La Capilla de Santa Maria

La Capilla de Santa Maria, A Spiritual Tapestryis a history of the first Spanish-speaking parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina and of the pioneer family that built Saint Mary's Chapel, which became its home. It chronicles the dramatic demographic change that took place from 1990 to 2010 as Latinos went from getting a negligible mention in the census of Henderson County, where Santa Maria is located, to being 10 percent of the county's population. It explores the challenges Latino immigrants faced then and now, and also their economic impact. It examines how Latino immigration and U.S. immigration policy have impacted the local agricultural community, the local education system, local law enforcement and local agencies. It is also the story of how a caring religious community can be the hands, feet and voice of Christ in the world. Outreach to Latino immigrants is a timely subject for all churches and others may well be able to learn from the successes and failures recorded herein. But perhaps most importantly, this is a story that captures much of what makes the United States a great and unique nation despite the inevitable struggles that change brings.