Our History

The roots of the Diocese of Las Cruces trace back to 1581, when Franciscan missionaries traveled the Camino Real through southern New Mexico. At the time, the region was sparsely populated by semi-nomadic Native tribes. 

For generations, missionary activity and settlement passed through Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Paso del Norte, present-day Juárez. Ecclesiastical oversight shifted over time, moving from Guadalajara to Durango, though the area remained remote and largely uncharted until formal episcopal visits began in the 1700s.

Early Catholic life in Doña Ana, Mesilla, and Las Cruces was sustained by circuit-riding priests who traveled from El Paso to administer the Sacraments. By the mid-1800s, permanent churches were established in these communities, though only Mesilla had a resident priest for several years. 

As settlement expanded, additional parishes formed across southern New Mexico, reflecting steady growth despite limited resources and long distances between communities. Jurisdiction continued to evolve into the twentieth century, with southern New Mexico moving from Tucson to El Paso, and finally to the creation of the Diocese of Las Cruces in 1982. 

Today, the diocese stands on a rich foundation shaped by Indigenous cultures, Spanish exploration, and generations of faithful communities. This history continues to define a distinct identity rooted in perseverance, service, and faith.

Between 2013 and 2019, the Diocese of Las Cruces was led through a period of transition by several bishops, including Bishop Ricardo Ramírez, Bishop Oscar Cantú, and Apostolic Administrator Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas.

In 2019, Bishop Peter Baldacchino was appointed as the third Bishop of Las Cruces. Today, Bishop Baldacchino continues to guide the diocese with steady leadership, pastoral care, and a strong commitment to serving the faithful across southern New Mexico.