Senecú Mission was founded in 1682 by the Piro Indian refugees from old Senecú Pueblo (south of Albuquerque, New Mexico). They established their new pueblo (known as Senecú del Sur) several leagues downriver from Guadalupe del Paso and a little northwest of the Tigua Indians of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. Senecú Mission was dedicated to San Antonio de Padua (Ysleta and Senecú have the same patron saint). Since the late 1800s, the Piro Indians intermarried with the surrounding population and have lost their tribal identify, although their descendants still live in the community.

The old church was located near the river and was rebuilt as result of frequent floods (1740, 1829-1833). The present structure is relatively recent (perhaps built in the 1880's).

Off the Tourists' Beaten Path and Hard-to-Find

Although located in the vicinity of the upscale Campestre District, it is seldom visited by tourists and is very difficult to find. Adjacent to the modern church is the Asilo de los Ancianos (Asylum for Senior Citizens). Senecu Mission is not visited by guided tour groups. The site of the old mission and pueblo is located to the east (near the river) and includes a community cemetery (not recommended to visit either because it is most difficult to locate).

Feast Day

The feast day of the Senecú Mission is June 13th (Saint Anthony's Day) and includes a morning mass.