The Chapel of San Miguel represents a significant example of early colonial religious architecture in Santa Fe. Don Augustin Flores de Vergara is the architect of the chapel built in 1710, making it one of the region’s important historical structures from this period.
The chapel features a notable sanctuary with an altar screen that was custom designed by a local artisan known as the Laguna santero. This decorative screen was specifically created to display a collection of Mexican paintings on canvas along with bultos, which are traditional carved wooden religious figures. The arrangement demonstrates the blend of imported and locally-created sacred art that characterizes Spanish colonial religious spaces in the Southwest.
The building is distinguished by its tower, which remains a recognizable landmark in Santa Fe’s historic district. The structure reflects the architectural traditions and construction methods characteristic of early 18th-century New Mexico.
