Hello I want to tell you a little bit about my family history here in New Mexico. We now have eight generations that have lived in Black Lake, just south of Angel Fire. The excitement we feel about getting a Catholic Church built in the area is indescribable. Since the 1800’s that my family has lived here we have had to travel at least 20 miles to attend mass. Up until last year, we had Mass on Saturdays in Eagle Nest at St. Mel’s. That’s a 20-mile drive for us and in the winter-time it can be quite scary with icy, snow-packed roads. About a year or so ago (we're 2/2010 now), a retired priest, Monsignor Culotta, was allowed to conduct mass at the United Church of Angel Fire. When Monsignor went back to Texas, our Pastor, Father John Cannon began conducting services for us on Saturdays at the Angel Fire Community Center. Before our area was assigned to Eagle Nest, I believe sometime in the 1950’s, we were part of San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos, about 32 miles away, so many of the weddings and baptisms were held there. So up until recently, the travel to attend services has always been extensive.

My family has lived in Black Lake since the mid 1800's.  My great-great-grandfather (my paternal Grandma's paternal grandfather) Macario Trujillo and my great-great-grandmother Erinea (Sandoval) homesteaded land in "upper" Black Lake (just south of Angel Fire). We know they were both born in New Mexico, but not sure exactly where. My Grandma Esther Trujillo (Tafoya) used to say that her grandmother Erinea Sandoval told her that she "had come from Spain in the womb", so we know she was born somewhere in New Mexico.

My paternal Grandma's mother, (my great-grandmother), Marianita Trujillo was born in Black Lake 1871 and later married my Great-Grandfather, Mariano Tafoya from Taos. They lived in Black Lake their entire lives and had nine children, all born in Black Lake, one of which was my Grandmother, Esther Tafoya born in 1905, who later married my Grandfather, Juan Trujillo, also born in Black Lake June 16, 1894. Great Grandfather Mariano Tafoya donated land for a church and I'm not sure what year it was built, but it eventually burned down and the current San Antonio Chapel was built to replace it in 1936. The priests from either Taos (Ranchos de Taos) or Mora would come to celebrate Mass in Black Lake.  The picture above is my great-grandparents holding my brother, Lorenzo and my cousins Gloria and Margaret Tafoya (their granddaughters) are also there. The picture was taken in 1942. Marianita died in 1951 and he passed away about three years later.