San Miguel Mission

San Miguel Mission is the oldest church in the United States. It was originally built in the early 1600s by Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico under the direction of Franciscan Friars. It was destroyed during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. It was rebuilt in 1710 after the Spanish reconquest. The high ceiling shows a perfect example of vigas (log rafters) used in Spanish Colonial buildings. The colorful reredos (altar screen) dates from 1798. The bulto (wooden carving) of San Miguel, believed to be the oldest carving of the Saint in the U.S., was brought from Mexico in 1709. There's one Mass at week on Sundays at 5pm. Cross DeVargas Street where you'll find what's claimed to be the oldest house in the country dating to 1646. It's believed that some of the foundation dates back over 1,000 years. While there explore the Barrio Analco, the neighborhood established in 1598.