From Gymnasium to Catholic Community

Church members remember where they used to worship and are appreciative of how far they have taken their parish.

Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community is one of the fastest growing Catholic churches in Santa Fe, N.M., with more than 2,200 families as registered members.

photo by: Kyla Proctor

The entrance to Santa Maria de la Paz

Its pastor, the Rev. Adam Lee Ortega y Ortiz, said that it’s not important that it is currently the largest church in Santa Fe but that it is the busiest.

The church has many groups and ministries that parishioners are able to take part in. Some ministries that Santa Maria has to offer are: a cancer support group, a finance council, a landscape committee, liturgical dancers, marriage preparation, religious education and the welcome committee.

"We have more than 100 ministries," Ortega y Ortiz said, "from a moms' group for mothers with newborns, to groups for seniors, and everything in between. Everyone is welcome at this community. We only ask that you commit to being a part of our work."

Holy Mary of the Peace
Roman Catholics started Santa Maria de la Paz, which in English means Holy Mary of the Peace, in Santa Fe’s growing south side in 1990. Archbishop, Robert Sanchez appointed Father Jerome Martinez y Alire to begin this church. The community met at Pinon Elementary, a local elementary school, for four years while funds were raised for a new church to be built. Church members gathered in a gymnasium and worshiped. The founding members would get there early each and every Saturday and Sunday to help set up the gym for mass.

“We would set up folding chairs and a temporary altar,” church parishioner Annette Bays said. “There was a group of faithful ones who would be there every weekend to set up and take down.”

The new building for Santa Maria de la Paz was complete and dedicated to the members in spring of 1994.

Santa Maria de le Pinon
“It was a special place,” Bays said. “We used to call it Santa Maria de la Pinon.”

There was a pilgrimage from Pinon to the new location on Richards Avenue. At the dedication, Archbishop Michael Sheehan blessed the church in front of the community of people.

The church began with 200 families and has grown to now be the largest church in Santa Fe. Santa Maria supports families of students attending Catholic schools in Santa Fe: Saint Michael’s High School and Santo Nino Elementary School. Santa Maria was the first parish in the Archdiocese that began an AIDS Support Group. It continues today as a support group for families and friends.
Santa Maria was also the first parish in the state to begin the Life Teen program dedicated directly to teens.
“I love teen mass,” member Brianna Surg said. “It’s cool to be around other teenagers. It makes it more fun.”

photo by: Kyla Proctor

Santa Maria de la Paz on a cloudy afternoon

New Leadership
Under the leadership of Father Jerome this program grew over the years and is a popular program for the Catholic teens in the community today.

In 2000, Father Jerome was assigned to become the Rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in downtown Santa Fe. Archbishop Sheehan appointed Santa Fe native, Father Adam Ortega to the position of pastor of Santa Maria.

Santa Maria welcomes new parishioners to join everyday of the week.

According to a story published in the Santa Fe New Mexican, a recently baptized 22-year-old has really enjoyed joining Santa Maria de la Paz. Joshua Sipes told the newspaper that he has found a "warm, loving community."

"This is the most fun-loving church I've ever seen," he told the newspaper.

"They're always celebrating life."

People interested in becoming a parishioner may stop by the church office during office hours or go to the Santa Maria de la Paz's Web site for more information.

Written March 12, 2009

Go to Top