Oldest Catholic Churches - San Miguel Chapel -- Santa Fe, N.M.

(Photos/San Miguel Chapel)

Destination: We’re finishing off our series on the oldest Catholic churches in the U.S. with San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, N.M., founded sometime in the 17th century. It is yet another indication of the Spanish introduction of Catholicism to the new world.

Masses offered at the chapel are a Latin Mass at 3 p.m. and an ordinary form English Mass at 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Photos: Exterior (top) and interior (below) of San Miguel Chapel.

Why to go: The earliest record of the existence of San Miguel Chapel is from 1628, and it was built sometime before that year. The parish website says oral history says it was built around 1610. A fire in 1680 destroyed the first building, and it has been rebuilt and restored several times over the past 400 years. 

The parish was established as the “Hermita de San Miguel,” and was built on the site of an ancient kiva — a gathering place — of the Analco Indians. Tlaxcalan (Tas-cal’-en) Indians, who  are believed to have built the church, came to New Mexico from old Mexico in 1598 with the Spanish. At that time, the parish served a small group of Tlaxcalan Indians, laborers, and Spanish soldiers who lived in the area on the south side of the Santa Fe River.

The wooden altar screen, or reredos, at the front of  the chapel is one of the oldest in New Mexico. An inscription dates the screen to 1798. Credit for the work is given to “Laguna Santero,” an anonymous artist who was active and influential in New Mexico between 1796 and 1808. 

Hours: The chapel is open before and between Sunday Masses and  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Accessibility: The chapel is at ground-level, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for anyone to enter.

(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.

Info: Address — San Miguel Chapel of Santa Fe, 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Phone — 505-983-3974

Website — http://sanmiguelchapel.org/

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story

Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi - Santa Fe, N.M.

(Observer photos/ sacredheartcocathedral.com)

Destination: Founded as a parish in 1610, the same year the city of Santa Fe was founded, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi  sits on the site of the original 17th century parish. The current church was established as a cathedral in1853 and elevated to basilica  in 2005.
Mass times are Sunday, 8 a.m. (Spanish), 10 a.m. and 12 noon; Monday- Saturday, 7 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Why to go: One reason to plan a stop is to see the oldest statue of the Virgin Mary in the U.S., brought from Spain in 1685. Today the image rests in an adobe chapel dedicated to Our Lady La Conquistadora. The chapel is all that remains of a 1714 church, bullt after the Pueblo Indian Revolt of 1680.
The Franciscans who established the parish arrived in the area that would become Santa Fe in 1598. They accompanied Spanish settlers who had come north from Mexico City.
When Bishop John B. Lamy deemed the adobe church inadequate to growing needs, he brought French architects and Italian stonemasons to Santa Fe to build a Romanesque church in 1887.
The new cathedral was built around the adobe church. When the new walls were complete, the old church was torn down and removed through the front door.
The stained glass windows in the lower bay are from France and depict the Twelve Apostles.
Dedicated in 1887, the Cathedral’s spires were never completed due to lack of funds.
(Grand) Kid friendly: The cathedral welcomes children. If you want to prepare them for the visit, check the virtual tour at https://www.cbsfa.org/89.
Info: Address — Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, 131 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM, 87501
Phone — 505/982-5619 
Website —https://www.cbsfa.org/
—  Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story.
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi - Santa Fe, New Mexico

(Photo provided)

Destination: If you’re about to “motor west,” plan a stop at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, which is celebrating is 400th anniversary in 2010. You’ll be among visitors as distinguised as Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain, who attended a ceremony at the basilica last October to mark the start of celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Santa Fe.
Masses are Sunday — 8 a.m. (Spanish), 10 a.m., noon and 5:15 pm; Monday-Saturday — 7 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Why to go: The first church on the site of the present-day basilica was built by Franciscan Friars in 1610. The original adobe church has been replaced several times. Construction on today’s building began in 1869 and continued until 1887. The new church was built around the old church. When the new walls were finished, the old church was torn down and removed through the front door.
A Blessed Sacrament Chapel was built in 1967, and in 1987, an altar screen showing famous saints from North and South America was added. In 2009, the church installed a new cross and tower bells.
Stained glass windows in the lower bay are from France and show the 12 Apostles.
One of the oldest features of the basilica is a statue of Mary under the title of “La Conquistadora.” The statue was brought from Spain in 1625 by Spanish conquistadors and Franciscans to help introduce the Catholic faith.
Special events: The parish is sponsoring a Valentine weekend art exhibit and sale Feb. 12-14. Parish artists will offer mixed media, oil, acrylic, watercolor, egg tempera, natural pigments, encaustic wax, wood, metal, fiber and leather, sculpture, clay, photography, glass, jewelry, furniture, drawings and hand-finished prints. Thirty percent of all sales will help reduce the school debt.
The parish’s senior group — Treasures of Wisdom — is sponsoring a series of full-length movies featuring a priest to celebrate the Year for Priests. Movies will be shown at 1 p.m. Feb. 11, 18 and 25.
Amenities: La Conquistadora Gift Shop is located at the front entrance of the Cathedral Basilica and is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4:30 p.m.
Access: Stairs at the street lead up to the church’s front plaza.
(Grand) Kid friendly: As with any church, children are welcome.
Info: Address: 131 Cathedral Place, P.O. Box 2127, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2127 Phone: 505/982-5619 Web: www.cbsfa.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org