About four weeks ago, a sandstone rock sign mysteriously appeared on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nambé.

The west side of the rock sign, which rests in concrete between the church and N.M. 503, reads: Nambe, and the east side of the rock reads: Pojoaque.

Many people in the area think the sign is meant to indicate the borderline between the two communities.

Traditionally, the culturally accepted borderline has been Wooley's Arroyo, which is approximately one-half mile west of the rock sign on 503.

"I don't know why but Wooley's Arroyo has been the border between Nambé and Pojoaque ever since I can remember," said Orlando Romero, who has lived in the area for 62 years.

S.R. Skaggs, a 36-year resident of Nambé, is the man behind the sign. Skaggs said he realizes the sign is not the exact border but, "If we would have placed the sign at the exact borderline, it would have been too near the highway," he said. "It would have been a hazardous place that might have caused accidents."

Earl Wright, a geographic information systems analyst with Santa Fe County, confirmed Skaggs' measurement.

"The border between Nambé and Pojoaque is a couple hundred feet from the west side of the church," Wright said, citing a U.S. Geological Survey.

Frank Demolli, general counsel for the Pueblo of Pojoaque, said surveys in 1856 and 1916 located the border approximately 100 yards west of the church.

Carl Berney, a Nambé sculptor, said Skaggs asked him to carve and paint the 3-foot-by-5-foot rock and he agreed because he thought it was a good idea.

Berney said Skaggs received permission from the Rev. Flavio Santillanes, pastor at Sacred Heart, before erecting the sign.

Santillanes initially denied any knowledge of who put up the sign because he promised Skaggs to keep it anonymous. In a later conversation, Santillanes said, "Yes, I gave him permission to put the sign on church property."

Juanita Misere, a Sacred Heart Church parishioner and Nambé resident, said the sign is a beautiful work of art, but it's inappropriate.

"First of all, where the sign is placed makes it look like it marks the boundary line, which is does not," she said. "Secondly, I don't think it belongs on church grounds because it's a sacred place."

Contact John Knoll at johnknoll77@hotmail.com.