8A-H709
58 OLDEST CHURCH IN U.S., SAN MIGUEL
MISSION, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
Authorities differ as to the date of the
ż building of this Mission for the worship of
the Pueblo Indians. It is certain that it was
built after the Spanish Capitol was removed
to Santa Fe in 1605. It is also certain that
it was the first mission or church built, as a
priest complained that the Franciscans in
zeal to convert the pagan Indians had neg-
lected a place of worship for the Spaniards.
During the Indian Rebellion of 1680 it was
burned with all properties and records. The :
walls remained, so that on the re-conquest
by DeVargas in 1692 only slight repairs were
required and the original appearance re-
mains to this day. It is still a place of wor.
ship and visited daily under the guidance of
an instructive priest.
