local
Historic Rio Grande Valley church saved from being cut off behind border wall
By Texas Tribune at MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News
· July 10, 2026
· 4 min read
By BERENICE GARCIA | TEXAS TRIBUNE
MISSION — A historic chapel that served as the basis for the city’s name will no longer lie behind a border wall as community leaders and church officials initially feared.
The future of La Lomita Chapel, which sits near the Rio Grande, came into question amid p...
Key takeaway Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo, who said he’s been trying to protect specific sites along the border from border wall construction.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The revised border wall plans that will spare La Lomita Chapel from being isolated behind the wall bring relief to McAllen residents who value the Rio Grande Valley's historic and cultural heritage. This chapel, which played a significant role in the city of Mission's naming, is not just a local landmark but also a symbol of the region's rich history. The fact that the wall will now be constructed behind the chapel and closer to the river is a testament to the efforts of community leaders and officials like U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who have worked to protect the Valley's significant sites from the wall's impact. However, concerns about potential flooding due to the wall's proximity to the river remain, and McAllen residents will be watching closely to see how these plans unfold and whether the legacy rider added to the appropriations language for 2027 will provide lasting protection for the Valley's historic areas.
About this story
Original reporting by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? By BERENICE GARCIA | TEXAS TRIBUNE
MISSION — A historic chapel that served as the basis for the city’s name will no longer lie behind a border wall as community leaders and church officials initially feared.
The future of La Lomita Chapel, which sits near the Rio Grande, came into question amid p...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune at MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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