Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/03/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Here are a couple of pictures of the place: http://www.kencarney.com/NM_HTML/tif_0044.htm http://www.kencarney.com/Icons_HTML/tif_0066.htm Ken > -----Original Message----- > From: lug-bounces+kcarney1=cox.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug- > bounces+kcarney1=cox.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Frank Filippone > Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2007 4:00 PM > To: 'Leica Users Group' > Subject: [Leica] Lug Meeting Santa Fe Photo Op > > There is an old Church in old Santa Fe that has a wonderful staircase > leading to the choir loft. > The Church was de-consecrated, and is now a museum. Long and fascinating > story about the staircase.... > > The Historic Churches of Santa Fe, New Mexico > Loretto Chapel > Loretto Chapel, constructed in the 1870s, is believed to be the first > Gothic structure built west of the Mississippi. It served as > the Loretto Academy, operated by the Sisters of Loretto. A design flaw > existed in the chapel, as there was no way to get to the > choir loft from the main floor. Many carpenters were consulted for a > solution, but all of them felt that a traditional stairway > would take up too much room. Most suggested that a ladder be used or the > balcony be reconstructed. > > The Sisters sought divine guidance, and on the ninth and final day of > their Novena, a mysterious carpenter appeared who designed and > constructed a circular stairway to the loft. His "miraculous stairway" > contains 33 steps in two full 360-degree turns, with no > center support, nor is it held from the sides. Upon completing the > stairway, the carpenter disappeared without receiving payment for > his work. > > Loretto Chapel is located at 207 Old Santa Fe Trail, two blocks south of > the historic Santa Fe Plaza. It is privately operated and > is open to the public. > > If you like viewing old Churches, Santa Fe and vicinity has lots. But > this one is a real stunner, and the history is just great. > For the unitiated, a circular stairway without center support, is about as > hard as it gets. > > Have fun..... > > Frank Filippone > red735i@earthlink.net > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information