Santa Fe in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
San Miguel Church
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 13, 2025
1. San Miguel Church Marker
Oldest church structure in the U.S.A. The original adobe walls and altar were built by Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico under the direction of Franciscan Padres.
ca. 1610
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1610.
Location. 35° 41.014′ N, 105° 56.273′ W. Marker is in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is on Old Santa Fe Trail. 401 Old Santa Fe Trail between De Vargas and Paseo de Peralta. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe NM 87501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to San Miguel Church (here, next to this marker); Barrio de Analco (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Pink Adobe (a few steps from this marker); Lamy Building (a few steps from this marker); The "Oldest" House (within shouting distance of this marker); A Long Haul (within shouting distance of this marker); Life on the Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Santa Fe Trail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Fe.
Regarding San Miguel Church. Built under the
this page online
Also see . . . San Miguel Chapel. (Submitted on April 12, 2018, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Additional commentary.
1. San Miguel
While there may be some debate among scholars as to the precise date when the Chapel of San Miguel was built, it is certainly among the oldest existing churches still in use in the New World. Known locally as a mission, it was built to serve the poor in the Santa Fe congregation. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
— Submitted January 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Photographed by Michael Stroud, June 2003
2. San Miguel Church Marker
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 13, 2025
3. San Miguel Church Marker
September 3, 2006
4. San Miguel Church and Marker
Photographed by Michael Stroud, June 2003
5. San Miguel Church
Photographed by Michael Stroud, June 2003
6. San Miguel Church
Photographed by Michael Stroud, June 2003
7. Beam Dated 1710
Perhaps a replacement from roof burning during Pueblo Uprising in 1680
Photographed by Michael Stroud, June 2003
8. "San Jose Bell".
The oldest bell in USA, ca. 1356, was a gift to the church in 1848
An inscription on the bell reads "San Jose - ROGAD - por nosotros 9 De 1356" (St. Joseph, pray for us December 9, 1356).
September 17, 2006
9. Inside the San Miguel Church
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,133 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on April 8, 2018, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on February 16, 2026, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on February 16, 2026, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
