The Mysterious Staircase of Loretto Chapel

Visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico is a treat for me. I have only been there twice, once last November and once last week. This last visit last week was for a mini family reunion for my husband's side of the family - the Thompkins/Reeves/Stockton side. We went to Uncle Tom and Aunt Marty's house and were joined by Mama & Papa from California, Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary and cousin Wilson from Utah. And of course, Will, Allie and I.

The Loretto Chapel

Last November we went there for Thanksgiving and had a lot of fun. Uncle Tom and Aunt Marty live on a 12 1/2 acre property in the outskirts of Santa Fe called the "Wild Wind Ranch". We enjoy walking the arroyo, playing on Uncle Tom's 3WD toys and seeing the sights. And of course, I take photos. But in November, we did not get to go see the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, which I really wanted to photograph as I had heard the amazing story behind the staircase in the chapel. They promised me the next time we came to Santa Fe, they would take me to see it and on June 12, 2011, we did just that.

The story behind the chapel is this:

Exterior. Loretto Chapel

In September of 1852, the sisters of Loretto came from Kentucky by steamer and covered wagon to the Southwest, finally arriving in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After dealing with many tradgedies along the way, by the time they arrived there were just 6 of them left. Even their superior Mother Matilda had died of cholera along the way.

After living in a small adobe house, it was clear that the sisters were to fulfill the intentions of Bishop Lamy who had brought them to Santa Fe - they were to build a convent and school to teach the local people. They hired a crew of Mexican carpenters who began to build the structure. It would be called the "Loretto Academy of Our Lady of Light".

The Sainte Chapelle in France

Bishop Lamy was from France and wanted the sisters convent to be Gothic in style, modeled after the Sainte Chapelle in France and it was to have a choir loft at the rear of the chapel. Fact is, the Loretto Chapel was the first Gothic structure to be built west of the Mississippi.

Exterior, Sainte Chapelle, France

The chapel was jus 25 feet by 75 feet at a height of 85 feet and was beautiful beyond belief, as was the choir loft. However, when the chapel was almost complete, they realized there was a huge flaw in the design of the chapel. They had forgotten to add a staircase up to the choir loft. Because of the design of the chapel and the height of the loft, there was not enough room to build a traditional staircase up to the loft area as it would take up to much room downstairs in the chapel. They debated the options; use a latter, rebuild the choir loft or tear down the structure and start again, which would have been a terrible thing to do.

Design feature, Loretto Chapel

Design feature, Sainte Chapelle

The new Mother, Mother Magdalen, brought in many carpenters to try and build a staircase. Each time she was told the same thing, "It can't be done Mother". The Sisters of Loretto were dedicated to St. Joseph, and decided that they would make a novena (a prayer for 9 days straight) to him and pray for a practical answer to the staircase problem.

On the 9th and final day of the novena, a miracle happened. An old man showed up with a donkey and a tool chest and asked Mother if he could attempt to build a staircase for the chapel. Mother gave her consent and the carpenter began to work.

According to the story, this man had only a hammer, a saw, a T-square and a tubs of water that were used to soak wood in. It is said that he worked 6-8 months on the staircase. When the staircase was finished and Mother Magdalen went to pay him for his work, the man vanished. She then went to the local lumber yard, thinking she would at least pay for the wood used on the staircase to no avail. They knew nothing of a bill for the lumber.

The staircase is really a piece of art. There are 33 steps and no supporting pole in the middle like most circular staircases. The staircase makes two complete 360 degree turns, apparently hanging in mid air. Many architects that have looked at the staircase have said that by the laws of gravity, it should have collapsed the minute someone stood on it, yet it has remained in good working order and has been used on a daily bases for over 100 years.

One last note for my readers here - the Chapel of Our Lady of Light was dedicated on April 25, 1878. The staircase banisters were not part of the original design but were added later due to some of the sisters being afraid of walking up and down the stairs with nothing to hold on to. These were added approximately 2 years after the initial construction of the staircase.

Sainte Chapelle, France

Loretto Chapel

Many people from all over the world come to visit this beautiful chapel and to see the mysterious staircase. I was no exception. I love traveling and seeing unexplainable things like this from our American History. I love to hear stories about the people we once were, where we have come from and the struggles we conquered. Migrating to the Southwest from somewhere else in our country. The 1800's were a wonderful time period for some of the greatest historical Western movements. I love learning about these times and it's stories like this that keep my mind wandering to far away lands, in a different time period and absolutely capture my heart.