![San Miguel Mission [Oldest Church in the U.S.], Santa Fe](/img/gd_attr/35140.jpg)
San Miguel Mission [Oldest Church in the U.S.], Santa Fe (must see)
Back in 1610, some Franciscan friars got busy and put up what's now the oldest church in the States. This was Santa Fe's first church, and those Spanish missionaries were smart enough to plonk it down across the river where the native folks were hanging out. They were all about spreading the good word, so they whipped up this mission before even sorting out their own church closer to the Plaza.
Now, this place has seen its fair share of facelifts, so it's tough to say what's original and what's not. It's made of adobe with walls about five feet thick, and they threw in some stone buttresses in 1887 to keep everything from going sideways. The original church was likely a bit smaller, but it's been spruced up despite being set on fire during the Pueblo Revolt, and keeps standing on the same old foundations.
But enough about the exterior鈥攍et's dive into some juicy bits. The interior snug and whitewashed, with a restored late-18th-century altar screen that's seen its fair share of adventures. Covered in layers of house paint for years, it is the handiwork of an anonymous Mexican artist and acts like a giant picture frame, stuffed with oil paintings and bultos (fancy term for those painted wooden saint statues). And if you peek beneath your feet, you'll catch a glimpse of the church's original foundations鈥攖alk about history underfoot!
Tucked away at the back, San Miguel's old bell supposedly hails from Spain way back in 1356 鈥� or so the engraving claims. Historians aren't buying it: They reckon it's more likely a sneaky defect that made an 8 look like a 3. Anyway, it made its way to the New World and landed here in the early 1800s, and it still hums like a charm, even with just a little tap.
Now, this place has seen its fair share of facelifts, so it's tough to say what's original and what's not. It's made of adobe with walls about five feet thick, and they threw in some stone buttresses in 1887 to keep everything from going sideways. The original church was likely a bit smaller, but it's been spruced up despite being set on fire during the Pueblo Revolt, and keeps standing on the same old foundations.
But enough about the exterior鈥攍et's dive into some juicy bits. The interior snug and whitewashed, with a restored late-18th-century altar screen that's seen its fair share of adventures. Covered in layers of house paint for years, it is the handiwork of an anonymous Mexican artist and acts like a giant picture frame, stuffed with oil paintings and bultos (fancy term for those painted wooden saint statues). And if you peek beneath your feet, you'll catch a glimpse of the church's original foundations鈥攖alk about history underfoot!
Tucked away at the back, San Miguel's old bell supposedly hails from Spain way back in 1356 鈥� or so the engraving claims. Historians aren't buying it: They reckon it's more likely a sneaky defect that made an 8 look like a 3. Anyway, it made its way to the New World and landed here in the early 1800s, and it still hums like a charm, even with just a little tap.
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San Miguel Mission [Oldest Church in the U.S.] on Map
Sight Name: San Miguel Mission [Oldest Church in the U.S.]
Sight Location: Santa Fe, USA (See walking tours in Santa Fe)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Santa Fe, USA (See walking tours in Santa Fe)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Create Your Own Walk in Santa Fe
Creating your own self-guided walk in Santa Fe is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Canyon Road Art and Architecture Tour
Whether your interest lies in art, architecture, history or food, you'll be able to satisfy it fully on Canyon Road. Situated just east of the Santa Fe Plaza, Canyon Road is home of Santa Fe's thriving art market selling artwork from both famed and indie artists. There are over 100 art galleries dotted along the one-mile street, making it the third largest art market in the country.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Santa Fe Introduction Walking Tour
Santa Fe's full name is La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis, or "The Royal Town of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi." Thankfully, everyone sticks with "Santa Fe" for simplicity's sake.
The area has been settled for several thousand years, first by the native Puebloan cultures. The Tewa people called the town Ogha Po'oge , which... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
The area has been settled for several thousand years, first by the native Puebloan cultures. The Tewa people called the town Ogha Po'oge , which... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Historical Churches
In Santa Fe, there's no shortage of religious sites fit to impress. Some of the local churches date back as far as the foundation of the city itself. As you immerse in their hallowed halls, prepare yourself to be enraptured by their architectural and spiritual splendor.
One such venerable place is undoubtedly the San Miguel Mission. The oldest church in the United States, it was built... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
One such venerable place is undoubtedly the San Miguel Mission. The oldest church in the United States, it was built... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles