Ever since the earliest days of American conquest, Catholic priests traveled with conquerors. The conquerors came seeking wealth, but the priests came to spread the faith and convert the native inhabitants. In the winter of 1609-1610, Pedro de Peralta, Spanish Northern Territory governor, led colonists to the upper branch of the Rio Grande and established a capital named Santa Fe. During the following twenty years, Catholic mission stations extended throughout Pueblo settlements, ultimately creating a chain of scattered mission stations, forts, and ranches that were centers of transmission for Catholics and drove Spain's religious mission deep into North America.
