The Spanish Missions in New Mexico were a series of religious outposts in the Province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México — present day New Mexico. They were established by Franciscan friars under charter from the monarchs of the Spanish Empire and the government of the Viceroyalty of New Spain in a policy called Reductions to facilitate the conversion of Native Americans into Christianity. History They attempted to Hispanicize the indigenous peoples. The affected included the rich cultures and tribes of: many of the 21 distinct Puebloan groups; the Tiwa; the Navajo; and the Apache. The missions also aimed to pacify resistance to the European invasion of the tribes' Pre-Columbian homelands and loss of traditions. The missions introduced European livestock, fruits, vegetables, and small-scale industry into the Southwest region. They also introduced European diseases to which native people had little or no acquired immunity. Fray Marcos de Niza, sent by Coronado, first saw the area now known as New Mexico in 1539. The first permanent settlement was Mission San Gabriel, founded in 1598 by Juan de Oñate near what is now known as Okay Owingeh, formerly known as the San Juan Pueblo. Missions Noted churches that were not missions El Santuario de Chimayó - Site of an Easter pilgrimage by foot to this holy spot every year. Not a mission; founded c.1810 as a private chapel. San Francisco de Asís Mission Church - Church built between 1772 and 1816 and is located in the historic district of Ranchos de Taos. Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe - Founded c. 1777; believed to be nation's oldest shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Not a mission. See also On Spanish Missions in neighboring regions: Spanish missions in Arizona Spanish missions in Chihuahua and Coahuila Spanish missions in Texas Spanish missions in the Sonoran Desert (including Sonora and southern Arizona) On general missionary history: Catholic Church and the Age of Discovery List of the oldest churches in Mexico On colonial Spanish American history: Spanish colonization of the Americas California mission clash of cultures Genízaros External links The Old Missions of New Mexico, 1998 article, St. Anthony Messenger Sunlight and Adobe - Photographing New Mexico's Historic Missions New Mexico Photography Field School History, Archdiocese of Santa Fe Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Spanish Mission Churches of New Mexico, 1915 book by L. Bradford Prince Gran Quivira: A Blending of Cultures in a Pueblo