San Felipe de Neri Church facts for kids
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San Felipe de Neri Church
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San Felipe de Neri Church
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| Location | 2005 North Plaza St. NW Albuquerque, New Mexico |
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| Nearest city | Albuquerque |
| Built | 1793-1860s (the interior was completed in 1916) |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000140 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 1, 1969 |
The San Felipe de Neri Church (which means Iglesia de San Felipe de Neri in Spanish) is a very old and important Catholic church. It is located in Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This church was built in 1793. It is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the city. It's also the only building in Old Town that we know for sure dates back to the time when Spain ruled the area.
The church is listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site. People have used this church continuously for over 200 years!
The San Felipe de Neri Church replaced an even older church. That first church was built when Albuquerque was founded in 1706. It fell apart in the winter of 1792–93.
Later, during the Victorian era, the church was updated. Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy helped add new features. These included Gothic Revival elements like bell towers and a new roof. These changes made the church look more like European churches. This mix of old and new styles makes the church special both in its look and its history.
Contents
History of the Church
The First Church Building
The first church was started in 1706. A missionary named Fray Manuel Moreno helped set it up. He was one of the first people to settle in Albuquerque. The first baptism was recorded in June of that year.
We don't know the exact spot of this first church. It might have been on a different side of the plaza. The church was first named after St. Francis Xavier. But in July 1706, the King of Spain, King Philip V, wanted it named after St. Philip Neri. So, the name was changed to honor the king.
In 1776, a visitor named Fray Atanasio Domínguez checked on the church. He wrote that it faced east and had a walled cemetery. He also noticed that local people still thought the church was named after St. Francis Xavier. Domínguez made sure a painting of St. Philip Neri was put up. Since then, the church has been known as San Felipe de Neri.
Sadly, the first church building was not kept up well. It fell down during the winter of 1792–93.
The Second Church Building
The governor at the time, Fernando de la Concha, was very upset about the church collapsing. He ordered everyone nearby to help build a new one quickly.
The new church started being built in 1793. It had a more detailed design than the old one. It was shaped like a cross and had two bell towers. A building for the Franciscan friars, called a convento, was added on the east side.
In 1817, the Franciscans stopped running the church. The Diocese of Durango took over. This happened because the Franciscans' original job as missionaries was mostly done.
In the 1850s and 60s, Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy helped update the church. He wanted it to look more like churches in Europe. They added a new roof and tall, pointed spires. The altar and pulpit were also updated to look like marble.
In 1867, Italian Jesuits started managing the church. They helped build Our Lady of the Angels School in 1878. They also built a convent for the Sisters of Charity in 1881. The Sisters ran the school.
In 1890, the rectory (the priest's house) was rebuilt. It got a second story and a new front porch. The church's inside was updated again in 1916. It got a new floor and a fancy pressed tin ceiling. In 1965, the church went back to being managed by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. It is still a working church today.
Church Architecture
The San Felipe de Neri Church is shaped like a cross. It has very thick adobe walls. The ceiling has wooden beams called vigas and carved supports. These parts are from the original building in the 1700s.
Like most old churches in New Mexico, it has a single main room called a nave. It also has a rounded end called an apse. The apse and other parts of the church have a higher ceiling. There is also a low choir loft above the main entrance.
The church is special because it mixes different styles. It has the traditional adobe shape with Victorian decorations added on top. The outside has two bell towers, added around 1861. These towers show a local version of the Gothic Revival style, made with local materials.
Inside, from the same time period, you can see the altar and pulpit. They are made of wood but painted to look like marble. There's also wooden paneling on the walls. The pressed tin ceiling was put in during 1916.
Other Buildings on the Property
The church property has several other old and interesting buildings.
The Rectory
The rectory is also known as Moreno Hall. It is east of the church. This is where the original convento was built in the 1790s. The current rectory was rebuilt around 1890 by the Jesuits. It's a two-story building made of brick covered in stucco. It has a wide front porch and a special walkway on the roof.
Our Lady of the Angels School
This was the very first public school in Albuquerque. The Jesuits built it in 1878. It's a one-story building with a pointed roof and a small tower called a cupola. It has nice decorations in the Territorial style. This school building is also listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sister Blandina Convent
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The convent is attached to the west side of the church. It was built in 1881 for the Sisters of Charity. People said it was the first two-story adobe building in Old Town. Building it was hard for local workers. They had to bring in a special builder from Santa Fe to lay the stone foundation.
The convent is named after Blandina Segale. She helped watch over its construction. Sister Blandina became famous for her adventures in the American West. The Sisters lived and worked in the convent until the late 1970s.
Other Buildings
There are also a few other smaller buildings on the church property. These include a barn, a stable, and a parish hall. All these buildings are set around a central courtyard.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Felipe de Neri (Albuquerque) para niños
