Chavez, Angelico, 1910-1996

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Chavez was a Franciscan friar and a prominent New Mexican historian and writer. He wrote 24 books and also cataloged the archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

From the description of Fray Angelico Chavez collection, 1929-1996. (Museum of New Mexico Library). WorldCat record id: 37396676

Franciscian friar and writer, born at Wagon Mound, New Mexico, 1910.

From the description of Angelico Chavez papers, ca. 1950-1982. (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 21371043

Fray Angelico Chavez (1910-1996), born Manuel Ezequiel Chavez, was a native New Mexican Franciscan priest, historian, author, and artist who cataloged the archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

From the description of Fray Angelico Chavez collection of New Mexico historical documents, 1678-1913 (bulk, 1689-1811). (Santa Fe Public Library). WorldCat record id: 38171189

Angélico Chávez was born 1910 in Wagon Mound, New Mexico and died 1996 in Santa Fe. He was a Franciscan friar and a prominent New Mexican historian and writer. He wrote 24 books and also cataloged the archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

From the guide to the Fray Angélico Chávez Collection, 1929-1996, (New Mexico History Museum. Fray Angélico Chávez History Library.)

Fray Angélico Chavez. Part of the K. (Katherine) Wood Pictorial Collection PICT 000-596 (Box 1, Folder 6).

Fray Angélico Chavez was born on April 10, 1910 at Wagon Mound, New Mexico. He was the eldest of ten children born to Don Fabian Chavez and Do?a Nicholasa Roybal whose families have long ties to northern New Mexico. He was christened Manuel Ezequiel Chavez and spent most of his early life in Mora, New Mexico.

From early on Chavez was interested in the Franciscan way of life, he particularly wished to follow in the footsteps of the missionary workers. In 1924, at the age of fourteen, he entered the Franciscan Seminary (Cincinnati, Ohio) to begin his training. In 1929 he received his Franciscan habit and the name Fray Angélico (after a medieval Dominican painter) because of his artistic talent. After serving a very short novitiate period, he was enrolled in Duns Scotus College in Detroit. He was graduated in 1933 taking his solemn vows in the Franciscan Order. His theological training followed in the House of Theology (Olderburg, Indiana) and culminated in his ordination in St. Francis Cathedral (Santa Fe) in 1937. According to Phyllis Morales, he has the distinction of being the first native New Mexican ordained into the Franciscan Order.1

Because of his superior ability to write and excellent comprehension of theological matters, Chavez was urged by his superiors to further his studies by either attending Oxford University or advanced theological training in Rome. But, he was determined to return to New Mexico to do missionary work. His wish was granted and he was assigned to the village of Pe?a Blanca. His duties also led him to minister to surrounding communities as well. Cerrillos and the Indian pueblos of Santo Domingo, Cochiti, San Felipe and Jemez were a few in his care. Throughout those years he also toured the state in grueling preaching tours specifically aimed at the Spanish-speaking parishes where he was always welcome. All the while he was continuing with his writing and extensive research which greatly contributed to the history of this region. This creative talent within him remains a major influence through his life and certainly follows in the pattern of many other priests and monks. Fray Chavez served for over thirty years as a Franciscan priest in New Mexico retiring in 1972 from parish work to pursue some personal interests.

While he was the happiest ministering to the people of New Mexico, he was called upon to serve in the Army in both World War II (1943-1946) and the Korean War (1950-1952). He served with distinction and was honorably discharged with the rank of Major.

Fray Chavez has travelled extensively, specifically for research purposes. He holds honorary degrees from the University of New Mexico (1947 and 1974) and from the University of Albuquerque (1963). He has been recognized for his work in the arts and has served on many local and national organizations for the promotion of art and history.

After his retirement as the appointed archivist (1975-1982) for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe he continued to research and write.

From the guide to the Angélico Chavez Research Papers, 1950-1982, (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Chavez, Angelico, 1910-1996. Fray Angelico Chavez collection of New Mexico historical documents, 1678-1913 (bulk, 1689-1811). New Mexico State Library
referencedIn Witter Bynner papers, 1829-1965. Houghton Library
referencedIn Chavez, Consuelo. Consuelo and Nora Chavez collection, 1927-1996. Museum of New Mexico Library
creatorOf Chavez, Angelico, 1910-1996. New Mexico roots ltd : a demographic perspective from genealogical, historical and geographic data found in the diligencias matrimoniales or pre-nuptial investigations (1678-1869) of the Archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe : multiple data extracted and here edited in a uniform presentation by years and family surnames / by Fray Angelico Chavez. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
referencedIn Cynthia Farah Writers of the Southwest Photograph Collection, 1980-1988 The University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for SouthwestResearch
referencedIn Fabian Chávez, Sr. collection 1879-1915. Museum of New Mexico Library
creatorOf Angélico Chávez Letters, 1989-1992 Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, New Mexico History Museum.
referencedIn Haines, Cynthia Farah, 1949-. Cynthia Farah Writers of the Southwest Photograph Collection [picture]. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
referencedIn Fletcher, John Gould, 1886-1950. John Gould Fletcher collections 1881-1960 (bulk 1911-1960). University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, University Libraries
creatorOf Chavez, Angelico, 1910-1996. Angelico Chavez papers, ca. 1950-1982. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
referencedIn Fabian Chavez, Sr. Collection, 1879-1915 The Palace of the Governors, Fray Angélico Chávez History Library.
creatorOf Chavez, Antonio L. Antonio and Marilyn Chavez letters, 1948. Museum of New Mexico Library
creatorOf Angélico Chavez Research Papers, 1950-1982 The University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for SouthwestResearch
creatorOf Chavez, Angelico, 1910-1996. Angelico Chavez letters, 1989-1992. Museum of New Mexico Library
creatorOf Fray Angélico Chávez Collection, 1929-1996 Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, New Mexico History Museum.
creatorOf Chavez, Angelico, 1910-1996. Fray Angelico Chavez collection, 1929-1996. Museum of New Mexico Library
creatorOf Chavez, Angelico, 1910-1996. New Mexico roots ltd [electronic resource] : a demographic perspective from genealogical, historical and geographic data found in the diligencias matrimoniales or pre-nuptial investigations (1678-1869) of the Archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe : multiple data extracted and here edited in a uniform presentation by years and family surnames / by Fray Angelico Chavez. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
referencedIn Antonio and Marilyn Chávez Letters, 1948 Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, New Mexico History Museum.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Anza, Juan Bautista de, 1735-1788. person
associatedWith Belt, Marie, 1924- person
correspondedWith Bynner, Witter, 1881-1968 person
associatedWith Catholic Church corporateBody
associatedWith Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Santa Fe. corporateBody
associatedWith Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Chavez, Antonio L. person
associatedWith Chavez, Consuelo. person
associatedWith Chavez family. family
associatedWith Chavez, Jr., Fabian person
associatedWith Chávez, Thomas E. person
associatedWith Cofradia de Nuestra Senora de La Conquistadora. corporateBody
associatedWith Dalí, Salvador, 1904-1989. person
associatedWith Farah, Cynthia, 1949- person
associatedWith Fergusson, Erna, 1888-1964. person
correspondedWith Fletcher, John Gould, 1886-1950. person
associatedWith Franciscans corporateBody
associatedWith Grillo, Frederick L. person
associatedWith Grillo, Frederick L. person
associatedWith Haines, Cynthia Farah, 1949- person
associatedWith Horgan, Paul, 1903-1995. person
associatedWith Hurd, Peter, 1904-1984. person
associatedWith Mares, Erineo. person
associatedWith Montezuma Hotel (Santa Fe, N.M.) corporateBody
associatedWith Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, 1929-1994. person
associatedWith Pino, Miguel E. person
associatedWith Virgin of Port Llegat corporateBody
associatedWith Wilder, Thornton, 1875-1975 person
associatedWith Wilder, Thornton, 1897-1975. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New Mexico
New Mexico--Santa Fe
New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico--Santa Fe
Wagon Mound (N.M.) - History
Subject
Authors, American
Authors, American
Archives, Diocesan
Archives, Diocesan New Mexico Santa Fe
Church records and registers
Church records and registers New Mexico
Family archives New Mexico
Hispanic Americans
Hispanic Americans New Mexico Genealogy
Historians
Historians
Indians of North America
Marriage records
Mexican Americans
Mexican Americans New Mexico Genealogy
Pueblo Indians
Pueblo Indians Genealogy
Spanish Americans New Mexico Genealogy
Occupation
Collector
Activity

Person

Birth 1910-04-10

Death 1996-03-18

Americans

English,

Spanish; Castilian

Information

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