About

San Miguel Chapel stands as the beautiful and well-preserved structure it is today largely due to the efforts and determination of Dave Blackman, who served as the Chapel Director from 2003 to 2022. 

 

In 2003, as a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Michael’s High School (SHMS), Dave agreed to assume responsibility on behalf of the Board for San Miguel Chapel (which is owned by SMHS).  He initiated a partnership with Cornerstones Community Partnerships (CCP) to maintain, restore, and repair the Chapel. 

 

A Memorandum of Agreement between SMHS and CCP was signed in 2003 and renewed in 2024. Work made possible with a grant from the Getty Foundation in 2009 revealed that the 1955 exterior cement stucco covering the Chapel was holding in moisture and causing extensive erosion of the interior adobe bricks.  A preservation plan was developed, and restoration work began in 2010.  

 

Dave strongly advocated to the Board of Trustees that the Chapel be restored to a purely adobe building, which allowed SMHS to partner with Cornerstones on the project.  CCP obtained a National Parks Service Save America’s Treasures matching grant to fund 50% of the work.  The remaining 50% was funded equally by SMHS and by CCP, through their own generous fundraising efforts.  The funds from SMHS were generated entirely by San Miguel Chapel through donations, Masses conducted at the Chapel, and “in-kind” contributions of time and resources from members of the community.   

 

Dave served as consultant and “contractor” for this immense multi-year repair project, providing progress reports and communications between Cornerstones and the Board.  The project also included:

    -    Development of a Multi-year Preservation Plan that included project information, preliminary cost estimates, and a construction schedule proposal.

    -    Repair of a failed drainage system which had caused further water retention in the walls.

    -    Restoration and repair of Vigas (log beams) in the roof.

    -    Identification of works of art inside that needed conservation.

    -    Installation of a new roof for the Chapel annex.

 

As Director, Dave spearheaded other initiatives at San Miguel Chapel, including:

    -     Working with CCP to arrange annual adobe maintenance work, involving training opportunities for students, preservationists, and interested community members.

    -    Expanding and managing the team of volunteer docents at the Chapel.

    -    Working with musicians from the Santa Fe Opera orchestra to develop an annual Chamber Music Concert series at the Chapel.  

    -    Instituting a San Miguel Scholarship Program for SMHS students, funded by contributions to the Chapel.

    -    Working with CCP and Positive Energy Solar, on a proposal to install solar panels on the roof of the Chapel. The chapel has been running on solar power since August 2023.

 

David K. Blackman was a passionate advocate for San Miguel Chapel and was dedicated to its preservation and sustainability throughout his years as Director. May he inspire us all to leave such a lasting and meaningful legacy!