If you ever find yourself near Santa Fe, New Mexico, you could easily spend an entire day visiting Catholic sites in and around the city. While many are familiar with the miraculous staircase at the Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe is also home to a rich collection of lesser-known yet deeply spiritual and historic sites.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
During a cross-country road trip, my family set aside a full day to explore the area’s sanctuaries and venerate its relics. Our journey began with daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Built between 1776 and 1795, the shrine served the growing 18th-century community along the Santa Fe River, just beyond the bustling Plaza at the end of the Santa Fe Trail.
Today, this historic area—known as the Guadalupe District—links the railyard to downtown Santa Fe and remains a defining part of the city’s identity. The church, along with a recently installed bronze statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe gazing across the Santa Fe River toward the Plaza, stands as a powerful testament to the city’s Catholic heritage. Notably, it is the oldest shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in the United States.
