About Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (Historic Church) · Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (commonly called Saint Francis Cathedral) is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and one of the most recognizable religious landmarks in the American Southwest. Designed in the Romanesque Revival style by French architects and built largely by Italian stonemasons at the direction of Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, its massive yellow-limestone walls rise in stark contrast to the surrounding adobe architecture of downtown Santa Fe. The basilica contains the historic La Conquistadora Chapel — a remnant of the earlier 1710s adobe parish church — which houses the oldest statue of the Virgin Mary in the United States. Elevated to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, it remains an active cathedral parish with daily and Sunday Masses, a St. Vincent de Paul Society, an Ecumenical Committee with neighboring downtown churches, and a long tradition of pilgrimage tied to the annual Fiesta de Santa Fe.
- Established
- 1610 (first church on site); parish refounded 1714; cathedral built 1869–1887
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi (also Patron Saint of Santa Fe)
- Rector
- Very Rev. John D. Cannon (Pastor/Rector)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Why belong here
The Cathedral Basilica offers a rare combination: the active liturgical life of a downtown cathedral parish — daily Mass in San José Chapel, a Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses (one livestreamed) and Saturday confessions — alongside ministries that radiate outward into Santa Fe. Parishioners can join the Altar Society (caring for the cathedral's altars, flowers and linens since 1921), serve as docents welcoming thousands of visitors each year, take Holy Communion to the homebound, minister as lectors, altar servers, or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, walk with neighbors through the Ecumenical Committee of the Downtown Churches alongside First Presbyterian and Holy Faith Episcopal, support the St. Vincent de Paul Society in providing rent, utility and food assistance, and share in the cathedral's deep ties to New Mexico's Hispanic and Franciscan heritage — including the annual Fiesta de Santa Fe procession of La Conquistadora.
Mass times at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (Historic Church)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday Eucharistic Adoration 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM (per parish bulletin)
Our Parish History
The parish's history stretches back more than four centuries to 1598, when Franciscan friars accompanied Spanish colonists north from Mexico City. The present Romanesque Revival cathedral was conceived by Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, designed by French architects Antoine and Projectus Molny, and built between 1869 and 1887 by French and Italian stone masons working around the still-functioning adobe La Parroquia. Dedicated in 1887, the cathedral was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI on October 4, 2005, the feast of its patron St. Francis of Assisi. Seven archbishops of Santa Fe are buried within the sanctuary.
- 1598 — Franciscans enter New Mexico with Spanish colonists
- 1610 — Santa Fe founded; first church built on this site
- 1630 — Larger adobe church replaces the first; destroyed in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt
- 1714 — La Parroquia built on the same site, named for St. Francis of Assisi
- 1850 — Jean-Baptiste Lamy arrives as first bishop of Santa Fe (diocese erected 1853)
- 1869 — Construction of the present stone cathedral begins
- 1887 — Cathedral dedicated; twin 160-ft steeples never built
- 1967 — Structural renewal, new sacristies, Blessed Sacrament Chapel added
- 1986 — Quasthoff bronze front doors installed
- 1987 — Centenary altar screen depicting saints of North and South America installed
- 2005 — Elevated to minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI
La Conquistadora Chapel
Tucked into the north transept, the small adobe La Conquistadora Chapel is the oldest part of the cathedral complex — the only surviving walls of the 1714 La Parroquia. It houses La Conquistadora, a wooden Madonna statue brought north from Spain in the early 1620s (traditionally dated 1625–1626) and recognized as the oldest representation of the Virgin Mary in the United States. Behind the statue stands a stacked gilded reredos of two mid-1700s altar sections salvaged from La Parroquia (restored in 1957) with seven oil paintings, four attributed in 1976 to the Mexican master Miguel Cabrera. The coffins of two early Franciscan priests lie to the left of the reredos. The chapel is a contributing property of the Santa Fe Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places (1973).
- Oldest representation of the Virgin Mary in the United States
- Surviving walls of 1714 La Parroquia
- Stacked mid-1700s wooden reredos with seven oil paintings (four attributed to Miguel Cabrera)
- Coffins of two early Franciscan priests preserved in the chapel
- Starting point of the annual Fiesta de Santa Fe procession of La Conquistadora
Liturgy & Music Ministries
Gabriel Gabaldón serves as the Pastoral Associate / Director of Liturgy. Lay liturgical ministries include Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, ministers to the Home-bound, Altar Servers (Grade 4 and up after First Eucharist), Lectors (Ministers of the Word), Ministers of Hospitality and Adult Servers. The Music Ministry is led by Director of Music Carmen Florez-Mansi, with Principal Organist Bob Miltenberger, Principal Pianist Terry Garcia and Music Assistant Tom Mansi.
- Director of Liturgy: Gabriel Gabaldón (505.955.8867, [email protected])
- Director of Music: Carmen Florez-Mansi (505.955.8870, [email protected])
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ministers to the Home-bound
- Altar Servers (boys and girls, Grade 4+)
- Lectors / Ministers of the Word
- Ministers of Hospitality
- Adult Servers
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is led by Director of Adult Faith Formation Joann Reier and Director of Religious Education Robin Chavez. Registration as a parishioner is required before serving as a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor; forms are available on the parish website under the Parish Registration tab or in the parish office (adults 18 and older register under their own name).
- Adult Faith Formation — Joann Reier
- Religious Education for children — Robin Chavez
- Youth Ministry — Carlos Martinez (Director of Administration & Youth)
- Parish registration required for Godparent / Confirmation Sponsor roles
Pastoral Care, Outreach and Service
The parish supports several longstanding outreach ministries. The St. Vincent de Paul Society assists those in crisis with food, rent, utilities, clothing and other basic necessities (505.780.4788). The Sacred Heart League raises funds (notably through bake sales) to purchase hosts for Mass and meets four times a year. Treasures of Wisdom ministers to parishioners over 50 through spiritual, social, educational and cultural activities. Living Our Faith ministers between the Cathedral Basilica and Cristo Rey Parish through service projects.
- Saint Vincent de Paul Society (505.780.4788)
- Sacred Heart League (hosts for Mass)
- Treasures of Wisdom (seniors 50+)
- Living Our Faith Ministry (with Cristo Rey Parish — livingourfaith.info)
- Ministries to the homebound
Ecumenical & Community Partnerships
The Ecumenical Committee of the Downtown Churches brings together the Cathedral Basilica, First Presbyterian Church and Holy Faith Episcopal Church for shared faith events and lectures. The committee sponsors the Palm Sunday Procession, Las Fiestas events (Pet Parade, Candlelight Procession to Martyr's Hill), Las Posadas, and a number of annual ecumenical faith gatherings. Members of the three congregations meet four times a year; smaller subcommittees handle planning.
- Joint committee with First Presbyterian and Holy Faith Episcopal
- Palm Sunday Procession
- Pet Parade and Candlelight Procession to Martyr's Hill
- Las Posadas celebration
- Quarterly meetings and joint lectures
Parish Organizations and Devotional Societies
Founded in 1921, the Altar Society of St. Francis of Assisi cares for the altars, flowers and linens of the cathedral and supports parish, diocesan and inter-parish events. The Cathedral Docents program welcomes visitors and answers questions about the basilica's history and architecture. The 1610 Legacy Society honors those who have remembered the Cathedral Basilica in their estate planning; charter and current members are listed in the weekly bulletin.
- Altar Society (since 1921; $25/year membership)
- Cathedral Docents (contact [email protected], 505.955.8866)
- 1610 Legacy Society (planned giving)
Sacraments and Marriage Preparation
The cathedral celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Couples preparing for marriage work with Marriage Coordinator Terry Garcia. Baptisms, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and funeral rites are coordinated through the parish office; funerals and weddings may occasionally affect the cathedral's visitor hours.
- Marriage Preparation — Terry Garcia, 505.955.8862, [email protected]
- Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation — Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM
- Funerals / Weddings may affect visitor hours
Fiesta de Santa Fe and the Solemn Feast of St. Francis (October 4)
As the patron of Santa Fe, St. Francis is honored with a Solemn Mass on October 4. The preceding weekend brings the Fiesta de Santa Fe — one of the oldest continuously observed public celebrations in the United States — whose origins reach back to Governor Don Diego de Vargas's 1692 vow. The weekend opens with the 6:00 AM Misa del Pregón (Proclamation Mass) at the cathedral, followed by the solemn procession of La Conquistadora through the streets, the Desfile de los Niños and Desfile de la Gente, and a Mariachi Extravaganza; many parishes across the Archdiocese hold their own observances, including Blessings of the Animals.
- Solemn Mass on October 4 (Feast of St. Francis of Assisi)
- Fiesta de Santa Fe (second weekend of September) since 1712
- Misa del Pregón at 6:00 AM Friday of Fiesta weekend
- Annual procession of La Conquistadora from the cathedral
- Blessing of the Animals tradition
Pastoral Team and Staff
The parish is served by Archbishop John C. Wester (residing Archbishop of Santa Fe), Pastor/Rector Very Rev. John D. Cannon, Deacons Rev. Mr. Joe Garcia, Rev. Mr. Martin Gallegos and Rev. Mr. Juan R. Martinez, and a full lay-staff team including directors of Liturgy, Music, Faith Formation, Religious Education, Finance & Operations, Administration & Youth, and a Marriage Coordinator, Sacristan, Gift Shop Manager and Maintenance staff. Contacts and direct extensions are published in every parish bulletin.
- Pastor/Rector: Very Rev. John D. Cannon (505.955.8860, [email protected])
- Archbishop: Most Rev. John C. Wester
- Deacons: Rev. Mr. Joe Garcia (505.955.8862), Rev. Mr. Martin Gallegos (505.955.8864), Rev. Mr. Juan R. Martinez (505.955.8871)
- Director of Liturgy: Gabriel Gabaldón
- Director of Music: Carmen Florez-Mansi
- Director of Finance & Operations: Tom Mansi
- Director of Administration & Youth: Carlos Martinez
- Director of Adult Faith Formation: Joann Reier
- Director of Religious Education: Robin Chavez
- Marriage Coordinator: Terry Garcia
- Gift Shop Manager: Lori Torrez
- Sacristan: Matthew Encinias; Maintenance: Paul Roth