History:

Chilili was once an Indian pueblo.  A small Franciscan mission was built there around 1614. Many of the pueblo inhabitants were forced to flee the area between 1669 and 1676 because of Apache raids.  A small Spanish settlement was colonized north of the pueblo in the early nineteenth century, but drought caused may farmers to leave.  In 1841, about 20 families moved to the ruins of the old pueblo and obtained a land grant from the Mexican government which confirmed their ownership through the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo on February 12, 1848.  The Chilili church is called Capilla de San Juan Nepomuceno and is said to have been built in 1842.  An active penitente brotherhood existed in Chilili until the morada burned, around 1957.  Reminiscent of that brotherhood, penance is an important part of Lent and the Passion of Christ is re-enacted on Good Friday.  San Juan Nepomuceno’s fiesta is celebrated in August.

Mayordomos:

Frank and Virginia Gutierrez

Frank and Priscilla Torres

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