SAN MIGUEL CHAPEL
The Oldest Church
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Also located in New Mexico – Santa Fe, to be exact – is
the San Miguel Chapel. San Miguel Chapel, also referred
to as San Miguel Mission, is known as “The Oldest
Church” in the continental United States. Even though it
has such a notable title, it is still a working church, and
holds both New Mass and Latin Mass services regularly
on Sundays.
“San Miguel Chapel is the key site to the Barrio de
Analco Historic District. Oral history holds that the barrio
was founded by a group of Mexican Indians from Tlax-
cala. The adobe church was constructed under the di-
rection of Franciscan friars to serve a small congregation
of soldiers, laborers, and Indians who lived in the Analco
Barrio. It was partially destroyed during the Pueblo Re-
volt of 1680. By the early-eighteenth century, San Miguel
had become one of the principal ecclesiastical buildings
in the provincial capital. The present building dates from
1710, although it has undergone significant structural
changes.
San Miguel Chapel is one of the best examples of pre-
served adobe architecture in Santa Fe. St. Michael’s
High School, which used San Miguel as its chapel from
1859 to 1967, is the proud owner and caretaker of this
historic treasure. In 2008, St. Michael’s entered into a
collaborative relationship with Cornerstones Community
Partnerships for the preservation of San Miguel Chapel.
Cornerstones has provided the technical and grant ex-
pertise for a major preservation effort. Starting in 2010,
the Portland cement stucco was removed, adobe was
repaired, and an adobe plaster finish coat was applied.
Now that San Miguel is a totally adobe building again,
ongoing maintenance and preservation work will be
needed. With the volunteer labor and financial contribu-
tions generously given, San Miguel Chapel will continue
to be preserved by the Santa Fe community and guests
and visitors throughout the United States and the world.”
– San Miguel Chapel
“San Miguel Chapel, also referred to as San Miguel
Mission, is known as “The Oldest Church” in
the continental United States.”