Family Histories: The Ortega Family

The family of Fernando and Sara Ortega arrived in Florence in 1915, fleeing the Mexican Revolution, during which Poncho Villa had burned all of Mr. Ortega’s business interests in a wheat mill.

The family resided in various homes until 1920, when the family moved into the "convento", now known as the Gila Chapel on the East Side of the present day church. Fernando Ortega, for the next 10 years, would serve as the parish handy-man and moved out in 1930, having built his own residence at that time. One of Mr. Ortega’s duties during that 10 year stint as handy-man was assuring and replacing carbide lamps, which were used to light the church. A lamp exploded and burned Mr. Ortega about the upper torso, but he recovered completely due to prompt medical attention and prayers.

The parish priests, at that time, were predominately of the Carmelite order and were from Spain. The parish priest duties to the laity were basically centered around the August 15 celebration to the parish patroness, the Virgin Mother. The month of May was dedicated to the Virgin Mother also, with daily evening rosaries and a flower procession by the young girls of the parish, where they offered clutches of flowers to the Virgin during the rosary. Catechism was taught for a half hour daily, after school, by the parish priest, and all students were in awe of him and behaved extremely well, as discipline was paramount in these classes.

The priests, in those days, were strict disciplinarians and conveyed this to their students and flock very well. The Ortega family numbered eleven (11) sons and daughters. Some were teachers, nurses and private secretaries. Four of the sons served with the armed forces and lost one during that time. The family was closely tied to the catholic religion and their devotion is prevalent to this day.

Bert B. Ortega

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