Santa Fe in Santa Fe County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Welcome to San Miguel Church

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 13, 2025

1. Welcome to San Miguel Church Marker

Inscription.

Under the auspices of Fray Alonso de Benavides, OFM, this Church was built by Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico in the early 1600's. The original adobe walls remain under the stucco exterior. The Church's roof was burned and destroyed during the Pueblo Indian rebellion of 1680: After resettling Santa Fe, General Diego de Vargas had a new roof constructed in 1694. Repairs continued until 1710. A three-tiered tower was erected about 1830. In 1887 a single-façade tower was built and the massive stone buttresses were added for support. In 1955 archaeological investigations were conducted in and around the Church. Restoration of the beautiful altar backdrop was done the same year.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1680.

Location. 35° 41.014′ N, 105° 56.27′ W. Marker is in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in Santa Fe County. It is at the intersection of Old Santa Fe Trail and East De Vargas Street, on the right when traveling north on Old Santa Fe Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 329 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: San Miguel Church (here, next to this marker); Barrio de Analco

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Lamy Building (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Pink Adobe (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.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 13, 2025

2. Welcome to San Miguel Church Marker

Welcome To San Miguel Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011

3. Welcome To San Miguel Church

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2026, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 35 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2026, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on August 4, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.