Located on the north side of Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque, New Mexico, San Felipe de Neri Church is a historic Catholic church offering a fascinating glimpse into the area's rich past. Built in 1793, this parish is one of the city's oldest surviving structures and the only building in Old Town proven to date to the Spanish colonial period. Having operated continuously for over two centuries, it is listed on both the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.
When you visit, you will observe a unique architectural fusion that overlays Victorian embellishments onto a traditional adobe structure. The single-nave, cruciform building retains its original 18th-century thick adobe walls, wooden vigas, carved corbels, and a low choir loft. During your tour of the interior, notice the pressed tin ceiling from 1916 alongside Victorian-era additions, such as wooden cabinetry, wainscoting, and an altar and pulpit cleverly painted to resemble marble.
On the exterior, admire the twin bell towers featuring Gothic Revival spires added around 1861. Surrounding the central courtyard, you can also view historical ancillary buildings, including the two-story rectory, the Sister Blandina Convent, and Our Lady of the Angels School.
What to see at San Felipe de Neri Church
- The only Old Town building proven to date to the Spanish colonial period
- Original 18th-century adobe walls, wooden vigas, and carved corbels
- Twin bell towers showcasing vernacular Gothic Revival spires from around 1861
- An interior altar and pulpit meticulously painted to look like marble
- Historic campus buildings including Albuquerque's first public school from 1878
Visiting tips
Take time to walk around the central courtyard to see the historic rectory, convent, and former school building surrounding the main church.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
San Felipe de Neri Church is easy to reach on Albuquerque’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Albuquerque travel guide.
See the full Albuquerque travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.