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

San Miguel Church

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 2003

1. San Miguel Church Marker

Inscription. Oldest church structure in U.S.A. The 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: Churches & Religion • Native Americans • Notable Buildings. 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. 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of 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); Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto (1852-1968) (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Fe.

Regarding San Miguel Church. Built under the auspices of Fray Alonso de Benavidez,one

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of the Franciscan Padres.

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.

San Miguel Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

September 3, 2006

2. San Miguel Church and Marker

San Miguel Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 2003

3. San Miguel Church

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 2003

4. San Miguel Church

Beam Dated 1710 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 2003

5. Beam Dated 1710

Perhaps a replacement from roof burning during Pueblo Uprising in 1680

"San Jose Bell". image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, June 2003

6. "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).

Inside the San Miguel Church image. Click for full size.

September 17, 2006

7. Inside the San Miguel Church

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011

8. Welcome To

San Miguel Church 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.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,718 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on April 8, 2018, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on January 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 6, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 8. submitted on August 4, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.