Santa Fe's Missions and Churches
Miracles and mystery surround artistic treasures from colonial times
Santa Fe is known for its beautiful art and architecture. Some fine examples can be found in its historic Spanish missions and churches, along with fascinating legends.
Santa Fe's excellent museums and world-class art galleries provide endless hours of browsing. But don't miss the city's historic Spanish missions and churches, which are among the finest in the Southwest. These important attractions contain a wealth of Hispanic religious art and architecture, along with a miracle or two.
San Miguel Mission is one of the oldest churches in the United States. It was built around 1610 by Tlaxcala Indians from Mexico, under the direction of the Franciscan padres (priests). In this simple, peaceful space you can sense the devotion of those who have worshipped here over the centuries. Mass is still celebrated every Sunday and on special occasions.
The church's great timber roof beams, burnt during a revolt in 1680, were restored 12 years later. The hand-carved wooden reredos (altarpiece) is painted with Spanish motifs and surrounds an early 17th-century wooden statue of San Miguel. At the rear of the church is one of the oldest paintings of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Both were brought from old Mexico. The paintings of Christ were done on deerskin and buffalo hide. The San Jose bell, the oldest in the country, is displayed in the gift shop. 401 Old Santa Fe Trail. Open daily.
Loretto Chapel is famous for its miraculous staircase. Built by French architects in 1873-1878 for the Sisters of Loretto as a chapel for their school, it was the first Gothic building west of the Mississippi. However, it had no access to the choir loft. The nuns prayed to St. Joseph, patron saint of carpenters, to build a stairway.
One day an unknown carpenter appeared. He worked alone for six months, then disappeared without seeking payment. He left behind this remarkable spiral staircase which rises 21 feet high, making two complete 360-degree turns. With no center support and no nails, it is held together only by its perfect craftsmanship.
The railing was added in 1887 because the sisters were afraid to climb it. No longer owned by the church, the chapel has been preserved as a historic landmark by a private family. 207 Old Santa Fe Trail. Open daily.
St. Francis Cathedral, with its decorative Romanesque facade, stands in striking contrast to the surrounding adobe townscape of central Santa Fe. Beyond the carved doors, its interior has almost a modern feel despite its construction date of 1869. The lovely interior has carved capitals, beautiful stained glass, and an altarpiece featuring St. Francis surrounded by 14 saints.
The chapel housing La Conquistadora – Our Lady of Conquering Love – is part of the original 18th-century adobe church. Carved in Mexico in 1625, it is the oldest statue of the Virgin Mary in North America. It was brought to Santa Fe and became a legend in 1680, when the Virgin's protection allegedly saved settlers fleeing from a revolt by Pueblo Indians. 131 Cathedral Place. Open daily.
Santuario de Guadalupe lies at the end of the old Camino Real, or Royal Road, the colonial trade route between Santa Fe and Mexico. Built in 1795, the adobe church is dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico and the Pueblo communities. She is depicted in the lovely altarpiece painted in 1783. Classical concerts are sometimes held in this atmospheric setting. 100 S. Guadalupe Street.
Santuario de Chimayo, in the village of Chimayo, is worth the 25-mile drive north of Santa Fe. In 1813, a local man was directed in a vision to build it here over a natural spring, where the earth was blessed with healing powers. While digging the foundations, he found a cross that had belonged to two martyred priests, and the little church became a pilgrimage site.
The simple interior has a beautifully painted reredos. The side sanctuary is full of discarded crutches, rosaries, photos and votive offerings from people who have sought healing here. Visitors can take away a bit of the holy dirt from the small adjoining alcove. Open daily. Masses weekdays and Sunday.
For more information about Santa Fe's top art and history museums, click here.
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