Jemez Historic Site just north of Jemez Springs 7 a.m. sunrise service, with the Jemez Valley Baptist Church, the Jemez Mountain Baptist Church, the Jemez Springs Community Presbyterian Church and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church participating. Photo by Matthew J. Barbour, manager, Jemez Historic Site

Easter Service this morning at the Jemez Site (Jemez State Monument). Photo by Matthew J. Barbour

By SUSAN BURRITT

Easter Sunday events at the Jemez Historic Site (formerly Jemez State Monument) just north of Jemez Springs began today with a 7 a.m. sunrise service, with the Jemez Valley Baptist Church, the Jemez Mountain Baptist Church, the Jemez Springs Community Presbyterian Church and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church participating.

At 10 a.m., rangers began leading a hike up Oak Canyon (a.k.a. Church Canyon). This is a strenuous hike of about 1.5 miles over rough terrain and hikers are told to bring water, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a sack lunch. Rangers do their best to identify the species of flora and fauna encountered.

Both events were free and open to the public.

The Jemez site contains stone ruins of a 500-year-old pueblo village known as Giusewa and the ruins of a Spanish mission, the San Jose de los Jemez church, which dates to 1621. The state monuments were “rebranded” as historic sites and received new signs reflecting the name change early this year. The governor signed the measure into law last March.

The site is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and is closed Monday and Tuesday, and three holidays: New Year’s, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Admission is $3, free for children age 16 or younger, and free on Sundays for New Mexico residents with identification, and also each Wednesday for New Mexico seniors with identification.