Loretto Chapel Staircase

October 27, 2022

Loretto Chapel

Undoubtedly influenced by the French clergy of Santa Fe, the neo-Gothic style chapel is inspired by the Sainte-Chapelle of King Louis IX in Paris; a stark contrast to the adobe churches already present in the area. The stone for the chapel was quarried from places around Santa Fe, including Cerro Colorado, about 20 miles from Santa Fe near the town of Lamy.

Staircase At Loretto Chapel

When Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy commissioned the construction of the historic Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he arranged for two architects - Antoine Mouly and his son Projectus - to come from France in the New World to oversee the project. . The archbishop recommended to the Sisters of Loreto, who ran a school for girls in Santa Fe, to solicit the help of French architects for the construction of a chapel for their school. While Archbishop Lamy's vision for a Romanesque cathedral was temporarily stalled for lack of funding, Projectus helped the Sisters of Loreto build a Gothic chapel nearby. The Gothic Loretto Chapel contrasts beautifully with many of the surrounding buildings in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, the second oldest city in the United States. Willa Cather, who chronicles the life and ministry of Archbishop Lamy in New Mexico (calling him Latour) in Death Comes for the Archbishop, offers an apt reflection on miracles: "The miracles of the Church me seem to rest not so much on faces or voices or healing power suddenly coming near us from afar, but our perceptions being sharpened, so that for a moment our eyes can see and our ears can still hear what is there around us” (Death comes for the Archbishop).

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# Video | Loretto Chapel Staircase

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Loretto Chapel Staircase Explained

3 Reasons You Need To Visit Loretto Chapel In Santa Fe

There are thousands of beautiful churches and worship centers in the United States, but few rival a small chapel in the heart of New Mexico. History, mystery and beautiful architecture come together at the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe. After exploring this fantastic site, set out to discover all the other wonderful places that make Santa Fe unique. Story

New Mexico Vicariate Jean Baptiste Lamy ordered the completion of the Loretto Chapel in connection with a Catholic education center for women built in 1853 for the Sisters of Mercy. Without the proper supplies, building knowledge, and experienced architects in the area, the Sisters of Loreto prayed a nine-day novena (a series of special prayers and services) to Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. Mystery

On the ninth day of the novena, a man appeared with only a hammer and a carpenter's square and built what is now known as the miraculous staircase. The stair has two full 360 degree bends in a helix shape with no center support posts or any structural support, with the bottom stair bearing the full weight of the structure. While it's hard to take your eyes off the architectural marvel of the miraculous staircase, the rest of Loretto Chapel is absolutely stunning. The Loretto Chapel is just two blocks from Santa Fe Plaza and less than a 15-minute walk from El Farolito. Its proximity to most of Santa Fe's major sights makes it an ideal stopover on your walking tour of one of the country's most unique cities. Tip: Although open every day of the year but one, Loretto Chapel hosts over 100 weddings each year, which can interfere with regular opening hours.

Loretto Chapel Staircase Story

Legend Of The Miraculous Loretto Chapel Staircase

The Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico is known for its unusual spiral staircase which is exceptional carpentry work. History of the Lorette Chapel

In 1872, the bishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe was Jean-Baptiste Lamy. French by birth, he was elected the very first bishop of the diocese and commissioned and supervised the construction of a chapel named Notre-Dame de la Lumière in 1873. Built in the popular neo-Gothic style, the entire chapel was designed by the famous French architect Antoine Mouly. The chapel was not the largest shrine in the world, so a standard staircase was deemed too large to be practical. Without a way to access the attic, the chapel could not function properly. While the probable proposals, suggestions and ideas were debated by members of the construction industry, the sisters considered this to be nothing more than a test of their faith. Loretto Chapel Staircase Legend

The story

Around 1880, the entire order began to pray to Saint Joseph – the patron saint of carpenters – to help find a solution for the chapel stairs. The lone worker, unlike many tradesmen who saw him before him, said it was possible to build a useful staircase to the attic without becoming an eyesore in the available space. While they used the chapel for their own pursuits, the carpenter retired – only returning when the chapel was empty. The carpenter disappears

When the spiral staircase was completed, the sisters were delighted with the result. There are only 33 steps, however, the staircase rotates 360 degrees twice. Thus, people gave the stairs the nickname St. Joseph's Staircase. The Persistent Miracle

The inspiring legend resulted in the creation of books and a 1998 film, titled The Staircase, starring Barbara Hershey and William Petersen. While some of the legends may have been debunked with information about its supposed builder, many people who have seen the stairs say it still makes it a miracle.

Loretto Chapel Staircase No Railing

The Miraculous Loretto Staircase Debunked

However, the architect died before the chapel was completed and it was not until construction was completed that the builders realized that the plan did not include a means of access to the attic of the choir which was 20 feet above. The builders proposed a standard staircase, but the sisters vehemently opposed it as it would reduce the seating capacity on the attic and was unattractive. However, there is nothing miraculous about the staircase, as master carpenters, historians and scientists will tell you. Support

Legend holds that the engineers cannot figure out how the staircase still stands without a central support, but none of that is the case. The structure also has a bracket that connects the outer stringer to one of the posts, keeping the staircase stabilized. However, the wood has now been identified as spruce, but which of the ten species of spruce in North America remains a mystery. Joints

No nails or glue were used in the construction of the chapel staircase, and this was considered remarkable, almost miraculous. However, the use of wooden dowels would become one of the highlights of the staircase as it prevented the joints from degrading. However, in the early 2000s, historian Mary Jean Cook identified François Jean or "Frenchy" Rochas as the probable carpenter.