San Felipe de Neri church, Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque, New Mexico. June 12, 2011.
This is my post for the Scenic Sunday meme, which shares beautiful scenes from around the world. To see more Scenic Sunday posts, or to join and show your own pictures, click HERE.
We got to Albuquerque late on the afternoon of Sunday, June 12. After finding our motel and checking in, we headed toward the Plaza in Old Town to vista San Felipe de Neri church.
The original church of San Felipe de Neri was started in 1706, and completed by 1718-19. During the very rainy summer of 1792, the original church collapsed. The current church building was constructed the following year. This church, in the shape of a cross, was constructed of adobe; the walls are 5 feet thick.
The former Sisters of Charity convent attached to the church.
The two towers were added in 1861, and a two-story convent was added in 1881. The church was renovated in 1916, and again in 2000. But except for the tin ceiling, brick floor, and south entrance, the church is the same structure it was in 1793.
The rectory garden of San Felipe de Neri church.
Unfortunately, we arrived too late in the day to see the interior of the church. I guess we’ll just have to go back to see that.
Tags: Scenic Sunday, Travels
Senior Moments 
July 18, 2011 at 12:14 am |
What a beautiful church! I do love those old churches in New Mexico and California! I’ve been able to visit a few and they are very inspiring and beautiful! Love your captures as always.Hope you have a great week, George!
Sylvia
July 18, 2011 at 4:36 am |
Very beautiful, George. Hope you have a good week.
July 18, 2011 at 7:27 am |
I bet the interior is just gorgeous if the exterior is any indication.
July 18, 2011 at 7:59 am |
i enlarged the photos an this is a really beautiful church and can be added to my bucket list
July 18, 2011 at 9:23 am |
What a beautiful place…so much history here! I can’t believe the walls are 5 feet thick. OY.
July 18, 2011 at 10:29 am |
What a beautiful place. Too bad you didn’t get to go inside. Perhaps on another trip…
July 18, 2011 at 12:01 pm |
Loved catching up on your recent posts! I am not happy with Bambi feasting at your flower bed! Thanks so much for sharing all the other beautiful photos. Southern Alberta looks in places much like the wide open spaces of Texas. That church is simply beautiful! You will have to go back to see the inside! Blessings!
July 18, 2011 at 1:21 pm |
It really does appear to be in fabulous condition!
July 18, 2011 at 1:36 pm |
Very interesting ! This church is very old and beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
July 18, 2011 at 3:37 pm |
This time say with us on your way down there! Montrose has a HIE, if you prefer.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
July 18, 2011 at 4:41 pm |
Very interesting photos George. Typical combination of Spanish and Moorish architecture. Very typical around the Seville area of Spain. I think the reason for the thick walls is to keep the interior of the church and convent cooler from the summer heat. I guess it has to do with history as New Mexico was once Spanish domain?
Colin (HB)
July 18, 2011 at 7:10 pm |
Beautiful church and convent. Yes, that’s definitely a bona fide excuse to return!!
July 18, 2011 at 11:14 pm |
Wow, hard to believe something has lasted that long! I want to think and google this to see if I can see photos of the inside.
July 19, 2011 at 1:05 am |
Yes Rose, you can “google” this church, here is the link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Felipe_de_Neri_Church
In church age, it is not that old.
Colin (HB)
July 19, 2011 at 6:46 am |
Beautiful structure!
July 19, 2011 at 2:23 pm |
What a beautiful church! Wish you could have gone in too….when we went to Boston with the kids and saw many of the churches ~ oh the history they have. The beauty is just amazing! Isn’t it just awesome all of the intricate detail they have….from the windows to the floors ~ Just…. WOW!!!
July 19, 2011 at 3:39 pm |
Aren’t the churches in New Mexico great. What I remember when we went in this church is that the pews are low to the floor. I guess everyone was shorter when it was built.
July 20, 2011 at 4:52 pm |
That is a neat looking church. I wished you had gotten to see the inside.
July 22, 2011 at 4:36 am |
Thank You George presenting this church. To me as a church photographed this church was vey exquisite. Lovely. photos.