Regardless of your religious beliefs, many churches have awe-inspiring architecture that anyone can appreciate. New Mexico is brimming with impressive houses of worship, some large and well known, others almost forgotten over time. Here are a few of the most beautiful churches in New Mexico.

1. Basilica of San Albino, Mesilla
Flickr/Kolin Toney
Flickr/thaths
Although the current Romanesque building was constructed in 1906, its bells date back to the 1870s and 1880s.
2. San Geronimo at Taos Pueblo, Taos
Flickr/Thomas Raymond
Lane Billings
The sight of the San Geronimo church against the backdrop of one of Taos’s azure skies is absolutely stunning. You can even spot the straw used to strengthen the adobe bricks, woven through the walls.
3. San Felipe de Neri, Albuquerque
Flickr/Northern Lights 119
Flickr/Jacqueline Poggi
The current building is the second church to stand on this site. The "new" structure, which was constructed in 1793, is on the National Register of Historic Places and has five-foot thick adobe walls.
4. Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe
Flickr/Rennett Stowe
Flickr/Michael Martin
Flickr/James Bailey
Colonists transported "Our Lady of the Rosary" or "La Conquistadora" to Santa Fe in 1625. This makes the statue the oldest one of the Virgin Mary in the United States. It is housed in the city’s basilica, which was completed in 1887. Well, except for the spires. They were never added due to lack of funds.
5. San Miguel Chapel, Santa Fe
Flickr/Anne-Claude Faillétaz
Lane Billings
The San Miguel Chapel has the honor of being the oldest church in the continental United States. Records that far back are sketchy, but it was definitely built before 1628, mostly likely in 1610.
6. San Miguel Mission, Socorro
Flickr/Andy Smith
Flickr/Johnida Dockens
The main part of the San Miguel Mission dates back to between 1615 and 1626, the timeframe during which the original part of the church was built. During the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, the church’s precious items, including a solid silver communion rail, were buried for safekeeping. Despite numerous attempts to locate this missing treasure since, no one has found it.
7. Cristo Rey Church, Near Montezuma
Flickr/Lane B

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Flickr/Lane B
This tiny church, off Route 65, is covered in vibrant murals.
8. San Ysidro Church, Village of San Ysidro
Flickr/Don
Flickr/Ingrid Truemper
This church, from 1868, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
9. Sacred Heart Church, Quemado
Flickr/cobalt123
Flickr/cobalt123
Some of New Mexico’s prettiest churches are those you stumble upon by accident, like this one in teeny Quemado.
10. San José de Gracia Church, Las Trampas
Flickr/Thaddeus Roan
Flickr/Dave Hensley
Or this one, with such ornate woodwork that drivers along the High Road to Taos feel compelled to pull over.
11. Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe
Flickr/Jeff Few
Flickr/Kevin Cole
Flickr/kenkopal
Other New Mexican churches, like the Loretto Chapel, have a much higher profile. Although it’s renowned for its miraculous staircase, the whole building is impressive. The chapel is Gothic—unusual around here—and was inspired by the design of Sainte Chapelle in Paris.
12. El Sanctuario de Chimayó, Chimayó
Flickr/Corita Cazares
El Sanctuario de Chimayó is similar to Lourdes because people believe that it is a place of miracles and healing. Here, it is holy dirt, not water, that believers collect. Judging by the number of discarded crutches, there really might be something special about this place.
13. Santo Niño Chapel, Chimayó
Lane Billings
Lane Billings
Nearby, this small chapel is devoted to children.
14. St Joseph’s on the Rio Grande, Albuquerque
Flickr/AmyM Howard
While St. Joseph’s is a newer parish, with a briefer history than many New Mexican churches, this picture is too, ahem, striking to leave out!

Which of these churches in New Mexico have you visited? What’s your favorite house of worship in New Mexico?

You can learn more about the oldest church in the United States, located in New Mexico, by clicking here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Most Beautiful Churches In New Mexico

Leah | May 21, 2020

What are the oldest places in New Mexico?

There are many historic places in New Mexico beyond the oldest church. The absolute oldest settlement in the state is the Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo. The buildings in Taos have been around - and lived in, believe it or not - for over 1,000 years. Many of the next oldest places in the Land of Enchantment are in Santa Fe, the oldest city in the state and home to some truly old buildings. Some of the buildings have been around since the early 1600s, centuries before New Mexico was established. Santa Fe is also home to the country's oldest church, the San Miguel Mission.

What is the most well known church in New Mexico?

Throughout the history of New Mexico, many of the churches have become well known for various reasons, from their beauty, their age, to their stories. But none are quite as beloved and visited as El Santuario de Chimayó. This particular church is famous for one specific reason: the holy dirt it is said to possess. Thousands of people have made a pilgrimage to this specific church to receive the soil, which is said to have healing powers. You can discover more information about this unusual church by clicking here.

What's the most beautiful place in New Mexico?

Along with gorgeous churches, there are many stunning things to see in New Mexico. If you love architecture, you might enjoy a tour of the beautiful and intricately hand-carved caves made by artist Ra Paulette. If you enjoy a more natural look, any one of these 11 beautiful spots in New Mexico will do. The list ranges from the intriguing colors and formations of the Bisti Badlands, the jaw-dropping White Sands, and the gorgeous valleys of Valle Caldera. When it comes to picturesque small towns, Mesilla, Cerrillos, and Eagle Nest all make great options to visit. Needless to say, there is no shortage of beauty in the Land of Enchantment.

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Featured Addresses
Basilica of San Albino, 2280 Calle Principal, Mesilla, NM 88046, USA
San Geronimo, Taos, NM 87571, USA
2005 N Plaza St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, 131 Cathedral Pl, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
San Miguel Chapel, 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
1120 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
5015 Corrales Rd, Corrales, NM 87048, USA
3 Parish Ln, Quemado, NM 87829, USA
2377-2381 NM-76, Chamisal, NM 87521, USA
207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Santuario de Chimayo, 15 Santuario Dr, Chimayo, NM 87522, USA
6 Santuario Dr, Chimayo, NM 87522, USA
4080 St Josephs Pl NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, USA