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HOME MISSION BOARD MISSION COLLECTION

Series of the Home Mission Board Records

AR 631-16

Baptist church and school,

Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives

May, 2015

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HOME MISSION BOARD CUBA MISSION COLLECTION

Series of the Home Mission Board Records

AR 631-16

Summary Main Entry: Southern Baptist Convention. Home Mission Board. Cuba Mission Collection.

Date Span: 1960 – 1994

Abstract: Materials document the work of the Home Mission Board (HMB) in the four western during the revolution and post-revolution period. The collection is divided into two series – general files and property deeds. The general and subject files include architectural drawings, clippings, correspondence, annuals of the Baptist Conventions of Western Cuba, and historical information and pamphlets, with emphasis on the imprisonment and eventual release of HMB personnel Herbert Caudill and David Fite. The post-revolution period material documents the role of Oscar Romo and Baptist work in western Cuba and the work of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba. The property deeds, all in Spanish, provide information on more than 100 churches, schools, homes, and other buildings owned by the Home Mission Board in the country.

Size: 9 linear ft. (6 record center boxes)

Collection #: AR 631-16

Historical Sketch The Home Mission Board began work in Cuba in 1886. Work in the country expanded for about a decade, but by the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898, nearly all mission activity had been demoralized. At the close of the war, the Board entered an agreement, with the American Baptist Home Mission Society, under which the eastern half of Cuba was transferred to the Society and the western half was retained by the SBC’s Home Mission Board.

Southern Baptist work in Western Cuba flourished through the 1950s. In 1955, the Home Mission Board’s property value exceeded $1.5 million, and the Convention reported 508 baptisms in the four provinces of Western Cuba. Initially, Fidel Castro was greeted as a liberator, and freedom was enjoyed for a time. Religious activities were not abruptly terminated, but decrees progressively closed freedom’s doors. By 1961, many Christians had left the country. In April, 1965, HMB personnel Herbert Caudill and David Fite, along with fifty-three 3

other leaders, were imprisoned. In February, 1969, the Caudill and Fite families returned to the United States. In 1968, the Convention reported ninety churches, 6,667 members, and 161 baptisms. New work was almost impossible. Denominational meetings required government approval, and the clinic, assembly, and seminary enjoyed limited freedom. The work of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba did continue with limited support from the Home Mission Board and leadership of the Home Mission Board staffers Oscar Romo and others.

Scope and Content Note The Home Mission Board Cuba Mission Collection consists of materials that document the work of the Board in the four Western provinces of Cuba during an unsettled time of the country’s history. The collection is divided into two series: general files and property deeds. The general and subject files include architectural drawings, clippings, correspondence, annuals of the Baptist Conventions of Western Cuba, and historical information and pamphlets, with emphasis on the imprisonment and eventual release of HMB personnel Herbert Caudill and David Fite. The collection includes information on Baptist churches and mission work after the Cuban revolution. Oscar Romo, of the Home Mission Board, was closely involved with the continued work in Cuba in the 1970s and 1980s. The collection includes valuable information on the work and history of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba (Asociacion Convencion Bautista de Cuba Occidental). The historical material includes a History of the Baptist work in Cuba, by Leoncio G. Veguilla Cene. A variety of Cuban Baptist publications are part of the collection, including numerous copies of La Voz Bautista, 1982 – 1993. The collection also includes articles and a timeline on the history of Baptist work in Cuba. Several press releases from Baptist Press and the Religious News Service provide information on the unsettled situation in Cuba and imprisonment of Caudill and Fite. Most of the documents and correspondence is in Spanish.

The property deeds, all in Spanish, provide information on more than 100 churches, schools, homes, and other buildings owned by the Home Mission Board in the country. The original deeds were returned to the North American Mission Board, and copies were made for this collection.

Arrangement The collection is divided into two series – general files and property deeds. Items in the general/subject files series are arranged in alphabetical order by folder title. Property deeds are arranged in the original numerical order in which the deeds were transferred to the SBHLA.

Provenance Transferred from the North American Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention, 2005, 2014.

Preferred Citation Southern Baptist Convention. Home Mission Board. Cuba Mission Collection, Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee.

Access Restrictions None

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Subject Terms Caudill, Herbert, 1903 – Corder, Loyd, 1916 – Knight, Walker L., 1924 – Pollard, Ramsey, 1903 – 1984 Redford, Samuel Courts, 1898 – 1977 Romo, Oscar I.

Architecture. Asociacion Convencion Bautista de Cuba Occidental Baptist Convention of Western Cuba Baptist World Alliance Baptists – Cuba-History Baptists – Missions Missions – Cuba Political prisoners – Cuba Southern Baptist Convention. Home Mission Board – History Southern Baptist Convention – History – 20th century

Related Materials Southern Baptist Convention. Home Mission Board Series Records. SBHLA # AR 631 series.

Container List

Series 1: General Files

Box 1 1.1 Agape – Fraternidad de Iglesias Bautistas de Cuba, 1991 – 1992 1.2 Adult Bible lessons, 1989 1.3 Alemen, Cirilo – Biographical information 1.4 Annual meeting of Cuban Baptists – Caudill report, 1960 1.5 Asociacion Convencion Bautista de Cuba Occidental – Pastors and missionaries directory Pinar Del Rio and Havana Provinces, 1978 1.6 Annual of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1971 – 1976 1.7 Annual of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1977 – 1981 1.8 Annual of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1982 – 1987 1.9 Annual of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1984 – 1985 1.10 Annual of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1989, 1993 1.11 Architectural Drawings – Arroyo Apoto – Guasimal, 1960 1.12 Architectural Drawings – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba – Office, 1986 1.13 Architectural Drawings – Church and school project for Cuba Baptist Center – Arroyo Apolo 1.14 Architectural Drawings – Del Rio – Guanajay Pinar 1.15 Architectural Drawings – Havana – Baptist Church of Minamar, 1960 1.16 Architectural Drawings – Havana – Church, 1956 1.17 Architectural Drawings – Havana – El Cerro 5

1.18 Architectural Drawings – Havana – First Baptist Church 1.19 Architectural Drawings – Havana – Guanabadoa 1.20 Architectural Drawings – Havana – Guirade Melena 1.21 Architectural Drawings – Havana – Los Pinos 1.22 Architectural Drawings – Havana – McCall Church 1.23 Architectural Drawings – Havana – Tapaste 1.24 Architectural Drawings – Las Villas – Cien Fuegos 1.25 Architectural Drawings – Matanyas – Colon Baptist Church 1.26 Architectural Drawings – Matanyas – Cumba Baptist Church 1.27 Architectural Drawings – Matanyas – First Baptist Church 1.28 Architectural drawings – Matanyas – La Cumbre 1.29 Articles – Garnett, Christine, 1965 1.30 Articles – Knight, Walker L. – Cuban Baptist Work 1.31 Articles – Pena, Luis M. Gonzalez – This is our Truth: This is Cuba 1.32 Asociacion Convencion Bautista de Cuba Occidental 1.33 Asociacion Convencion Bautista de Cuba Occidental, 1986 1.34 Asociacion Convencion Bautista de Cuba Occidental – Work Plans, 1975 – 1978 1.35 Baptist Camp, 1981 – 1987 1.36 Baptist Church in Layano, Cuba 1.37 Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1969 – 1973 1.38 Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1973 1.39 Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1973 – 1974 1.40 Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1976 1.41 Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1982 – 1983 1.42 Baptist Convention of Western Cuba – General Assembly, 1988 1.43 Baptist Convention of Western Cuba – Report to Baptist World Alliance, 1975

Box 2 2.1 Baptist Convention of Western Cuba – Reports and information, 1975 2.2 Baptist Ministerial union of Western Cuba – Ministers Retirement Home, 1984 2.3 Baptist World Alliance, 1975 2.4 Baptist World Alliance, 1977 2.5 Baptist World Alliance, 1985 – 1989 2.6 The best offering as an example of good works in stewardship, 1987 2.7 Bible lessons for children and beginners, 1984 – 1993 2.8 Biographical – Caudill, Herbert 2.9 Biographical – Caudill, Herbert (Mrs.) 2.10 Calejo, Maria – Death, 1988 2.11 Calendar and work plans – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1988 2.12 Call for a special meeting under Article 90 of the current bylaws of the Calvary Baptist Church in Havana, April, 1977 2.13 Canada – Cuba – US – Consultation, 1989 2.14 Castro, Fidel – Interview with EFE News Agency, 1985 2.15 Children Union programs, 1989 2.16 Christian Education – Fiftieth Anniversary Year, 1988 2.17 Christmas Programs, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983 6

2.18 Church Growth in Cuba, 1970 – 1980 2.19 Circular letters to the Baptist churches in Western Cuba, 1980s 2.20 Clippings, 1961 – 1987 2.21 Clippings – Caudill, Herbert, 1947 – 1987 2.22 Clippings – Fite, David, 1967 – 1969 2.23 Confession of Faith – Reformed Presbyterian Church in Cuba, 1978 2.24 Contract – Bible reprints – M. N. McCall, 1920 2.25 Contributions of Churches to the Cuba Convention, 1977 2.26 Convention Leaders, 1935 – 1963 2.27 Convention Reports, 1979 – 1980 2.28 Correo Bautista, 1987 – 1992 2.29 Correspondence – Baptist World Alliance, 1976 2.30 Correspondence – Caudill, Herbert, 1960 – 1984 2.31 Correspondence – Corder, Loyd, 1963 2.32 Correspondence – Fite, David (Mrs.), 1960 2.33 Correspondence – General, 1988 – 1989 2.34 Correspondence – Knight, Walker, 1960 – 1967 2.35 Correspondence – Pollard, Ramsey, 1961 2.36 Correspondence – Redford, Courtz, 1962 – 1963 2.37 Correspondence – Romo, Oscar, 1978 – 1984 2.38 Correspondence – Romo, Oscar, 1986 – 1987 2.39 Correspondence – Romo, Oscar, 1986 – 1988 2.40 Correspondence – Romo, Oscar, 1988 – 1989 2.41 Correspondence – Romo, Oscar, 1988 – 1989 2.42 Correspondence – Romo, Oscar, 1989 – 1991 2.43 Correspondence – Romo, Oscar, 1991 – 1994 2.44 Course of study and material for Christian education, 1981 – 1982

Box 3 3.1 Cuba for Christ: 100 years of Baptist work in Western Cuba, 1882 – 1982; Leoncio G. Veguilla Cene 3.2 Cuba – General Articles 3.3 Cuba – Imprisonment of Baptist missionaries and pastors, 1965 3.4 Cuba – Imprisonment of missionaries and Cuban Baptists, 1965 3.5 Cuban Trip – Palmer and Romo, 1978 3.6 Cuban Trip – Kammerdiener and Romo, 1987 3.7 Cuban Conference, 1976 3.8 Cuban Pastors – Florida, 1992 3.9 Cuban Refugees in Spain – Reports and information, 1976 3.10 Cuban Video 3.11 Department of Bible Teaching Report, 1986 3.12 Department of Christian Education – Cuba, 1979 – 1982 3.13 Department of Christian Education, 1983 3.14 Department of Christian Education, 1986 – 1987 3.15 Department of Christian Education – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1989 3.16 Department of Evangelism, 1987 7

3.17 Department of Christian Education of Baptists in Western Cuba – Third Part 3.18 Directory – Asociacion Convencion Bautista de Cuba Occidental, 1982, 1988 3.19 Easter Programs, 1976 – 1983 3.20 Emmanuel Baptist Church, of Cruces, 3.21 Executive Committee, 1984 3.22 Financial Reports / Information, 1972 – 1975 3.23 Financial Reports / Information, 1980 – 1988 3.24 First Convention of Christian Evangelism and Stewardship Education, 1988 3.25 First Interconventional Baptist Meeting, 1985 3.26 Future Plans – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1984 3.27 Handbook for Ministers – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1988

Box 4 4.1 Historical development of Christian education among Baptists of Western Cuba – Leoncio GermanVeguilla Cene (dissertation), 1983 4.2 Historical development of Christian education among Baptists of Western Cuba - Leoncio German Veguilla Cene (dissertation), 1983 – copy 2 4.3 History of the Baptist work in Cuba – by Leoncio G. Veguilla Cene, 1988 4.4 Hymns of the month, 1989 4.5 “The Ideal Minister for Cuba Today” 4.6 Infant Bible lessons, 1989 4.7 International Cuba – “Fidel and Religion,” 1986 4.8 Inventory of Baptist Property in Cuba, 1978 4.9 Issues discussed at the last Board of the Baptist Convention of Cuba meeting held Sept. 2-5, 1986 4.10 Journals – Cuba, 1983 – 1984 4.11 Latin America Refugee Relief – Home Mission Board, 1970 4.12 London report on Cuban prisoners, 1966 4.13 Manuals – Convention, 1980 – 1984 4.14 Manuals for church development, 1979 4.15 Manuals – Seminary classes 4.16 Map (poster) 4.17 Map – Cuba – List of Baptist churches 4.18 Minutes – Delivery of Prisoner – Hubert Caudill, 1966 4.19 Missionary heritage in Cuba 4.20 Music Department – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba 4.21 Naranjo, Abel – Resume 4.22 News Stories – Cuba 4.23 Newsletters / publications 4.24 Nueva Antorcha, La, 1987 4.25 Ochoa, Arnaldo – Drug trafficking report, 1989 4.26 Officers meeting, 1986 – 1987 4.27 Pamphlets on Cuba and Home Mission work 4.28 Passport Information 4.29 Photographs 4.30 Picture Sheet – Home Mission Board 8

4.31 Plans and calendar – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1984 4.32 Plans and calendar of activities – BCWC, 1988

Box 5 5.1 Prayer calendar, 1988 5.2 Press releases, 1960 – 1963 5.3 Press releases – Baptist Press, 1961 – 1969 5.4 Press releases – Religious News Service, 1960 – 1963 5.5 Prisma, Sept., 1981 5.6 Program manual – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1983 5.7 Programs – Annual Convention, 1988 5.8 Projections, timetables, and work plans – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1987, 1989 5.9 Projections – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1981 5.10 Publications – Miscellaneous, 1981 – 1982 5.11 Ramos, Raul Suarez – Testimony of a Baptist Pastor, 1988 5.12 Regulations – Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, 1981 5.13 Religion in Cuba, 1988 – 1989 5.14 Report of the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba for Oscar Romo, 1976 – 1985 5.15 Report on Cuba visit (Rutledge and Corder), 1960 5.16 Reserve funds for Cuba, 1966 5.17 Romo, Oscar – “An experience in Cuba,” 1978 5.18 Romo, Oscar – Greetings from Cuba Baptist churches, 1988 5.19 Romo, Oscar – Meeting with officers of the Convencion Bautista Occidental de Cuba, 1986 5.20 Salom, Manuel – Letter to Home Mission Board, 1967 5.21 Second World Congress of Baptist Men, 1978 5.22 Seminario Internacional Teologico Bautista – Buenos Aires, 1987 – 1988 5.23 Seminario Teologico Bautista de Cuba Occidental, 1979 – 1982 5.24 Seminario Teologico Bautista de Cuba Occidental – Inventory of Property, 1978 5.25 Seminary Expansion Plans, 1986 5.26 Seminary Library Books, 1986 5.27 Statistical Reports, 1984 5.28 Summer Weekly Bible Studies for Children, 1989 5.29 Switzerland – Cuba funds transfer, 1974 5.30 Tejera, Maria Magdalena Rodriguez – Medical treatment in U. S., 1987 – 1991 5.31 Timeline – Baptist Work in Cuba, 1960 – 1965 5.32 Transfer of work from HMB to FMB, 1988 – 1989 5.33 Triumph in Face of Adversity – Narration to slideshow 5.34 United Nations – Cuba’s Views, 1987 5.35 Valladares, Armando – Cuban dissident 5.36 Vegilla, Leoncio – Oral History, 1981 5.37 Video resources in Cuba 5.38 Voz Bautista, LA, 1982 – 1985 5.39 Voz Bautista, LA, 1986 – 1993 5.40 Youth and young adults Bible lessons – Pastoral edition, 1987, 1989 9

5.41 Youth Bible lessons, 1989 5.42 Youth workshop – Know your Bible, 1989

Series 2: Property Deeds

Box 6 6.1 Property – Correspondence – Caudill, Herbert, 1960 6.2 Property Deeds – American College, 1919 6.3 HMB Property Deeds – List and Descriptions of Cuba Properties 6.4 HMB Property Deeds – (1) – Calvario, Habana 6.5 HMB Property Deeds – (2, 3) – Student Center Building, Habana 6.6 HMB Property Deeds – (4, 5) – Baptist Assembly, 6.7 HMB Property Deeds – (6, 7) – Cemetery, Habana 6.8 HMB Property Deeds – (8, 9, 10) – Baptist Home, Habana 6.9 HMB Property Deeds – (11) – Santa Clara 6.10 HMB Property Deeds – (12, 13) – Santa Clara, Camacho 6.11 HMB Property Deeds – (14) – Seminary, Habana 6.12 HMB Property Deeds – (15) – , Habana 6.13 HMB Property Deeds – (16, 17, 18) – Arroyo Apolo, Habana 6.14 HMB Property Deeds – (19, 20) – La Vibora, Habana 6.15 HMB Property Deeds – (20, 21, 22) – Mariel, Guanajay 6.16 HMB Property Deeds – (23, 24) – Aguacate, Habana 6.17 HMB Property Deeds – (25, 26, 27) – Guassimal, Habana 6.18 HMB Property Deeds – (28) – La Esperanza, Arroyo Navanjo, Habana 6.19 HMB Property Deeds – (29, 30, 31) – Arriete, Cienfuegos 6.20 HMB Property Deeds – (32, 33) – Euines, Habana 6.21 HMB Property Deeds – (34) – , Pinar del Rio 6.22 HMB Property Deeds – (35, 36) – Batabano, Habana 6.23 HMB Property Deeds – (37) – Buenavista, Marianao, Habana 6.24 HMB Property Deeds – (38) – , Habana 6.25 HMB Property Deeds – (39, 40) – San Cristobal, Pinar del Rio 6.26 HMB Property Deeds – (41, 42) – Almendares, Marianao, Habana 6.27 HMB Property Deeds – (43) – Cabanas, Guanajay 6.28 HMB Property Deeds – (44, 45) – Guanajay, Pinar del Rio 6.29 HMB Property Deeds – (46, 47) – Cardenas, Matanzas 6.30 HMB Property Deeds – (48, 49, 50) – Consolacion del Sur, Pinar del Rio 6.31 HMB Property Deeds – (51) – Jovellanos, Matanzas 6.32 HMB Property Deeds – (52) – Managua, Habana 6.33 HMB Property Deeds – (53) – Corral Nuevo, Matanzas 6.34 HMB Property Deeds – (54) – Las Delicias, Cotorro, Habana 6.35 HMB Property Deeds – (55) – , Habana 6.36 HMB Property Deeds – (56) – Entrongue de Aguacute, Habana 6.37 HMB Property Deeds – (57) – 6.38 HMB Property Deeds – (58) – El Cerro, Habana 10

6.39 HMB Property Deeds – (59) – Cruces, Las Villas 6.40 HMB Property Deeds – (60) – Jacomino, Habana 6.41 HMB Property Deeds – (61, 62) – Caibarien, Las Villas 6.42 HMB Property Deeds – (63) – Caibarien, Punta Brava 6.43 HMB Property Deeds – (64, 65) – Caraballo, Habana 6.44 HMB Property Deeds – (66) – Camajuani, Las Villas 6.45 HMB Property Deeds – (67) – La Cumbre, Matanzas 6.46 HMB Property Deeds – (68) – Cotorro, Habana 6.47 HMB Property Deeds – (69) – Colon Matanzas 6.48 HMB Property Deeds – (70) – Esperanza, Las Villas 6.49 HMB Property Deeds – (71, 72) – Guayos, Las Villas 6.50 HMB Property Deeds – (73) – Cienfuegos, Las Villas 6.51 HMB Property Deeds – (74) – Marti, Matanzas 6.52 HMB Property Deeds – (75) – Palmira, Las Villas 6.53 HMB Property Deeds – (76) – , Las Villas 6.54 HMB Property Deeds – (77, 78) – Poterillo, Las Villas 6.55 HMB Property Deeds – (79) – Potrerillo, Las Villas 6.56 HMB Property Deeds – (80) – Matanzas, Matanzas 6.57 HMB Property Deeds – (81) – Guara, Habana 6.58 HMB Property Deeds – (82) – Guanajay, Pinar del Rio 6.59 HMB Property Deeds – (83) – Camajuani, Las Villas 6.60 HMB Property Deeds – (84, 85) – Santa Isabel de Las Cajas, Las Villas 6.61 HMB Property Deeds – (86) – Quiebra Hacha, Pinar del Rio 6.62 HMB Property Deeds – (87) – Mariel, Pinar del Rio 6.63 HMB Property Deeds – (88, 89) – Carios Rojas, Matanzas 6.64 HMB Property Deeds – (90) – Jicotea, Las Villas 6.65 HMB Property Deeds – (91) – Ranchvelo, Las Villas 6.66 HMB Property Deeds – (92) – Santo Somingo, Las Villas 6.67 HMB Property Deeds – (93) – Surgidero, Habana 6.68 HMB Property Deeds – (94) – San Jose de Las Lajas, Habana 6.69 HMB Property Deeds – (95) – Pinar del Rio 6.70 HMB Property Deeds – (96) – , Habana 6.71 HMB Property Deeds – (97, 98) – Las Canas, Pinar del Rio 6.72 HMB Property Deeds – (99) – , Las Villas 6.73 HMB Property Deeds – (100, 101) – San Juan y Martinez, Pinar del Rio 6.74 HMB Property Deeds – (102) – Sagva la Grande, Las Villas 6.75 HMB Property Deeds – (103) – Cotorro, Habana 6.76 HMB Property Deeds – (104) – , Habana 6.77 HMB Property Deeds – (105) – , Habana 6.78 HMB Property Deeds – (106) – San Antonio de los Banos, Habana 6.79 HMB Property Deeds – (107, 108) – Los Pinos, Habana 6.80 HMB Property Deeds – (109) – Miramar, Habana 6.81 HMB Property Deeds – (110) – , Habana 6.82 HMB Property Deeds – (111, 112) – San Antonio del los Banos, Habana 6.83 HMB Property Deeds – (113) – Guina de Melena, Habana 6.84 HMB Property Deeds – (114, 115) – Tapaste, Habana 11

6.85 HMB Property Deeds – (116, 117) – Trinidad, Las Villas 6.86 HMB Property Deeds – (118, 119) – Los Palacios, Pinar del Rio 6.87 HMB Property Deeds – (120) – Vueltas, Las Villas 6.88 HMB Property Deeds – (121) – Yaguayay, Las Villas 6.89 HMB Property Deeds – (122) – First Baptist Church, Miramar, Habana 6.90 HMB Property Deeds – (123) – Catalina de Guines, Habana 6.91 HMB Property Deeds – (124) – Buenavista, Las Villas 6.92 HMB Property Deeds – (125) – Remedios, Las Villas 6.93 HMB Property Deeds – (126) – Sancti Spiritus, Las Villas 6.94 HMB Property Deeds – (127) – Alturas del Rosario, Habana 6.95 HMB Property Deeds – (128) – San Juan de los Yeras, Habana 6.96 HMB Property Deeds – (129) – San Luis, Pinar del Rio 6.97 HMB Property Deeds – (130) – Colon, Matanyas 6.98 HMB Property Deeds – (131) – Cumanayagua, Las Villas 6.99 HMB Property Deeds – (132) – Cartagena, Las Villas 6.100 HMB Property Deeds – (133) – La Vigna, Santa Clara, Las Villas 6.101 HMB Property Records – (134) – Cruces, Las Villas