Patrick Scarpitti
This weeks Take Us Along winner is Patrick Scarpitti of Grandville, Ohio. He took West Ohio Auto & RV along on a trip to Santa Fe, N.M., and is shown in the town square with the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis in the background as he poses with a copy of West Ohio Auto & RV.
In 1598, Franciscan Friars entered what is now the state of New Mexico, migrating north from Mexico City. The city of Santa Fe was founded in 1610. It is the oldest capital city in the United States.
The towns square is not unlike many New Mexico town squares. It features a public park and on most days a number of venders selling their wares. This includes Native Americans and local artists selling jewelry and other crafts.
It was also in 1610 that the first church was built in Santa Fe. It was small and made of adobe. In 1630 it was replaced by a larger church, which was destroyed by an Indian revolt in 1680. The Spanish were driven out of the area but returned 13 years later. It wasnt, however, until 1714 that a new church, named in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, was built. Part of this church has been incorporated in todays basilica. Construction on a cathedral began in 1869. The building was dedicated in 1887 and remains in use today, having been elevated to a basilica in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI.
Thanks for taking us along!