San Miguel Mission Chapel

401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone:

East < GO > West

The San Miguel Mission, also known as San Miguel Chapel, is claimed to be the oldest church in the U.S. Various sources date its construction to anywhere between the mid-1500s to the early-1600s. It's been renovated and modified several times over the years. The church is across the street from the oldest house in the USA which is seen on the left in this photo.

In 1848 a three tiered bell tower holding a 789 pound bell was added to the chapel, unfortunately it collapsed in a storm in 1872 and was later replaced with this version. That large bell is now displayed inside the channel. Beginning in 1887 large large buttresses were added to support aging adobe walls.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

SAN MIGUEL CHURCH, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
The Cradle of Christianity in America
The date of this mission for the Pueblo Indians is placed by some as early as 1541, by others as late as 1607. ... During the Pueblo Indian uprising in 1680, the church together with its early records, was burned. Its walls however were left intact and only slight repairs were necessary when the Spaniards returned in 1692. It is still used as a place of worship. The old sanctuary contains old bells, paintings, some of the old hand carved beams, and and many interesting and beautiful religious articles of the early Spanish period, which are explained by the sacristan in charge.

NOTE: This postcard is dated 1925. It does show a hint of the debate over the age of the Mission.
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Photo(s): 2015