El San Miguel Mission
The city of Santa Fe was
founded in 1610, and El San Miguel (St. Michael's) Mission Church was built
between 1610 and and 1628. Foundations of the first church remain observable
under the sanctuary of the present structure. Archaeological investigations
beneath these foundations reveal evidence of Native American occupation of
the site as early and 1300 A.D. In 1680, during the pueblo rebellion, the
church vigas in the ceiling were burned, and in 1692 De Vargas ordered the
church rebuilt. In 1710 the church was reconstructed and a sacristy was
added to its south side in 1714. Repairs to the structure were made between
1798 and 1805 and again in 1830. In 1853 Archbishop Lamy installed the altar
stone.
In 1859 the church served as
the chapel for the newly arrived Christian Brothers who took over control of
St. Michael's School. In 1881 the Christian Brothers purchased the church, a
recently completed school building, an adobe building and the land upon
which they were situated from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Over the years
repairs were effected to the roof, walls and floor. In 1955 archaelogical
investigations were made, the altar reredos and artwork were restored.
Since its creation, San Miguel has been used as a chapel
and shrine to St. Michael, a military chapel, an oratory for the Christian
Brothers, a school chapel and a barrio church. Today, in addition to being
an historical treasure, cultural heritage and tourist attraction, it still
serves as a shrine to St. Michael and a chapel where Mass is celebrated
weekly.
Some Features of San Miguel
Reredos - The reredos or altar screen (as seen in picture at
right) dates from 1798 and is the oldest
wooden reredos in New Mexico. The top rectangular painting is of St. Michael
flanked by St. Teresa on the left and St. Gertrude on the right. In the
center is a painting of Christ the Nazarene with St. Francis of Assisi to
the left and St. Louis on the right.
St. Michael the Archangel Statue - The carved wood statue of St.
Michael
 the
Archangel (seen at the left) celebrates his victory over Satan. This gilded
and painted statue dates from at least 1709 when it was brought from Mexico.
It occupies the center niche in the reredos.
The San Jose Bell - The bronze bell (seen below) situated in the
gift shop once hung in the bell tower. An inscription on the bell reads "San
Jose - ROGAD - por nosotros 9 De 1356" (St. Joseph, pray for us December 9,
1356).
 Some
claim this Spanish bell was brought by the Ortiz family from Mexico in 1712.
There is also some speculation that it was cast in 1856 in the Parroquia in
Santa Fe or in Cerrillos in 1836.
When in
Santa Fe, be sure to visit the historic
El San Miguel Mission--
"The Oldest Church
in the United States"
Links
Source: Johnson and Nestor. San Miguel Chapel
Historic Structure Report and Master Plan. Santa Fe: 1978.
|
