Id never been to santa fe, and wanted to get a glimpse of its historical riches especially its mission churches, which predate the ones in california from the 1770s i have known. A small chapel located in the heart of santa fe, new mexico brings visitors from across the globe to learn about its mysterious and interesting history and specifically its staircase. In 1878, the chapel of our lady of light, in santa fe, new mexico territory. At the terminus of the old santa fe trail, the loretto chapel stands, a place where legend and beauty meet. Miraculous stairway of loretto chapel santa fe the world is. The loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico is a place of legend with a unique history. Our story begins in 1850 when the vicariate of new mexico was established under the first bishop of the territory, bishop jean baptiste lamy. A small chapels choir loft survives incomplete with no staircase, until one day a mysterious. The interior os the church is truly beautiful and the story of the miraculous staircase is the fun part. Jan 07, 2017 legend of the loretto chapel staircase the story. Santa fes old town square district is charming and lively. The loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico has become famous worldwide for its miraculous staircase. It is known for its unusual helix shaped spiral staircase the miraculous stair. The staircase 1998 g 1h 36min drama, western tv movie 12 april 1998.
The loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico, usa, is a former roman catholic church that is now used as a museum and a wedding chapel. This chapel is one of the fun stories of santa fe, and well worth the visit. The wonders of our spiritual father, cotignac, dom cingoranelli, fatima, fr. The staircase is a 1998 television film about the story of the spiral staircase, believed by some to be miraculously built, at the loretto chapel in santa fe, new.
Loretto chapels miraculous staircase santa fe, new mexico. May 01, 20 many still believe in its miracle as an answer to the nuns prayers. The nuns of the loretto chapel have attributed the staircase to a miracle, a divine event that seems to transcend natural law, and they believed that the man who came to create the staircase was a man sent from heaven. Joseph built in new mexico december 9, 2019 t he staircase of loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico is well known for being surrounded by at least two mysteries. Nov 22, 2014 the miraculous staircase of loretto chapel, santa fe, new mexico amid our walking tour of downtown santa fe, we detoured to take in loretto chapel. The staircase, based on the real legend of the miraculous stairway at the sisters of loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico is an inspirational, lifeaffirming drama of hope and faith. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as.
It is known for its unusual helixshaped spiral staircase. Sometime around 1880, the entire order began to pray to st. Over the years many have flocked to the loretto chapel to see the miraculous staircase. For reference, i lived in santa fe and my neighbor, who came from a long lin of native hispanics, claimed that his grandfather, not st. Soon after, a mysterious man appeared and built them a miraculous staircase with two 360degree turns, no center support, and made only of rare wood. Francis of assisi, known today as santa fe, the capital of new mexico. The loretto chapels miraculous staircase new sherwood. The staircase of loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico is well known for being surrounded by at least two mysteries. Josephs staircase, the loretto chapel in santa fe is a. But the loretto chapel miracle staircase is subject to the same laws of physics as any staircase or circular staircase. The sisters of the legendary loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico have lived for. On the ninth day of prayer, a stranger appeared with a donkey and a toolbox.
It is known for its unusual helix shaped spiral staircase the miraculous stair, an exceptional work created by french carpenter francoisjean frenchy rochas. Several mysteries surround the staircase in the loretto chapel including the identity of its builder, the type of wood used and the physics of its construction. As frequently happens in santa fe, legend collides with fact in the story of the staircase of the loretto chapel. A small chapels choir loft survives incomplete with no staircase, until one day a mysterious drifter, with a background in carpentry, arrives in town. Jul 03, 2014 traditional catholic loretto chapel and st. Aug 01, 2018 when they had no way of accessing their choir loft in the loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico, the sisters prayed a novena through st. It has been the subject of legend, and the circumstances surrounding its construction and its builder were considered miraculous by the sisters of loretto. Its a true story of courage, determination, faith and the chapel of our lady of light in santa fe, new mexico territory.
Its huge wooden support beams, visible throughout the interior, are as indicative of its surroundings as its adobe walls, constructed in 1610. The sisters of loretto responded and sent six sisters to open the. When the loretto chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twentytwo feet above. Based on the reallife loretto chapel, now a museum attached to a hotel in santa fe, this film excels at suggesting. The miraculous loretto chapel the history of the loretto chapel began when bishop jean baptiste lamy was appointed by the church to the new mexico territory in. Does a stairway at santa fes loretto chapel miraculously stand despite having. There was a rumour in the city of santa fe that the carpenter was st. The ornate spiral staircase was built between 1873 and 1878 by a mysterious carpenter st. The helix staircase of the loretto chapel and other miracles. Mother madalyns barbara hershey last wish is that her beloved chapel be completed. The miraculous staircase of loretto chapel in santa fe, nm was built according to the legend by a mysterious carpenter said to be st. Hear from the cast and filmmakers of downhill at the imdb studio at acura festival village at the 2020 sundance film.
It has been the subject of legend, and the circumstances. Loretto chapel staircase santa fe new mexico santa fe. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a carpenter with a donkey and toolbox came. Inside the gothic structure is the staircase referred to as miraculous, inexplicable, marvelous and is sometimes called st. But it has always come from gods divine force, men and women willing to do great things for. The staircase has also been featured in many articles, tv show specials, and movies over the years. The real chapel is in the heart of santa fe, but at the time of its construction the setting would have been more like the movie. The chapel of loretto in santa fe, new mexico, is home to an exceptional work of carpentry. Read my blog post loretto chapelmany miracles on the old santa fe trail. The movie was based on the legend of the loretto chapel in santa fe, new. Josephs miraculous staircase, santa fe new mexico traditional catholicism is not only sacred, but also beautiful. The loretto academy was a school for women founded in. The gothic revivalstyle chapel was patterned after king louis ixs saintechapelle in paris.
Three mysteries surround the spiral staircase in the loretto chapel. May 03, 2007 the spiral stairway at santa fe s loretto chapel miraculously stands despite having no discernable means of support. Joseph, and on the last day of the novena, their prayers were answered. No one has ever been able to give a full report on it. The miraculous staircase of loretto chapel, santa fe, new mexico amid our walking tour of downtown santa fe, we detoured to take in loretto chapel. The scenery in the movie is breath taking and a good part of it was shot in new mexico although the actual chapel was not used. Loretto chapel, santa fe, new mexico from the loretto. Loretto chapels spiral staircase has withstood the test of time and this historic work of beauty continues to be a major attraction in santa fe.
Id never been to santa fe, and wanted to get a glimpse of its historical riches especially its mission churches, which. But it has always come from gods divine force, men and women willing to do great things for god, sacrifice and praying with faith for miracles. Visiting the loretto chapel santa fe tips and basics. Predominately spanishspeaking, due to both the conquistadors and recent. Joseph, miraculous staircase, mirjana soldo, my heart will triumph, our lady of america, santa fe cafe, sisters of loretto, st joseph, veneration of sacramentals. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters prayers. The santa fe river provided water to people living there. The movie was based on the legend of the loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico, the site of the mysterious staircase referred to above. Dvd aired on cbs in 1998 its an uplifting feel good movie that recalls the style of hallmark and lifetime made for tv films but.
Joseph who built it himself, the staircase is indeed miraculous. Home to a mysterious spiral staircase, the loretto chapel is available to tour almost daily, and is a popular backdrop for santa fe weddings. The supernatural staircase of saint joseph vcatholic. Visit the fascinating santa fe, new mexico wedding chapel that has amazed the masses from all over the world. The loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico, usa, is a former roman catholic church that is now used as a museum and a wedding chapel it is known for its unusual helixshaped spiral staircase the miraculous stair. Located in santa fe, new mexico, loretto chapel itself is an interesting story. In desperation, the sisters of loretto made a novena to st. Back in 1850, long before the area would become a state in 1909, things were a bitlets sayrough around the edges. Visit the fascinating santa fe, new mexico wedding chapel that has amazed the masses.
For loretto and the miraculous staircase a santa fe mystery by alice bullock 1978. After searching for the man an ad even ran in the local newspaper and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was st. Many still believe in its miracle as an answer to the nuns prayers. Miraculous gravitydefying staircase made of wood that supposedly doesnt exist, in a way that baffles scientists. Legend has it that nuns made a novena, a special prayer or service, to st. On the 9th day of prayer, a visitor arrived at their door with his mule and some tools. Why you must visit the miraculous loretto chapel staircase. Sante fe new mexico new mexico santa fe loretto chapel spiral staircase stairway to heaven entry hall st joseph beautiful buildings interesting buildings what others are saying the spiral staircase of the loretto chapel in santa fe, mexico is shrowded in mystery, traditionally said to have been built by saint joseph.
Nov 20, 2017 this is the miraculous staircase of saint joseph at loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico. Little chapel at loretto inn in santa fe new mexico was it a master craftsman or the work of good st joseph archbishop john. Many of you are aware of the famous staircase at the loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico. Legend states that seeking guidance and help, the sisters of loretto prayed a. The helix staircase of the loretto chapel and other. Jul 23, 2018 the staircase of loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico is well known for being surrounded by at least two mysteries. Loretto chapel staircase the legend of the santa fe miracle. Only a few blocks away from the cathedral stands one of the oldest churches in the united states the san miguel chapel. The staircase has been the subject of many articles, tv specials, and movies including unsolved mysteries and the television movie titled the staircase. In 1852, by order of the bishop of santa fe, jean baptiste lamy, the chapel of our lady of light inspired by the saintechapelle in paris was. Oct 08, 2014 milagro en santa fe in english the entire story of the apparitions of our lady of fatima and the angel 100th year anniversary.
Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the sisters of the chapel made a novena to st. Aug 26, 2009 the loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico is known for its unusual spiral staircase that is an exceptional work of carpentry. Nov 21, 2015 this chapel is one of the fun stories of santa fe, and well worth the visit. The loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico, usa is a former roman catholic church that is now used as a museum and wedding chapel. Mar 24, 2012 this is the miraculous staircase of saint joseph at loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico. Sunday, march 18, 2012 i decided to take the southern route while driving across the country a couple years ago. Loretto chapel is famous for its miraculous staircase, unique gifts, and unforgettable weddings. At the end of the old santa fe trail stands the loretto chapel. Many experts have tried to identify the wood and where it came from. Seeing a need to educate the girls of the territory, bishop lamy sent a plea to catholic teaching orders to open a school for girls. This is a great old world chapel that is unfortunately no longer a church but a part of a hotelspa complex and charges an admission but they do contribute earnings to the loretto sisters. Specifically, however, the majestic loretto chapel staircase is its unique draw. The last time we were here, i foolishly left my camera in the car. In the early 1990s i saw the movie the staircase on tv.
Diane ladd is a sympathetic nun and william peterson of tvs csi is the mysterious carpenter who volunteers to build a spiral staircase after the original builders forget to provide access to the chapels choir loft. This holy site is a roman catholic parish containing a miraculous staircase attributed to the intercession of st. Miraculous staricase built in 1887 chapell loretto stands as a historical landmark in downtown santa fe. Unsatisfied with the prevailing opinion that a ladder would have to suffice, the sisters of loretto sought divine assistance by praying a novena to st. A man showed up and built a beautiful circular staircase. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. The miraculous staircase was built sometime between 1877 and 1881. Joseph staircase at the loretto chapel speaking of the wood, the mother superior in 1960 reported. The construction and builder of the staircase is considered a miracle by the sisters of loretto and many who visit it. The miracle of the staircase is a documentary film by skeleton creek productions.
The miraculous staircase of loretto chapel, santa fe, new mexico. The loretto chapel in santa fe, new mexico is known for its unusual spiral staircase that is an exceptional work of carpentry. The santa fe river is a seasonal waterway which was a year round stream until the 1700s. Experts consider miracle stairs in santa fes loretto. He suggested we go to see the church with the staircase.
The loretto staircase is surrounded by an air of mystery who built it and why is it still standing. The construction and builder of the staircase is considered a miracle. The stairway confounds architects, engineers and master craftsmen. Joseph the carpenter, and was built sometime between 1877 and 1881. Joseph the patron saint of carpenters to help with a solution for the chapel stairs. The miraculous staircase of loretto chapel, santa fe, new. Loretto chapel, santa fe, new mexico from the loretto chapel website. He said he needed work and offered to build a staircase. Given the height of the loft and the small size of the chapel, a staircase would have taken up too much floor space, thereby reducing the seating capacity to an unacceptably small level.
Loretto chapel will make you believe in miraclesor at least consider them. Video clip from creation and miraclesfinal edition that discusses the mysterious and miraculous st. An audio stream in the chapel tells the story about the former convent and school and the famous staircase. The loretto academy was a school for women founded in santa fe in 1852 by the. Miraculous stairway of loretto chapel santa fe the world. Nov 28, 2018 loretto chapel will make you believe in miraclesor at least consider them. An amazing spiral staircase stands in a chapel in santa fe, new mexico, the result of prayers of the nuns who needed it. Joseph s miraculous staircase, santa fe new mexico traditional catholicism is not only sacred, but also beautiful.