Inside Loretto Chapel: Santa Fe's Stairway of Faith and Mystery

Nestled just south of the Santa Fe Plaza lies a gem of Gothic Revival architecture, the Loretto Chapel. Its story begins in 1873 when Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, a key figure in Santa Fe's history, commissioned its construction for the Sisters of Loretto and their Academy for girls. Inspired by King Louis IX's Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, French architect Antoine Mouly designed the chapel, though sadly, he passed away early in the project.

As the beautiful chapel neared completion in 1878, a significant problem emerged: there was no way to access the choir loft, perched 22 feet above the main floor. Carpenters consulted concluded that a standard staircase would consume too much valuable space in the relatively small chapel, suggesting only a ladder would fit.

Unwilling to accept this, the devout Sisters of Loretto prayed a novena (a nine-day prayer) to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, for a solution. Legend holds that on the final day of the novena, a mysterious, gray-haired man appeared with a donkey and a toolbox. He offered to build the staircase, working alone in seclusion for several months using only a saw, a T-square, a hammer, and tubs of water to shape the wood.

The result was a stunning, helix-shaped staircase with two complete 360-degree turns, seemingly defying physics with no visible central support. It was constructed entirely with wooden pegs; no nails or glue were used. Once finished, the carpenter vanished as mysteriously as he had arrived, without receiving payment or even giving his name, leaving the Sisters to believe St. Joseph himself had intervened.

Why It's a Must-See

The Loretto Chapel, and particularly its "Miraculous Staircase," is an absolute must-see in Santa Fe for several compelling reasons. The staircase itself is an undeniable marvel of woodworking and engineering. Its elegant curves and apparent lack of support captivate engineers and artists alike.

Furthermore, the enduring mystery surrounding its builder adds a layer of legend and intrigue that draws visitors from around the world. Who was the carpenter? How did he achieve this feat with basic tools? Where did the wood come from? These unanswered questions make the chapel more than just a historic building; it's the site of a captivating legend.

Finally, the chapel itself is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture in the Southwest, offering a serene and historically rich atmosphere, connecting visitors directly to the faith and determination of the early Santa Fe community and the Sisters of Loretto. Its fame has even permeated popular culture, appearing in television shows and movies.

5 Things Most People Don't Know About Loretto Chapel

1. It's No Longer a Catholic Church: Although built as one, the Loretto Chapel was deconsecrated in the 1970s and is now a privately owned museum and a very popular wedding and event venue. Regular Mass is no longer celebrated here.

2. The Railings Weren't Original: The intricately curved railings, which add to the staircase's beauty, were not part of the mysterious carpenter's initial design. They were added for safety about ten years later by craftsman Phillip August Hesch.

3. The Architect(s) Didn't Finish: Not only did the original architect Antoine Mouly die early on, but his son Projectus, who took over, also passed away before the chapel was fully completed, perhaps contributing to the staircase oversight.

4. The "Miraculous" Wood Isn't That Mysterious: While legend often claims the wood isn't native to the region, scientific analysis suggests it is a type of spruce, most likely Engelmann or Blue Spruce. While not abundant right in Santa Fe, it could potentially have been sourced from mountainous regions in Northern New Mexico or Southern Colorado, making its origin challenging for the time, but not necessarily supernatural.

5. It Was Almost Torn Down: In the late 1960s, the Loretto Academy property was sold, and the chapel was slated for demolition. Thankfully, it was saved through the efforts of preservationists and purchased by the owner of the adjacent hotel in 1971, preserving it for future generations.