San Felipe de Neri Church – Albuquerque, New Mexico

DATE VISITED:  04/28/2015

HISTORICAL SITE:  San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church

 

LOCATION:  2005 N. Plaza St., Albuquerque, Bernalillo Co., New Mexico

MARKER #:  69000140

DEDICATED:  Federal: October 1, 1969 / State: February 21, 1969

“Historic Landmarks Survey. San Felipe De Neri 1793”

“1793-1993

In recognition of the significant role it has played in the history of our City, State and Country, San Felipe de Neri Church is on the National and State registers of historic places.

San Felipe de Neri Church has continuously served as a House of Prayer for nearly two hundred years. Presently efforts are being made to restore and preserve this landmark for future generations. This process will take several years to complete.

Your support of this project is greatly appreciated. Inquiries may be directed to the San Felipe de Neri property manager or the Parish office.”

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: 

From the beginning of planning our trip, this was one of the places I knew I really wanted to visit.

Whenever I go in to a Catholic Church, the first thing I always notice is the “stoup” or holy water font. Being baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church, it is very hard for me to pass by and not bless myself and again, very hard from me not to feel drawn to genuflect once I enter the church proper. I’m sure the priests would find it interesting that the training they gave me so many years ago is still so strong even though I have not been a practicing Catholic for many, many years.

I have always been in awe of how ornate a lot of Catholic churches can be, but this church is different. It’s very simple compared to, say, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Downtown Sacramento. But there is beauty in simplicity too and it was amazing to sit in the pews and ponder the history this church has seen.

The original church, built by the early settlers, was, along with Old Town Albuquerque, founded in 1706. That church served the parishioners until it collapsed in a heavy rain in 1792.

By April 1793, a new church was built and that church is still in use today. While it was originally built in the Indian pueblo adobe style, once the Jesuits arrived in the mid 1800’s, an Italian Baroque marble look that was so common was incorporated.

Between 1792 and today, you would be think there were major renovations but one of the things touted in the application for historical designation was that each renovation was done as simply as possible keeping true to the look of the church.  

Renovations such as the one in 1916 when they painted inside and added the tin ceiling, or the one in 1972 when the packed dirt floor was finally replaced with the brick that is still there today. In 2006, they refurbished the alters, painted and added new pews. Currently, there is an extensive renovation going on although I didn’t see any sign of it during our visit.

The patron saint of the Church is St. Philip Neri and a statue of the Saint holds a place of honor on the alter…the middle niche.

St. Philip was called the “saint of joy” as he was known to be easygoing, cheerful, and had a playful sense of humor. The penances he handed out after confessions were known to be outrageous and silly thereby “effectively combated their weaknesses and pride”.

Each June, the Church holds a 3 day fiesta in his honor and have for over 3 centuries.

No one can do pageantry quite like the Catholic Church. You won’t find any of that here, but this place…here…its not needed.