Santa Fe, New Mexico: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
About the early Catholic history of Santa Fe, New Mexico:
Spanish colonists, accompanied by Franciscan Friars, arrived here in 1598. The city of Santa Fe was founded a few years later, in 1610. What was originally an adobe church was replaced in 1630, and then that one was destroyed during the Pueblo Indian Revolt in 1680. In 1714, the Franciscans were finally able to return and named the new church in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The only part of that church still existing today is the small adobe chapel dedicated to Our Lady La Conquistadora, also known as a Conquistadora (Our Lady of the Conquest or Our Lady the Conqueror).
The statue stands only 30 inches tall and was brought here by Fray (Friar) Alonzo Benavidez from Spain to the Royal Villa of Santa Fe in 1624. The statue is the oldest representation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States. The statue is carved out of wood, and measures approximately three feet in height.
About the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico:
Construction of the Cathedral was begun in 1869 It was built around the adobe church and then the old church was torn down in 1887 and the pieces taken out through the front door of the Cathedral. The stained glass windows in the lower bay are from France and depict the twelve apostles. Seven archbishops are buried in the sanctuary.
The 160-foot spires for the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe were never built, primarily because Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy ran out of money during construction, which lasted from 1869 to 1887, although some local lore suggests the towers were not added due to concerns over structural weigh. In 1967, the Cathedral was strengthened, new sacristies were added, and a Blessed Sacrament Chapel was built. In 1987, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the stone church, a monumental altar screen depicting famous saints of North and South America was installed.
The Cathedral was elevated to a Basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
Traveling to the Basilica Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico:
Address: 131 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
GPS coordinates: 35° 41′ 10.9104” N, 105° 56′ 10.8636” W
Tel: +1 (505) 982-5619
email: use contact form on their website
Click here for the official website of the Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Photo of Station of the Cross courtesy Teresa Bergen
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