This Former Chapel In New Mexico Has Spellbinding Views…And A Fascinating History
Sometimes history can seem magical. Folktales, historical accounts that seem just a little too good to be true, and events that cannot be fully explained are just a few ways this happens. In fact, there are similar stories that have taken place here in New Mexico and today we’re going to check out one.
This is Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, which was built in the 1870s as the Lady of Light Chapel in a striking gothic style.
You may thing it looks like an ordinary staircase but you’d be mistaken. Not only was the staircase hand-carved from wood and lacking a physical support beam, but the story behind its creation seemed something like a miracle.
The staircase is helix-shaped, tightly twisting twice to the choir loft. It was built by hand and entirely of wood.
According to the Sisters of Loretto who commissioned the chapel to be built, their architect died before completing the project and they prayed a nine-day novena. On the ninth day, a carpenter arrived to build the staircase using modest tools and no metal nails or central beam. The sisters believed it was Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, who constructed the staircase because of the beautiful design and the mysterious nature of the carpenter himself.
What is interesting to note is that the railings were not a part of the original design. Before that, the nuns had to slowly ascend the winding staircase by crawling up the stairs. The railings were added in 1887.
Loretto Chapel is located at 207 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe. You can find details about the chapel’s history, taking a tour, and even hosting an event by visiting their website, lorettochapel.com.
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
