Located at 207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, Loretto Chapel is a remarkable example of Gothic Revival architecture. This chapel is renowned for its stunning design and the legend of its miraculous spiral staircase, which draws visitors from around the world.

The chapel serves as a beautiful venue for reflection and appreciation of the rich history of the Southwest. It is a must-visit location for those exploring the cultural heritage of Santa Fe, particularly when visiting nearby Ancient Ways Revealed.

Ancient Ways Revealed is dedicated to preserving and sharing the heritage of the Southwest through longform chapters, ritual studies, and archives. We invite you to learn more about the ancient traditions and histories that shape our understanding of this unique region.

Whether you are interested in architecture, history, or spirituality, Loretto Chapel offers a serene environment to connect with the past and contemplate the stories that have shaped our present.

For more information or to plan your visit, please get in touch with us.

The Sisters of Loretto and the Story of the Staircase

The chapel's history begins with the Sisters of Loretto, a Catholic order from Kentucky who came to Santa Fe in the mid-nineteenth century at the invitation of Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy. The sisters founded a school for girls, the Loretto Academy, and the chapel was built to serve that community. Lamy, who was born in France, favoured European church styles. This helps explain why the building, with its pointed arches, buttresses and tall spire, looks so unlike the adobe churches found elsewhere in northern New Mexico. The design is often said to echo the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, although it is far smaller.

The staircase is the reason most visitors come. According to the familiar account, the chapel was finished without a practical way to reach the choir loft. The sisters are said to have prayed a novena to St. Joseph, the patron of carpenters. Afterwards a mysterious carpenter appeared, built the stair and left without asking for payment. The stair makes two full turns and has no central pole. For many years it also had no railing, which was added later.

Researchers have since suggested a likely builder and explained how the structure stays stable. Even so, the legend remains an important part of local devotional culture. It is worth seeing as both a piece of fine craftsmanship and a living story.

Reading the chapel as heritage

Loretto Chapel shows how French clergy, Kentucky nuns, imported materials and Hispano and Anglo builders came together in territorial-era Santa Fe. When you visit, look for these features:

  • The Gothic Revival details, which differ sharply from the region's adobe building traditions.
  • The stained glass, which, like much of the material, came from outside the territory.
  • The way the chapel's stories have shifted over time, from parish memory to wider fame.

Today the chapel is privately operated as a museum and is also used for weddings. It no longer serves as a consecrated parish church. Check its official channels for current hours and admission before you go.

For more context on the period, browse our Archives. You can also find more Santa Fe sites in Places.

Also on this site: ancientwaysrevealed.com