San Felipe de Neri Church
a.k.a. San Francisco Xavier,San Felipe Apostol
Old Town Plaza, NW, Albuquerque, NMSan Felipe de Neri is notable primarily for its surviving and easily interpreted record of architectural evolution spanning more than two and a half centuries. It was built in 1706, the year that saw the founding of Albuquerque; the certificate of founding was issued by Governor Cuervo y Valdes. The Franciscan, Fray Francisco Atanasio Dominguez, described the original building in his report of 1776.
San Felipe was rebuilt in 1793. Nineteenth-century changes reflect the influence of a change in church administration following the establishment of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe under Archbishop Lamy, and other changes resulting from the coming of the railroad and an influx of settlers from the midwest and elsewhere.
Through the centuries the church has been in continuous use by a population that has progressively adapted the building to new conditions and new preferences. Considered separately, each stratum of construction provides as fine an example of its period as may be found in New Mexico today. The massive adobe walls with wood vigas and elaborately carved corbels date from the 18th century and are rivaled by not more than six churches in New Mexico. The mid to late 19th-century exterior, including two bell towers, shows an extraordinary development in New Mexican folk art, which has now been lost from all of New Mexico's large churches with the exception of San Felipe. The chant cel and sacristies contain some of the finest existing examples of New Mexican interpretations of Greek revival and Victorian cabinet work and decoration. However, the great architectural value of the complex derives from the unique amalgamation of work from each era. Essentially all of New Mexico's post-Spanish past is contained and synthesized in San Felipe de Neri.
Dr. Bunting adds: "The resultant architecture may sometimes seem naive, but it is as sincere as it is possible to be, and lit belongs to a specific time and place. The same particular combination of circumstances that coalesce in the Rio Grande Valley at this time were not repeated anywhere else in the world
Local significance of the building:
San Felipe was rebuilt in 1793. Nineteenth-century changes reflect the influence of a change in church administration following the establishment of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe under Archbishop Lamy, and other changes resulting from the coming of the railroad and an influx of settlers from the midwest and elsewhere.
Through the centuries the church has been in continuous use by a population that has progressively adapted the building to new conditions and new preferences. Considered separately, each stratum of construction provides as fine an example of its period as may be found in New Mexico today. The massive adobe walls with wood vigas and elaborately carved corbels date from the 18th century and are rivaled by not more than six churches in New Mexico. The mid to late 19th-century exterior, including two bell towers, shows an extraordinary development in New Mexican folk art, which has now been lost from all of New Mexico's large churches with the exception of San Felipe. The chant cel and sacristies contain some of the finest existing examples of New Mexican interpretations of Greek revival and Victorian cabinet work and decoration. However, the great architectural value of the complex derives from the unique amalgamation of work from each era. Essentially all of New Mexico's post-Spanish past is contained and synthesized in San Felipe de Neri.
Dr. Bunting adds: "The resultant architecture may sometimes seem naive, but it is as sincere as it is possible to be, and lit belongs to a specific time and place. The same particular combination of circumstances that coalesce in the Rio Grande Valley at this time were not repeated anywhere else in the world
Architecture; Religion
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
New Mexico was the birthplace of several famous figures in American history, including the outlaw Billy the Kid, the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, and the astronaut Harrison Schmitt, who was one of the last men to walk on the moon.
About Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County Timeline
Bernalillo County, located in the central part of the U.S. state of New Mexico, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Tiwa and Tanoan people, who lived off the land and established settlements along the Rio Grande.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
Bernalillo County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
- 1692: Bernalillo County established as part of New Spain's Santa Ana Pueblo land grant.
- 1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain, and Bernalillo County becomes part of the Republic of Mexico.
- 1848: Bernalillo County is ceded to the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War.
- 1852: Bernalillo County officially organized as a county within the New Mexico Territory.
- 1880: Completion of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line through Bernalillo County stimulates growth and development in the region.
- 1902: The county seat is moved from Albuquerque to nearby Los Ranchos.
- 1930: The county seat is moved back to Albuquerque due to the city's rapid growth and importance.
- 1960s: Bernalillo County experiences significant population growth as a result of urbanization and suburban development.
- 2000s: Bernalillo County implements various initiatives to promote economic development, community engagement, and sustainable growth.