still in use today by the Duranes community.

Join Us

The community of San Jose de los Duranes welcomes all to come a join them in worship on Saturdays at 6:00 PM and for evening Masses on high holydays.