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The oldest church in the continental United States lies in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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The oldest church in the continental United States lies in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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The oldest church in the continental United States is still functional today. 

Many sources consider San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico to be the oldest church in the country. 

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Since its original creation, around 1610, the church has been home to many events, including religious services, ceremonies, celebrations and more. 

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Interested in a tour of the property?

San Miguel Chapel is widely considered as the oldest Catholic Church in the United States.  (Universal Images Group via Getty Images; PHAS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Read on to learn more about this historic church.

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  1. What is San Miguel Chapel famous for?
  2. What happened to San Miguel Chapel?
  3. Is San Miguel Chapel still open today?

1. What is San Miguel Chapel famous for? 

The San Miguel Chapel is famous for being known as the oldest church in the United States. 

The church is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

It was constructed “under the direction of Franciscan friars to serve a small congregation of soldiers, laborers, and Indians who lived in the Barrio de Analco,” per the church’s website. 

San Miguel Chapel has gone through immense reconstruction since it was originally built.  (Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The first historical written record of the church dates back to 1628.

Yet many believe that the construction of the church dates back even further, according to the San Miguel Chapel website, with oral history putting the church’s creation around 1610, in tandem with the founding of Santa Fe. 

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The chapel was dedicated to Archangel Michael. 

A statue of him stands at the site of the church today, according to U.S. News & World Report. 

2. What happened to San Miguel Chapel? 

San Miguel Chapel has undergone reconstruction over the years. 

Documentation retained by the church, according to its website, shows that the chapel was heavily damaged, including the roof being burned during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, also known as Popé’s Rebellion. 

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Visitors can view the 780 pound San Jose Bell that used to be in the bell tower. 

In 1710, San Miguel Chapel was rebuilt. Further repairs funded by the mayor of Santa Fe were done in 1798, according to the church’s website. 

The community came together in 1887 for another rebuild when the church was in need of so many repairs, it was nearly demolished. 

While the rebuilding of San Miguel Chapel has changed the structure from what it was when it was originally built, the church is still full of history. 

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For example, parts of the original walls still remain intact. 

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Additionally, guests can view the 780 pound San Jose Bell that used to be in the bell tower. 

Sadly, the tower fell in a storm back in 1872 — but the bell is still on display inside the chapel.

3. Is San Miguel Chapel still open today? 

San Miguel Chapel is still open today. 

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San Miguel Chapel is full of history and unique architecture. The church is still open today.  (Buddy Mays/Getty Images)

In addition to the religious services that have been regularly held at the church for hundreds of years, it has also been used for a number of other events, such as concerts, celebrations and ceremonies.  

 

Visitors can go on a tour of the property, or attend one of the many events being held at the church. 

An events calendar can be found online to see if there is anything you can attend during your visit. 

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Los Angeles, Ca

Loved ones search for missing 34-year-old Southern California woman

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Loved ones search for missing 34-year-old Southern California woman

Loved ones are searching for a 34-year-old Southern California woman who has been missing for over a week.

Amy Lynn Edmonds, 34, was reported missing on June 28, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

Edmonds, who is considered at-risk, was last seen walking away from Coast Plaza Hospital in Norwalk.  

She is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket and was carrying a black backpack.

Amy Lynn Edmonds, 34, was last seen in Norwalk on June 28, 2026. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)

It’s unclear where she may have been heading when she disappeared. 

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Authorities said Edmonds has mental health and medical issues that require medication. Neither hospital staff nor loved ones have heard from her since and they are concerned for her well-being.

Anyone who may know Edmond’s whereabouts or has information on the case can call LASD’s Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500.

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Waymo video could determine charges after teens’ bizarre California ride

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Waymo video could determine charges after teens’ bizarre California ride

Police are still waiting for video from Waymo before deciding whether two teenagers accused of drinking alcohol and firing an Orbeez gun from inside one of the company’s self-driving vehicles could face additional charges, a San Mateo police spokesperson told KTLA.

The incident unfolded around 2:10 p.m. Monday when a Waymo representative contacted the San Mateo Police Department to report suspicious behavior inside one of the company’s autonomous vehicles.

“The Waymo rep who contacted us told us they saw what they described as a firearm in the vehicle, described it black in color, and at some point believed that the passengers were firing it outside of the vehicle,” Community Relations Officer Janine Luna said. “Even at one point saying they believed they saw a recoil.”

The representative also reported that the passengers appeared to be intoxicated and had an open bottle of alcohol inside the vehicle, Luna said.

Believing they were responding to reports of a firearm being fired from a moving vehicle, officers coordinated with Waymo to conduct what police described as a high-risk traffic stop.

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  • San Mateo police officers examine an Orbeez gun recovered after stopping a Waymo vehicle and detaining two teenagers during a high-risk traffic stop.
  • San Mateo police officers examine an Orbeez gun recovered after stopping a Waymo vehicle and detaining two teenagers during a high-risk traffic stop.

Luna said Waymo remotely disabled the vehicle in a location where officers could safely respond. The company then informed the passengers that the vehicle was experiencing mechanical problems while officers made their way to the scene.

Although the vehicle was disabled, its doors remained unlocked and the passengers could have exited if they wanted to, Luna said. Instead, they stayed inside until officers arrived, cleared the vehicle and detained the occupants.

Investigators later determined the suspected firearm was an Orbeez gun, a motorized toy that fires water-filled gel pellets.

While Orbeez guns are legal to possess, Luna said the one recovered by officers had been partially painted black, making it appear more like a real firearm.

“We’ve been seeing that a lot, where people are taking BB guns, water guns, toy guns, completely painting them over, and then in a lot of cases they actually do really look like real guns,” she said.

Police said no injuries or property damage have been reported, and no victims have come forward.

The two passengers, both 15 years old, were released to their parents and were not arrested, Luna said.

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Authorities have already forwarded the underage drinking allegation to the juvenile district attorney for review. However, investigators are still waiting to receive Waymo video before deciding whether to recommend any additional charges.

“We’re still waiting to receive that video to determine what, if anything, they’ll be charged with,” Luna said. “Obviously it’s a water gun or toy gun. It’s not illegal to carry, but depending on shooting from a moving vehicle, there’s some of that that can come into play.”

Luna said this was the first time the San Mateo Police Department had handled an incident in which Waymo contacted officers in real time to report suspicious activity inside one of its vehicles.

The incident comes just weeks after another high-profile Waymo incident in Southern California. In late June, several teens were seen hanging out of the windows of a self-driving Waymo as it traveled through Santa Monica traffic. Waymo later told KTLA those riders’ accounts had been suspended for violating the company’s user agreement.

Luna also urged parents to keep an eye on their children during summer break and reminded the public not to alter the appearance of toy guns to make them resemble real firearms.

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“We want to give our kids freedom to have fun and enjoy their time off from school,” Luna said. “But because they’re not in school, just keep an eye on them. Make sure you know where they’re at. Make sure you know who they’re hanging out with.”

Iman Palm and Aaron Tolentino contributed to this report.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Bicyclist killed by hit-and-run driver in Long Beach

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Bicyclist killed by hit-and-run driver in Long Beach

An investigation is underway after a bicyclist was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Long Beach.

On July 6, Long Beach police responded to a crash near Cowles Street and Santa Fe Avenue just after 2:30 a.m.

Officers found the victim, a man in his 50s, lying unresponsive on the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver who struck him fled the area before officers arrived. 

A bicyclist in his 50s was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Long Beach on July 6, 2026. (Google Maps)

A preliminary investigation indicated the bicyclist was riding westbound on Cowles Street when he was struck by an unknown vehicle that turned onto Cowles from Santa Fe Avenue.

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The victim’s name is being withheld pending positive identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

No further details, including a suspect or vehicle description, were released.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is urged to call the Long Beach Police Department’s Collision Investigation Detail at 562-570-7355. 

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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