New Mexico Ghost Towns
Historic Churches
New Mexico is home to a rich collection of historic churches, reflecting its deep cultural and religious heritage. From the ancient adobe walls of the San Miguel Mission in Santa Fe, built in 1610 and considered the oldest church in the United States, to the iconic Santuario de Chimayó, a pilgrimage site known for its healing dirt, and the graceful Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, famous for its miraculous spiral staircase. These structures blend Spanish Colonial, Pueblo, and American influences. These churches, often adorned with traditional retablos and vigas, stand as testaments to the state’s diverse history, attracting visitors for their architectural beauty and spiritual significance
Ghost Town: Cerrillos, NM
Year Built: 1922
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Year abandoned: Still in service
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Directions: 25 miles southwest of Santa Fe. Cerrillos is located on the scenic Turquoise Trail 24 miles south of Santa Fe and 3 miles north of Madrid on NM 14.
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Remains: Full functional church
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About: This structure, St. Josephs Catholic Church - Iglesia de San Jose built in 1922 to replace the first church (1884), which was situated on land now occupied by the Pastor's residence.
Ghost Town: Colonias
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Year Built: 1700's
Year abandoned: Being restored.
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Directions:
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Remains: Massive church in the process of being restored. If able to help with any donations go to coloniasnm.com
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About: San Jose Catholic Church, located in Colonias, New Mexico, is a historic adobe structure that has served as the spiritual heart of this community for centuries. Established in the 1780s, Colonias is among the oldest settlements on New Mexico's eastern plains. The church itself was constructed in three phases:
Late 1700s: The original adobe building with a rock foundation was erected.​
1820s: An expansion added a second section to the structure.
Early 20th Century: Three towers were added, marking the church's most significant enlargement.
Ghost Town: Cuervo
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Year Built: The church was built in 1910 and commissioned in April 1915 by P. Martinez, Vic Segura, and Max Salas, who built the church.
Year abandoned: Still functional and occasionally holds services
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Directions:
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Remains: Full functional church
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About: Santo Niño de Atocha Catholic Church, located in Cuervo, New Mexico, is a historic structure dating back to 1915. Cuervo, established between 1901 and 1903 with the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad, experienced significant growth after 1910 when surrounding lands were opened to cattle ranching. The town's peak population of around 300 coincided with the establishment of Route 66 in 1926, which passed directly through Cuervo. Despite Cuervo's decline, with its population dwindling and many buildings falling into disrepair, the Santo Niño de Atocha Church remains a notable landmark. Constructed from red sandstone, the church features a carved stone above the entryway bearing the names of its commissioners and builder: P. Martinez, Vic Segura, and Max Salas. The church continues to hold occasional services, serving as a testament to the community's enduring spirit.
Ghost Town: Golden (Semi Ghost Town)
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Year Built: Established 1830, Restored in the 1960's
Year abandoned: Still in Service
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Directions: Golden is located along the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway and is about ten miles north of the Sandia Park junction on NM-14
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Remains: Well maintained fully functional church
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About: St. Francis De Asis (aka San Francisco Catholic Church) is one of the most photographed churches in northern New Mexico. The church was built in 1830 and restored in the '60s.
Ghost Town: White Oaks
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Year Built:
Year abandoned: Still in Service
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Remains: Well maintained fully functional church
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San Miguel Church
Ghost Town: Santa Fe (Historical Town)
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Year Built: 1610
Year abandoned: Still in Service
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Directions:
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Remains: Well maintained church
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About: Oldest church structure in the U.S.A The original adobe walls and altar were built by Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico under the direction of Franciscan Padres.
Ghost Town: Abo
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Year Built: 1623
Year abandoned:
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Manzano Church
Ghost Town: Manzano
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Year Built: Founded in 1824, built in 1829 Concecrated in 1835
Year abandoned:
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Ghost Town: Duran
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Year Built: Built in 1910
Year abandoned: Still in use today
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Remains: Fully intact
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Ghost Town: Kelly
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Year Built: Built by 1884
Year abandoned: Still in use today
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Remains: Fully intact
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Ghost Town: Juan Tomas
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Remains:
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About: PRIVATE PROPERTY
Ghost Town: Corrales (Historical Town)
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Year Built: 1868
Year abandoned: Still in use
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Directions:
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Remains: Fully intact church
About: This church was constructed in 1868 following a flood that demolished an earlier building. The land was donated by four Corrales families. Dedicated to San Ysidro, patron saint of farmers, it is a fine example of a small, mid 19th century New Mexico village church that has been remodeled over the years. Now used for community functions and cultural events, the building is maintained by the Corrales Historical Society.
Santuario De Chimayo
Ghost Town: Chimayo (Historic Town)
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Year Built: 1816
Year abandoned: Still a full functional church
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Directions: Can be accessed from NM 503, which exits Highway 84/285 a few miles north of Pojoaque. From NM 503 turn left on NM 520
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Remains: Fully intact functional church
About: National Historic Landmark receives almost 300,000 visitors per year and has been called the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States.
Ghost Town: Riley, aka Santa Rita
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Year Built: Unknown
Year abandoned: Still a full functional church
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Directions: Located 20 miles north of Magdelena on Cibola National Forrest Road 354
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Remains: Fully intact functional church
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Ghost Town: Albuquerque (Historical Town)
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Year Built: 1706
Year abandoned: Full functional church
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Directions:
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Remains: Fully intact functional church
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Ghost Town:
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Year Built:
Year abandoned: Full functional church
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Remains: Fully intact functional church
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Santa Maria de Acoma Church
Ghost Town: McCarty's
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Year Built: 1933
Year abandoned: Full functional church
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Directions:
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Remains: Fully intact functional church
About: The Santa Maria de Acoma Church was built and dedicated in 1933. The floor of the new church was to remain dirt. The church is styled like the Mission church at Acoma about 15 miles away, but somewhat smaller.
