Cotija de la Paz

[2] Cotija is the birthplace of several religious figures, including Saint Rafael Guízar Valencia and Father Marcial Maciel.

The Reverend Jose Romero places the founding between 1575 and 1576,[citation needed] in a site called Cotixa, which was situated near the Rio Claro (Clear River), Mr. Melchor Manzo de Corona built what became the first Spanish settlement in the region.

A primitive chapel was constructed in honor of Our Lady of the Pópolo, where a flea market (tianguis) was held on Sundays.

By 1730, the chapel of the Rincon de Cotixa had a standing priest, but baptisms, marriages, and burials were not allowed.

Marks Ramirez of the Prado, gave permission to the chapel of the Rincon de Cotixa to perform ecclesiastical burials.