San Miguel Chapel - The Oldest Church, Santa Fe

06/23/2026

Come get your Rte 66 sticker for your Rte 66 passport!

06/20/2026

Maria & Laurianne have created a webpage with over a dozen foreign translations of San Miguel Chapel history for the convenience of world travelers visiting our humble adobe abode!

https://sites.google.com/smhs.me/mduran/home

06/04/2026

A previously published article in New Mexico Magazine:

In Santa Fe, the oldest church in the country might also be its most enchanting concert venue.

05/19/2026

05/10/2026

Our Gallery/Entrance room has a new floor!
Gone is the worn out grey industrial carpet!

04/29/2026

GNOSS in SOLD-out concert NOW!!

04/17/2026

Lilacs and irises

04/01/2026

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: WHERE IS THE MYSTERIOUS SPIRAL STAIRCASE?
A: In the Loretto Chapel, 2 blocks to the north

Q: IS THIS AN ACTIVE CHURCH WITH A PRIEST & PARISH?
A: No. San Miguel Chapel has been privately owned by the non-profit Saint Michael’s High School since 1859. It is consecrated by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

Q: ARE THERE MASSES HELD HERE?
A: Yes, with the permission of the Archdiocese the school has found a priest in good standing to celebrate Mass on the first Sunday of every month at 3pm. Father Christopher from Pecos celebrates the mass.

Q: IS THERE A TABERNACLE IN THE CHAPEL?
A: No. There is no communion host in the chapel except during mass.

Q: ARE WEDDINGS HELD HERE?
A: No. The Archdiocese prohibits any sacraments except the mass on the 1st Sunday.

Q: IS PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO ALLOWED?
A: Yes

Q: WHEN WAS THE CHAPEL BUILT AND WHAT IS ORIGINAL?
A: 1610. The foundation. The stone steps Under the altar. Seven to ten (or more) feet of the walls.

Q: IS THIS THE ORIGINAL BELL?
A: The San Jose Bell arrived in the mid 1800’s. The original bell was lost during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 when the roof was burned. The bell’s origin is undocumented and unknown.

Q: WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL FLOOR MADE OF?
A: The floor was packed earth for over 250 years. The wooden floor and large western front door was installed in the 1880s.

Q: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE MEDALLIONS AND ROSARIES AROUND THE BELL?
A: Since this a shrine to St Michael, these are prayers and petitions left behind by devotees.

Q: WHY ARE THE CEILINGS SO HIGH?
A: To create divine sense of awe, look upwards toward heaven, and remind us of heaven on earth…and to raise our hearts and minds to God.