towers a very distinctive look. Conquistadora Chapel The adjoining Conquistadora Chapel is all that remains of the second Church. Built in 1714, this tiny Chapel houses La Conquistadora, the oldest Madonna in the United States, brought by Franciscan Friars in 1626. Elevation to a basilica On June 15, 2005, Archbishop Sheehan announced that Pope Benedict XVI had designated the cathedral a basilica. The cathedral was officially elevated on October 4, 2005. Its full name, the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi, was consequently changed to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Elevation of Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis - Archdiocese of Santa Fe Loretto Chapel The archdiocese is also the home of the Loretto Chapel, which contains an ascending spiral staircase—the building of which the Sisters of Loretto consider to be a miracle due to the unusual construction of the staircase (see Loretto Chapel for a more detailed discussion). Education High schools St. Michael's High School, Santa Fe St. Pius X High School, Albuquerque Suffragan sees Gallup Las Cruces Phoenix Tucson See also Anton Docher Catholic Church by country Catholic Church in the United States Ecclesiastical Province of Santa Fe Catholic Church by country Jean-Baptiste Lamy List of Catholic archdioceses (by country and continent) List of Catholic dioceses (alphabetical) (including archdioceses) List of Catholic dioceses (structured view) (including archdioceses) List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States List of Catholic dioceses in the United States Loretto Chapel References External links Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe Official Site Archdiocese of Santa Fe Religious organizations established in 1850 Santa Fe 1850 establishments in New Mexico Territory Santa Fe Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019 Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2022