Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/03/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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