Who built the spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel Museum in Santa Fe, NM, St. Joseph or Frenchy?

Was it Saint Joseph, Frenchy, or both? Get the facts. Decide for yourself.
Also, check out these related videos, links, and Josephology FB Group below:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loretto...
Francois Jean Rochas ("Frenchy")
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3...
It appears Rochas was of the Practical School of Stereotomy and the Duty of Freedom Guild, which was a Catholic expert carpenter guild started by Pierre Francois Guillon and they celebrated St. Joseph's Day each year as they presented their master-apprentice projects. You'll note the two spiral staircases and the image of St. Joseph and Jesus in the Carpenter's Shop at 18:48 mark of this must-see video: • Stereotomy: The Alchem...
Fr. Edward Looney's take on it:
• Fr. Edward Looney Visi...
The Story of Francois Jean Rochas: 'Frenchy' of Dog Canyon:
• The Story of Francois ...
American Catholic History: • Loretto Staircase - Am...
Miraculous Staircase by Catholic Revelator:
• Miraculous Staircase
The Loretto Chapel Documentary:
• The Loretto Chapel Doc...
The Staircase movie: • Video
A short, balanced view: • The Miraculous Stairca...
From the museum's curator Richard Lindsley: • The Legend of Loretto
For more information about Josephology (the Theological Science of St. Joseph), consider joining our Facebook Group at: / 1327581171022958

[@dianalovato6106]

My dad was a carpenter he would drive to santa fe every year and walk around and study the staircase come back home sit at the table drink coffee and laugh and say i still dont see how it was made. He would just sit there and think about it and we would smile at each other

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

Your dad was a carpenter but not a stair builder. This is a branch of carpentry but a specialty.

[@danhodgson1590]

That's awesome man😂❤

[@allanramusiewicz996]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 YOU’RE a “Specialty”….

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@allanramusiewicz996 I'm am... Not only was I a custom staircase builder, but I specialized in 19th Century, geometric stair building techniques and practices. I made it my career, my business and a lifelong passion. I also spent a number of years teaching other stair builders through guest lectures and seminars (for which I was paid.) As part of my research, I actually visited the Loretto Chapel stair, as well as other historic buildings and staircases During my career, i have personally constructed similar staircases, including furnishing and installing the entire balustrade. I've also spent years furnishing other stair building companies, with custom fabricated, period handrail and architectural components, required in restoration and replication of period staircase joinery. My parts have been shipped all over the country and some to the British Isles. I have a collection of 19th Century stair building manuals, including one that actually contains detailed plans and specifications for building such a stair and balustrade. I actually know what I'm talking about, do you ? BTW, I'm retired now but I continue to correspond with professional stair builders. Did I mention that I'm also a professional rough and finish, journeyman carpenter, as well as a post and spindle, hand wood turner (19th Century job title.) I've also written articles for trade publications.

[@tomjay5471]

Thank you, very informative , always under the impression that this would be the work of a Master Carpenter, now I know. :)

[@mikefruge8589]

Well done! Great research! My wife and I visited this chapel in 1982 while we were on our honeymoon. As I recall, we spoke with a nun at the time. According to her, and as I remember, she said no one involved in the construction knew how to build a spiral staircase. Their prayers were answered when a man mysteriously arrived and offered to build the stairway. He built the stairway and left as mysteriously as he arrived with no one knowing his name.

[@photorailfan]

This brings memories. I went there in 1990 and was told that this was built without a single nail.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

This means next-to-nothing since nails, glue and the like, are always concealed in fine stair building. Besides wooden pegs were often substituted for nails, since nails are the number-one cause of stairway squeaks. Hot-hide glue and sophisticated joinery, were the main means of fastening wood in the 19th Century.

[@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE]

​@@jamesbaldwin7676ive been trying to figure put what is so impressive. It simply looks like they bent the 2 main spirals using hot water, fixed them to the top and bottom. Then attached the steps. Nothing ive seen or been told seems out of place. Joinery was done without nails by the masters allways looks better. Seems like an average woooden staircase for the times.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE The "two main spirals" or stringers, are probably just a facia of thin bendable boards, backed by glued vertical sticks (staves.) These are typically prepared on a cylindrical bending form. The concealed structural components, are most likely stacked timber-steppings (called grounds) with one edge sawn to match the floor-plan radi of the double-helix. The bottom is then cut to the slope of the spiral. These are typically bound together with glue and pegs. This is not the way things are done today, but a common method of the 19th Century and a method that only requires a single stair builder or carpenter. Fastenings (nails.screws, whatever) are always concealed in finish staircase work.

[@simonclay3854]

The nail was from the unknown male who arrived by donkey that male was Jesus he used was of the nails from his crucifiction

[@ToTheeOBlessedJoseph]

Research says it was Frenchie. However, this was an answer to the Sisters' novena to St. Joseph. St. Joseph sent the carpenter to cross paths with the Sisters to help them. Deo Gratias. Sancte Ioseph ora pro nobis!

[@josephology3290]

Well said! 👍🙏💚

[@francisty139]

Looks like a DNA helix.

[@Rocketman88002]

Regardless, the stairway is a must always see when in Santa Fe. I have inspected it very closely and it is a work of art and skillful engineering.

[@paultaylor7872]

love the triple 7 in your name

[@spiritfilled2589]

Well in any case, God knows who built it, and that’s all that matters. And the sisters got their access to the choir loft. Nicely presented video and info. Some people in comments need to be more gracious… Thank you kindly for researching and presenting in a very unbiased way!👏🏻👏🏻🙏🙏 Blessings

[@josephology3290]

Thank you very much

[@fitting7u]

Excellent analysis. Thank you 👍

[@josephology3290]

Thank you!

[@mikefrazier6213]

I went there several years ago and the stairs are remarkable

[@jeans.5252]

Good work on this post! Loved it!

[@josephology3290]

Thank You

[@zrebbesh]

That's a gorgeous tensegrity design. The inner spiral-curved board would collapse if not attached to but held apart from the outer by the stairsteps, and the outer would collapse if not attached to but held apart from the inner by the stairsteps. The stairsteps in compression and the support boards on both sides in tension. Bucky Fuller would be proud.

[@josephology3290]

Did Bucky do any similar spiral staircases? I only see that this great inventor (aka Trim Tab) invented the word "tensegrity" (among others) and many patents and awards such as the geodesic dome.

[@tommunyon2874]

I visited Santa Fe often throughout my childhood. I recall viewing the staircase at least three times.

[@allanramusiewicz996]

3 is the Number of The Holy Trinity ♥️♥️♥️🙏

[@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE]

​@@allanramusiewicz996mate, the definition of trinity is 3 people. 3 things. Why is that so amazing to you? Its like saying "you said triple! That means 3 and 3 is the holy trinity!" 😂🤡

[@rainiaananda9327]

I was one of the choir girls who stood on the incredible spiral staircase and sang while ascending to the choir loft above during Christmas, Easter, and the like. Although they were closed to general public to ascend in the 1960s, there was a short time where they were used for special Holy days. It was an exquisite honor that was taken away shortly after, for the cause of preservation, because DUH!!. That aside, there are several thoughts of the actual lore of the "miracle" stairs. We were taught as young kids that it was built by a "myserious carpenter" who came to town with rare woods and set to bestow us with the "miracle" that is the free standing staircase. This lore stayed and was was inbedded with us forever that the mysterious carpenter was Jesus. It wasn't until Santa Fe became a bit more well known to the mass public that this story was reprised. The lore that I am most intrigued by, and most aligned with, is that there was a very small French contingent of "settlers" (who moved on) that came with their trade as carpenters with exotic lumberr from Europe. Frenchy was the lone person who settled, and was a spectacular tradesman. He also wonderfully gave us a beautiful field of sunflowers that we revere to this day. Though sunflowers are a native plant, the main theory is that Frenchy's "home" was in Frenchy's Field, and became a glorious concentration of wild sunflowers that I vaguely remember a small, VERY small ruin adobe home.The early stories are that the French carpenter settlers (who actually mostly landed and moved on just shy of a generation) brought with them a spectacular assortment of European woods. Now, although we were given the story about a mysterrious carpenter (Ahhh Could It Be?!?), once we had to account for our fables to a world wide public, it was obvious tthat Frenchy had given us the gift of the "Miraculous Starcase". '

[@rainiaananda9327]

Another spectacular story that even the locals don't know... St. Francis cathedral right across the street on the backside of La Fonda has two beautiful turrets, one of which is just shy of completion. The original negotiators of the construction of the cathedral's loans, contracts, and such and such, had been granted the entire funds to complete the new catholic church, to be paid in full after completion of the project. Well, that turrett stands unfinshed to this day, so that they do not have to pony up on their debt to Santa Fe. Churches still swindling 150 years + and going...

[@upul123able]

Always tell the truth and don't make up fiction.

[@paultaylor7872]

I also believed it was Jesus

[@fredbush3404]

I also got a chance to see this after reading the story behind it in 1979, during a great road trip with a friend.

[@poetmaggie1]

I always thought the miracle was the fact that someone came to help them, without the spiral staircase inside they would have had to build a stair outside because there was no room inside for a regular stair. The name Joseph, my french canadian Great Grand Father named all his children with Joseph and it was something the French Canadians were doing for several generations.

[@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE]

There was enough room 😂. Just make a double staircase. In the same place as the spiral one is.

[@samanthat.2633]

Insightful video! Perhaps it was Frenchy. I take it as a miracle because after Novena, the carpenter made the staircase that fit their needs despite previous consultations that it couldn’t be done in that chapel. He made the impossible possible.

[@johnlopez6634]

Great research and video this is the video I was looking for.

[@josephology3290]

Thank you very much John for those kind words. Had some free time during quarantine so I wanted to research this and answer some questions. What was your takeaway or what is your opinion on the matter? Also, if you liked this video please subscribe and you might also like to join our Josephology Facebook group. Cheers.

[@theresaeng1944]

Yes, pray without ceasing.

[@jacobgates1986]

Wow I live just 20miles away in lush valleys of Northern New Mexico on my Tribe and I leaned more by watchn this vid , then I did all the times visiting the chapel but just a great insight and a look into the actual workers that I didn't know they was more than 2 workers .

[@josephology3290]

Thank you

[@kennethbaca7610]

I was born and raised N.M when I was a little boy my parents took me to the chapel, my father told me that saint Joseph Jesus worldly Father he was a carpenter. The Sisters prayed for someone to finish the staircase. I like to believe that divine intervention built them.

[@josephology3290]

can you be more specific please?

[@albertomercado5949]

I made a trip to New Mexico in the 1983 what a beautiful staircase . The craftmanship is out of this world. Really amazing! who ever built it! Its a shame that the Church got rid of it. You would think they could do something with it. Its beautiful.

[@phil_matic]

Wait. The stairs are gone?

[@alakdanhilario315]

The Church people sold the CHURCH, hook line and sinker, to to speak , including the mysterious staircase🙏‼️

[@sandraelder1101]

I highly recommend Willa Cather’s beautiful novel, Death Comes for the Archbishop, a fictional account of Bishop Lamy’s early ministry as the first bishop of New Mexico. Cather was not a Catholic, but she’d been quite moved by Lamy’s story while on a trip to Santa Fe and decided to research and write a novel about him and Fr. Joseph Machebeuf.

[@amam904]

Be aware there is nothing about the staircase in that book although it really is a well written book

[@sandraelder1101]

@@amam904 Yes. It just dramatizes their early days in the west.

[@Rocketman88002]

@Sandra Elder, Willa lived in Red Cloud, NE (outer Kansas, lol) a town south of Hastings, NE where I now live. I'll have to read Death Comes for the Archbishop. I stayed at a Baptist Convention retreat near Lamy, NM years ago. Lots of history in the area and the mountains are so beautiful. I love Santa Fe. Thanks for your comment!

[@jjcm3135]

Read it recently. A powerful and beautiful novel.

[@arthurchenoweth7897]

"Fine Woodworking" magazine had a very good article about it some decades ago. It is probably available online.

[@josephology3290]

You're right, found it: www.finewoodworking.com/tag/miraculous-staircase But you have to subscribe to read the article in its entirety.

[@pierapaola3322]

Good advice Ora et labora 🙏 & ⚒️ Bottom line: their novena was answered right after it was completed; a 👉🏽 master woodworker 👈🏽 with just the perfect skill (sisters had been told it was not possible to build a staircase in such a confined space) showed up at a then remote area (so remote people died in route to it). At are the odds? Just one of those "coincidences" the Almighty has given us for 6 thousand years 🕊️

[@josephology3290]

Amen! Prayer answered! Whether it was St Joseph working through Frenchy, or St Joseph doing it solo, it was answered prayers for sure! I currently side with the Diocese of Santa Fe and the Sisters of Loretto. It seems from the evidence that St Joseph sent Frenchy the expert carpenter, trained in spiral staircases, to do the job. The perfect carpenter of Nazareth knew that Frenchy would be the perfect man for the job! So, St Joseph put in a word with his son Jesus our Lord! Amen! But, if someday the Bishop of Santa Fe were to declare this marvellous staircase to be a 2nd class relic of St Joseph and say that St Joseph physically built this staircase over a 3-6 month period, I’ll be the first to shout it from the rooftops! Till then, I stand with the Bishops of Santa Fe and the Sisters on this one. I’m sure St Joseph would like his spiritual son Frenchy to get some due credit, too. Alas, the true miracle we can all agree on is that of the altar, where daily for countless years countless daily miracles occurred when the mere bread and wine where changed into Jesus’ body and blood at Mass for the salvation and sanctification of countless souls for almost 100 years until the chapel was closed and turned into a museum and spa. Too bad it’s no longer a church. But the Lord works in mysterious ways: I’m sure He is still reaching hearts who come to the museum to see the “mysterious staircase” as some it may very well be their 1st time in a place that use to be a church. And they can find God. As long as Christ is preached then good will come of it as the NT says. And with a twinkle in the eyes of Jesus, St Joseph, and Frenchy, I imagine they get a bit of a Heavenly chuckle when we here below try to figure out how it precisely happened. Praise God! All things work for the good for those who love Him. ❤️😊🙏👍

[@ourpatrondotnet]

Been there, touched that. Thanks be to God.

[@josephology3290]

Do you feel like you touched a 2nd class relic?

[@ourpatrondotnet]

@@josephology3290 No, as it was not Saint Joseph who did the work, but probably a devotee of our great patron.

[@effiewarner1108]

We were there yesterday it's Beautiful

[@Wavz76]

All this makes sense- and yet still, an answer to the Sister’s prayers. God uses people when they are willing vessels to bring help and healing to others. Still a wonderful story and a beautiful staircase. 💕

[@MrTagahuron]

It is amazing that you would rely on Wikipedia and Google for your research. For one thing, since this is such a wonder, Frenchy would have been in the front page of the Sta Fe Tribune at that time and the NYT would have picked it up. The sisters would have announced it and that would have been the story from the beginning. And by the way, it was not that fast to deliver lumber in those days. Ordering and delivery of wood could take months! Unless Frenchy had a stock of lumber in a nearby warehouse and he knew exactly the sizes of lumber that he needs! And one person to do the job without help? Did he levitate or something?

[@josephology3290]

Thank you for your comment. So you mean you think the Santa Fe Diocese and the Sisters of Loretto are wrong on this?

[@_DB.COOPER]

Did you build it? Where would you gather information on this staircase? I’ll wait…

[@alakdanhilario315]

@MrTagahuron - My deep thoughts on the matter❤️‼️ At the outset, the carpenter who installed and constructed the Staircase was “Frenchy”, with the novena intercession of the nuns AND with the direction of St. Joseph🙏‼️Archbishop Lamy was the person who initiated the construction of the Church and school of Santa Fe(Holy Faith). By his overt actions while he was in Paris, France, he placed the order of the unassembled wood staircase PAID it and shipped out and transported them by train to Sta. FE , New Mexica, USA. The French engineers, architects, designers, wood work staircase experts and the French, collectively accomplished the mission. Actually these experts were the same workers who constructed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. They were same French experts who constructed and installed the STEEL STRUCTURES of the SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH located in MANILA, PHILIPPINES🇵🇭. Likewise, they transported the STEEL STRUCTURES from FRANCE. The said CHURCH is being used by the FILIPINO worshippers, Catholic believers, and visited by foreign and local TOURISTS‼️ The designs of both CHURCHES are similar! Query: If these French experts were able to transport the unassembled steel CHURCH in the PHILIPPINES 🇵🇭, easily, they were able to transport the wooden staircase to Santa FE, New Mexico✅‼️ “Frenchy” installed said staircase and left “unpaid” (prepaid in France by Archbishop Lamy) according to the nuns and he left without notice(origin of the term: “FRENCH LEAVE”‼️Saint JOSEPH was the “FOREMAN”🙏‼️❤️From the PHILIPPINES 🇵🇭WITH LOVE❤️✅👋🏿Our Catholic Faith with Saint Joseph is definitely intact, the GREAT CARPENTER and Mentor of the CHILD JESUS🙏❤️✅‼️

[@God-Love]

MY OPINION IS SAINT JOSEPH!

[@josephology3290]

What do you think about what Ad Te Beate Ioseph said?

[@fatherburke9011]

I believe it was Saint Joseph he has answered many of my prayers

[@johnwilliams640]

I agree

[@_DB.COOPER]

Frenchy built it and built the rock house and rock fence in Dog Canyon south of Alamogordo, NM.

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@Acejustforalaugh it’s not narrowing it down, facts don’t care about your feelings.

[@lynpinto]

My daughter got married in that church in 1983

[@franklubbock8400]

My family visited it in the summer of 83.

[@josephology3290]

Congratulations! Beautiful place! (assuming she's not Catholic?)

[@christophermanda8009]

Sad that ,that chapel is closed !

[@amam904]

The chapel is not closed. You can still visit it as a museum. And it is no longer a Catholic church. It has been deconsecrated because the sisters of Loretto have moved on

[@lindaneff2558]

Yes, so sad--however, blessed are those who do not see yet believe [the story.]

[@paultaylor7872]

craftsmen sometimes use swamped logs that have been in swamps or boggy ground that may give the timber a unique signature, just a thought

[@_DB.COOPER]

Northern New Mexico is full of Blue Spruce.

[@gilltim5711]

Well researched. Regardless of who it was, he abruptly appeared after the Novena was completed, and he left without receiving payment. And....he did solve their staircase issue.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

What is it called when a contractor abruptly disappears from an unfinished and 'dangerous job? A MIRACLE!

[@gilltim5711]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 What is it called when a contractor works on a project for six months, completes it, then doesn't bill the customer? A MIRACLE!

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@gilltim5711 He left without being paid because the job was incomplete and even extremely hazardous. This is called "abandonment." He should have been sued. This was no miracle, just the truth of the matter.

[@gilltim5711]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 No, the job was completed. There is no claim by any of the sisters that the job was not finished. And the staircase still stands to this day. That a railing was added later is a different matter. Certainly if he could build the staircase he could have easily added railing if they asked for it.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@gilltim5711 Not necessarily, the railing is technically much more difficult and the hard part of this job. The stair without a railing is rendered completely unusable.

[@Marcio100s]

Well, not so much. Let's look at an engineering point of view: a) the ladder is not balanced, in fact; b) If the ladder was built and it remains to stand, then it is possible to build it and rebuild it. c) The spiral stairs are generally self-supported, that is, they are supported by themselves. In this case, they need a central axis vertically. d) St. Joseph's staircase is not self-employed, a spiral, or a spring segment that needs support and support at both ends, otherwise, it would close with one's own weight or with a person's loading over it. This ladder is sustained at the top and base, like a spring. e) can be built on site, with provisional support; from top to bottom, or even on the floor. In any case, the supports can only be removed after the ends are fixed. Of course with a load of a person, the stairs, or the spring, it closes slightly, not static. If the wood is not from planet Earth, it is a mystery. But the laws of physics are the same, anywhere in the universe.

[@SmokeFlame1]

There is also Nazareth in Pennsylvania where they manufacture Martin guitars and have since the early 1830's. One of the woods used in these guitars is Engleman Spruce.

[@josephology3290]

Cool coincidence

[@bigal25938]

Other photos show a handrail. Is there one?

[@Carlos-qe4ny]

It's incredible how the most mundane things can take your breath away😮

[@zion9856]

That is so beautifully narentainted by this gentalman I am pleased to have watch this Documentary on this staircase Researching into the truth is the best way in finding out something you wont to know , this proves with todays information in this world we have access to a world of knowledge. Thank you for a great show . I belive its both / lol

[@josephology3290]

Thank you

[@greenhometony]

The only people who lived there were the Spaniards and Mexicans, lol. Pueblo people??? Hey not being rude but I have been in NM enough to know that there is tension between the people's of NM and they don't particularly like one another. No sense in insulting anyone. It's a long and somewhat difficult story about how all of it happened. By the way I love this story and have the info from the museum which includes the paper titled, Miracle or a Wonder of Wood Construction, by Carl B. Albach. He describes himself as a consulting electrical engineer. Oh those engineers, lol. The other paper is the Staircase Wood Analysis, by Forest N. Easley a forest wood technologist. Thank you for making a YT video about it.

[@josephology3290]

Sorry, you're right, I was just thinking of the Catholic people there. I assumed the Pueblo were not Catholic generally speaking. But maybe I'm wrong on that (hopefully). Any historical insights from yourself are welcomed. Thanks

[@dariomiranda8020]

Thank you for making this video. I would love to see the builder getting more credit for this amazing piece of work. There seems to be ample evidence that Rochas build this staircase and I think it's a disservice to the human spirit and ability to create beautiful things to give all the credit to a saint or higher power. If you want to believe that a higher power was working through the carpenter, that's fine. But even so, that carpenter devoted their life to their craft and someone with this level of mastery deserves to be recognized for their work. I'll be visiting the Loretto Chapel later this year and I was hoping to find videos of woodworkers talking about the craftsmanship of the staircase and maybe some history of the woodworker, himself. Your video and the video the students made is all I've been able to find, so far. The narrative that this is a literal "miracle" seems to have all but silenced any real examinations of this staircase. I'm sure they are out there, but they sure are hard to find amongst the dozens of "strange mysteries" and "the Staircase that Jesus built" videos. Again, I don't want to discount anyone's faith. But, imagine spending your whole life perfecting your craft and building something that is a true wonder only to be shot by some politician who then cultivates a campaign to take all the credit away from your life's work, just because he wanted the water on your property.

[@johnjason7204]

I saw it over 30 years ago and as the story Nuns prayed for help on 9th day a man and mule showed up. Working alone without a witness he finished and left. No nails, no glue, and wood found in Alaska..

[@stevenlovell3300]

In my late 30s early 40s for probably five years straight, all I did was build hardwood staircases; I don’t know who came up with this crazy idea that this thing is a miracle because it is not a miracle. Because most people don’t understand how to build things they don’t understand what holds this thing up. To build a hardwood curve on a rake is generally laminated in fact you could build the entire base for the stair with laminations, then you cut your triangular shaped blocks for the treads and risers and fasten them to the base and cover everything with the finished wood. Even the handrail and the balusters once they’re complete add to the structural integrity of the staircase. I sort of got ahead of myself here the first thing you Gotta do is build a round form to fasten the stringers to until the laminations are complete and then you tear your form out.

[@Imuckinggay]

My Dad was a carpenter and he told be Jesus built it on a vacation to earth.

[@StonemanRocks]

Lmao!

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

This is the work of a trained stair builder, not just a house carpenter. This was (and is) a specialty trade.

[@StonemanRocks]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 maybe it was santa claus! He was a trained stair builder i think!

[@StonemanRocks]

Was he a jewish carpentah?

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@StonemanRocks He was French. Francois-Jean Rochas

[@davidhowick3665]

As a stair maker myself I can attest to several miracles on this subject..Firstly it’s a miricale that someone gifted was in the area….the novena energy attracted the right person. Secondly the miracle of paying such a small amount for the finished staircase thirdly the miricale of the master craftsman contributing specialised skill given to him by god for a higher person. The motto of the French campionon I believe is “ working with your hands teaches you the value of things of this earth”…a motto I believe quantifies true values. A miricale the correct timber was found for the purpose…the living tree. The design is found in nature…self supporting structure There are many object created that we never know who build them or how…most tradesmen would remove thier tools from site once a job is completed, so to the uninitiated it is a mystery how it is done..hence the saying trade secret. I know how this staircase was built…by the knowledge and skills passed down from generations though the trade of working with your hands… the time estimate of 3 months would easily have been achievable with a few basic tools and good quality materials. Regards David NZ To generation

[@josephology3290]

Thank you. Good comments. Have you been to St Joseph’s Cathedral there in Auckland, NZ? It’s quite nice!

[@davidhowick3665]

@@josephology3290 yes, many times when I was younger, they’ve recently don substantial renovation and repairs on it…generally known as St Patricks

[@josephology3290]

@@davidhowick3665 yes, that’s the one, been there for Mass a few times over the years, lovely church. If I recall, I like the big baptismal font at the front, the eastern icon of the Holy Family, and the glass window doors you can enter from the side street - and of course the statues of Sts Joseph and Patrick. But they just need to fix their name to “Cathedral of Saint JOSEPH and Saint Patrick”! Tell the Bishop I said so 😉 (in honour of the Year of Joseph and the fact that St Joseph comes well before St Patrick, even if you’re Irish! ☘️ 😉)

[@davidhowick3665]

@@josephology3290 I’m Irish as well

[@clinttorres2508]

I'm also a former architectural staircase builder, built n installed about 10 when I was in my early 20s almost 40 yrs ago..staircase is very well possible to be to fabricated without the railing system especially since the balusters were obviously turned, also without enclosing the bottom of the stairs..3 months would be sufficient for a master craftsman

[@StringFreakFilms]

Just 1 of those California redwood trees carved down into that thise trees were huge

[@elizabethhicks5794]

There was a movie made several years ago. I think actor William Peterson who play the priest who build it.

[@josephology3290]

Do you mean the one I mention and who at @23:36 ?

[@vperera2456]

Just look at the majugore,miracle of Our Lady’s apparition , it is being happening for over 40 years.. Anything is possible with God.

[@josephology3290]

Undecided. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_response_to_the_Medjugorje_apparitions

[@g2D1]

Something not observed on this research, there is no account from the Nuns knowing the Tekton's name. Being that this is a structure that normally is cast in iron and even if you factor out a holy miracle of construction, such a feat would of been been recorded and a builder proudly taking credit for it. Something else not mentioned in your research is the assembly, do the other builders also accomplish the constructions without glue and nails? If the Frenchy did it why hide his identity?

[@bruceradford8284]

🙏🏻

[@FirstLast-zk5ow]

How was the staircase installed??

[@AB..__..]

It was built in place.

[@paulajones114]

They found in a garage. A tool box year's ago 80's maybe. In the tool box was a blue print for this staircase. What happened WITHthat??

[@josephology3290]

Where? Who? Any specifics?

[@jarmstrong2843]

I would venture to say the carpenter's name might be located somewhere inside the structure of the stairs. However, taking it apart would truly be a sin to find out how it is constructed and the joinery used.

[@josephology3290]

Fabulous thought, thanks for sharing. Never thought of that. Artists usually sign their work. Interesting point indeed. Is it common for stair makers to leave their name inside the stairs? As both Frenchy and St Joseph are humble men who are happy to stay out of the limelight and in the shadows and let their actions speak louder than their words, it could also be that their humility would not allow them to engrave their name on their work. But maybe. At the Resurrection Jesus left the handkerchief folded in a specific carpenter’s manner as a sign that the job was done and He will return later for payment. Read that somewhere. About the folded cloth in the tomb. A small detail often missed. Thank you for this detail. Hope to have a stair builder on the show and ask him this among other questions.

[@KurtisHord]

Compagnons are “companions of duty” we are not allowed to sign our work. It’s performed to honor god and the truths revealed thru the art of the line.

[@nathanwilliams9765]

I built a staircase similar Georgia staircase cable tension swivel on swivel freestanding staircase only difference from this one and mine is that the center spiral on mine was Hollow polygon with 9,000 PSI steel cables

[@josephology3290]

Wow! Would love to see it!

[@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE]

Ever visited european old budings? Ive seen many staircases like this.

[@HeroeRecords]

I think you cracked the code… we all know better than believing angels built it. Thank you 💯🫡

[@josephology3290]

Grandpa Joe or Virgin Joseph? You decide! See this in-depth discussion by an apologist and an author: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4KuppaApt1qgZo

[@lindac6416]

Can someone build a spiral ramp ?

[@amam904]

I hate to be picky but it is not Laredo it is Loreto… Lo. Rett. O

[@josephology3290]

Thank you for that correction. If I misspoke, my apologies 🙏

[@_DB.COOPER]

Frenchy built it, he built the rock house and rock fence in Dog Canyon south of Alamogordo, NM also.

[@josephology3290]

We agree; it seems that Frenchy the Catholic built it. And this fact was thanks to the prayers of the Sisters and the intercession of St. Joseph.

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@josephology3290 when you add up all the circumstantial evidence it makes for an extremely strong Frechy case. I think people want to believe St. Joseph built it because of his connection to the church and his stature.

[@josephology3290]

@@_DB.COOPER you might be right. I think it's both: St. Joseph interceded and Frenchy built. I have a hopeful hunch that Frenchy has since built some superior cases up above.

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@josephology3290 it can’t be both if you’re talking about who BUILT it.

[@josephology3290]

@@_DB.COOPER both: St Joseph interceded and Frenchy built it.

[@EMPERORSPROTECTION-TERRA4LIFE]

If you bend the 2 main spirals with boiling water you can easily make the suplorts we see. Fix them to the top and bottom and you have a sturdy rail to attach your steps. Seems pretty easy. They didnt used to use nails. It was all wood fittings etc. This is just sombody highly skilled at making staircases utilising his skills. Theres nothing i jave seen that seem impossible to do. Maybe if you only use nails then it may seem crazy. Look at most old buildings this is how wodwork was done. Still do it in japan on big scales. Look at a japanese house. They fit to gether with wooden dowls and stuff. Amazing

[@indianikit741]

Seems pretty easy, then make one.

[@sawboneiomc8809]

I remember seeing this when I was like 7...I’m now 52

[@josephology3290]

QUESTION: is this staircase a 2nd class relic? (please answer below YES or NO and add why you think in the comments of this new thread)

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

The stair is neither a relic or a miracle, just a 19th Century spiral stair with the unusual feature of rising 20'. The "no nails" story means nothing, since nails are always concealed in fine staircase construction. Nails are secondary anyway to glue. The fact that the carpenter "miraculously vanished" was due to the fact that the job wasn't finished without a useable handrail. I've seen the stair and I'm a professional stair builder. It is remarkable however and definitely an answer to prayer but nothing that couldn't be done today. Unfortunately it's no longer a legal stair.

[@JL-cn6nh]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 Build one

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@JL-cn6nh I've built quite a few free-standing, wood staircases during my career although I've never done one that makes two complete revolutions, since such stairs are illegal. I do the hand railing too and I do it the way it was done in the 1800's (which is quite different than how its being done today.) I'm retired now but plan to built a scale model someday of the Santa Fe stair (which is how the French Compagnons learned to do such things.) Some of their apprenticeship models are now in museums. BTW, building the handrail for this stair was the hard part.

[@JL-cn6nh]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 That's cool I'll take your word for it. Heck I would love to have learned it in my younger day. You should teach the craft if you're not doing so.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@JL-cn6nh I spent a decade teaching other stair builders and some still call me.

[@sandraelder1101]

15:24 What is that horrifying picture on that book cover?! Pretty disturbing. 😬

[@josephology3290]

“Mysterious New Mexico” is the book (yeah, very strange cover indeed!) and no idea what the cover image is all about? Maybe someone else can help and post below…

[@coeneschamaun1735]

Maybe La Llorona?

[@RagtimeAnnie]

I must agree - It was a jarring image to be placed in an otherwise edifying piece.

[@celiapaulino7358]

It’s God’s hands that the Loreto staircase was constructed. GOD allowed St. Joseph to work on it. Thanks be to God. With God nothing is impossible. 🙏💒

[@robertlambert4514]

Francis Rochas built the staircase.

[@frankhernandez6883]

*Faith & Reason are like Water and Oil. The two will NEVER meet. We're talking Apples and Oranges*

[@sammyschannel1436]

Who finished the rails? Frenchy made it without?

[@josephology3290]

Answer is said and shown in the video

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

Curly center post that carries most of the weight with perimeter 2nd curly for structure and all the radials glued [and pegged?] into one tight cohesive mass ... amazing piece of art. It's no wonder the sisters had to crawl up it ... the curves are small and terrifying. Wife and I saw it back around 1970-80s. I vote for St. Joseph as creator. Likely no one else would have known about the novena, let alone disappear without payment afterwards. No mention of what the fellow ate or drank or what he used as a shelter during the construction either.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

Without removing the plaster soffit, you're only guessing. I have an old stair-building manual (1870) with plans and instructions for building these kinds of stairs in-situ (on-site) The bearing weight of the stair is shown to be on the outside stringer and not the inside. BTW, it's no miracle when workmen show up for an advertised job. I'm not saying it wasn't an answer to prayer. but without a useable handrail, the stair was simply a death-trap. And furnishing the handrail was (by far) the most difficult part of the job.

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 I was looking at the structure only and speculating... true. Take a trip sometime and visit this stair. You would have a nice insight to share after doing so.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@michaelpcooksey5096 I did visit the stair and have done quite a lot of research too. I'm a curved, stair/handrail professional and so for me it was a tax-deductible trip.

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 Thank you for the update. Outstanding background, my hat is off to you. It will be interesting to see if your perspective is true. Bottom line they needed stairs, they got stairs, the novena was said and the result was so scary they had to initially crawl up them. If we do our job right we can look forward to checking in with St. Joseph later on.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@michaelpcooksey5096 Well said.

[@kellycoleman715]

My folks took us to see it when I was a kid.

[@lekeemmalekeanyi3233]

God's handwork God wanted to do another miracle. The reason being that the builders of the Chapel forgot to build the staircase God then sent St Joseph a man different from other men to do the job. Just Divine arrangement.

[@josephology3290]

Actually, the architect never forgot, rather, he designed it to not have a staircase (just like the other church nearby St. Francis), as they used ladders back then. But the Sisters didn't like that idea. So they prayed for someone to build a staircase. Their prayer was answered. God, through the intercession of St. Joseph, sent Frenchy to fix the problem. Providentially, he happened to be a Catholic Companion (a master spiral staircase builder from France, like the French architects, the French Bishop, and the French building manager).

[@bevonostro................]

The only thing miraculous about it is that every single person who climbs it doesn't fall off...

[@smdbruh1280]

the apparitions in medjogira have been occuring since 1983

[@josephology3290]

Alleged apparitions you mean. Has not been approved and encouraged by the Church. First Bishop actually condemned it, correct? It’s not like Fatima, or Lourdes, or Guadalupe, etc. See this Pints with Aquinas video for more details please: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmWke3uGe7WNmM0si=0Ym7yBgan1QMtglf

[@frankhernandez6883]

*Nothing Fails Like Prayer* 🙂

[@cpainstructor]

A miracle is unexplained at the time. God does not have to break his own laws to impress us. If science and history later explain, it is no less God who orchestrated the who, what, when, where.......if you explain the parting of the Red Sea as a weather event, It is still God who got the Israelites there at the right time and the Egyptian chariots at the wrong time for them.

[@josephology3290]

well said

[@patriciasmith7074]

You are pronouncing Loretto wrong. You are saying it like Larado which is a city in Wyoming.

[@josephology3290]

Sorry! My mistake! You’re right, it should be Lo-RET-to. Apologies!

[@MarkRopel]

Mom believed it was Joeseph the carpenter, and the earthy Pops of Jesus. She claimed his Non use of nails, proved it to her. He wouldn't use nails after the "Cross" excuse my spelling please, but that was her belief.

[@vudusid8717]

Itss a shame they had to make a myth out of the staircase and not credit the original designers.

[@chrismontaigne6288]

2:25 hulkamania running wild brother !!! Don’t forget your vitamins

[@dogstar5927]

There is no mystery here, and definitely no miracle ! It was built by an expert carpenter, yes. But it was unstable and unsafe from the get go as it had a steep incline, so much so that the nuns had to crawl down to prevent falling. And an iron railing had to be added years later to prevent accidents. In fact it hasn’t been used as a staircase for decades to prevent structural collapse. There is a central wooden support of small diameter. We also know the name and origin of the French carpenter. There has been payment made for services rendered as there were receipts found and we even know where he is buried. Spruce is the wood that is was made off which is hardly uncommon in the Americas. Samples of the wood are not allowed to be taken for scientific examination, so it’s impossible to determine the exact species of spruce used. Wooden pegs were the norm at the time since iron nails were expensive and difficult to come by. The church is a ‘for profit museum’ so there is an obvious financial incentive to perpetuate a ‘miraculous’ mystery, especially in a religious setting. And lastly, the ‘mysterious carpenter rode in on a donkey you say…. I call 🫏 💩 ! 🙄🤦🏽‍♂️🤣

[@josephology3290]

The diocese tends to agree with you, too. It was an answer to prayer, but not miraculous. If it were St Joseph who built it, it would have been way better, and taken far less time to complete. But Frenchy did a pretty good job.

[@bbybb4644]

Its either miraculous or not in my own perspective the carpenter who built the staircase is obviously guided with the Holy Spirit. And since he is a carpenter then who knows that he is one of St.Joseph devotee right?.. and through him the Will of God happened. That's it, let's not complicate the uncomplicated happenings. We must remember, everything that comes from God is a Miracle, even from the simplest and easiest thing and to the very most difficult thing.

[@josephology3290]

Correct: it's either miraculous or not. Which do you think it is?

[@philschuler9674]

Why didnt you show the stair case more and talk about how it was constructed ?

[@josephology3290]

Because the central opening question was about WHO built it, not HOW; plus, many others talk about that and I link those in the description.

[@philschuler9674]

@@josephology3290 Ok I get it, thanks for the clarification. Great video, thanks for posting.

[@josephology3290]

@@philschuler9674 thank you very much for the feedback. Hope you like the other videos also. Happy New Year!

[@jackaustin3576]

Mysterious is a better word that Miraculous....

[@josephology3290]

The Diocese and Sisters of Loretto seem to agree with you per their correspondence, I agree.

[@davidfishferrell]

The wood is also unknown. The closest species. Of tree is in Alaska

[@josephology3290]

Did you actually finish the video? The type of wood is covered in the video as well as well as the regions this type of wood can come from. Please, enjoy the whole video. Thanks.

[@davidfishferrell]

No I didn’t waste my time

[@davidhowick3665]

Joseph, the father of Jesus was a carpenter, this is a matter of record..they were both fine role models who set standards we can aspire to..to follow in thier footsteps is an honour for any master tradesperson so correctly to call it St Joseph’s staircase certainly honours the workmanship that we see today….so to whomever it is attributed still honours St Joseph ,Jesus or the uncertain name of the tradesman.

[@josephology3290]

Joseph was a Tekton and it is not called "St Joseph's Staircase" but it's called "The Miraculous Staircase of Santa Fe" (see the sign outside the museum in the video). St. Joseph is honoured because the Sisters prayed a Novena to him for nine days. Frenchy the expert spiral staircase builder showing up on the ninth day was an answer to their prayers. He then built it over the course of the next 3 to 6 month (time accounts vary) and the Sisters paid him $150 USD (that's $4,378.10 today in 2022 with inflation).

[@davidhowick3665]

@@josephology3290 wow..he didn’t recieve very much money for the skills he used,,,expect to pay $100,000 for a stair maker to make this today…

[@jthepickle7]

Being a 70 year old finish carpenter/cabinet maker I'd say it takes more than one life to learn how to build this staircase. Unless schooled in spiral staircases from the start.

[@josephology3290]

Well, Frenchy being a Companion, was schooled in spiral staircases actually.

[@rmp7400]

Who built the Miraculous Staircase?🤔 Do we REALLY have to ask?☺️🙏🏼⚜️✨👑

[@josephology3290]

What do you think?

[@xavierfernandes8482]

It’s Medical and miracle with god hands Alleluia Alleluia Praise the lord Jesus Christ amen amen 🏠✝️✅💝🥰🎁..

[@losdeldostacos8007]

"Saint" John Paul II

[@strega_babeharestreets2339]

2 months

[@poetmaggie1]

Such a sad story, it is no longer a Church.

[@MJHemmer]

Dude…. It is at the Inn of Loretto. Not Laredo. L-o-r-e-t-t-o…. Also the full name of Santa Fe is La villa real de Santa Fe de San Fransisco de Assisi.

[@josephology3290]

Thank you for the correction

[@strega_babeharestreets2339]

St joseph

[@edwardcalabrese7890]

Sidney Poitier?

[@ima_wingIT]

God still sent the dude to build the staircase..... Overall he didn't have to lol

[@josephology3290]

Amen. Regardless, their prayers were answered.

[@isanewday]

Really evil picture of the woman with the child.

[@robertwillison6076]

JESUS!

[@josephology3290]

No, Jesus was the “Foreman” leading the carpenter’s hands and logistics behind the scenes (err, above the scenes) and He authorised the project! 😉

[@Fuk_Xin]

Nope, not me definitely..

[@Nobody-Nowhere-USA]

I examined this staircase, nothing supernatural about it! Yes it was cleverly designed and built but can be easily duplicated with rudimentary tool and a moderate amount of time and skill! I’ve read so much false conjecture and fantasies about this staircase, it’s making something out of absolutely nothing!

[@greenhometony]

Think about people who have never picked up a tool. It still took quite a bit of time skill and wood removal with somewhat primitive tools of the time. I don't know about "easily" duplicated. This was an early tourist destination so people wrote stories about it to draw people to Santa Fe and also raise money for the church. There are several other stories about things in Santa Fe and NM that are "wonders" of the area. There is a rather large bell in another location in town and there are stories about it being from Spain I believe, and how and why it actually got there. The churches in Italy and Spain also often have such stories attached to their structures.

[@josephology3290]

When did you examine this staircase please and what's your background? Thanks

[@josephology3290]

@@greenhometony the organ and the round stained glass window came from France. One could ship stuff back then too. Just took a lot longer. No biggie. But I see your point: it IS New Mexico after all (home of Roswell and the aliens etc,. so so stories might be a bit inflated to gain tourists).

[@crawfordrhoderick2942]

Who built the spiral staircase in the Loretta chapel in Santa Fe, the same person who built the pyramid ,Stonehenge, the seven wonders of the world, and more. U. F. O.

[@user-CatherineDodd]

It was built by François-Jean "Frank" or "Frenchy" Rochas (1843-1894), a reclusive rancher and occasional carpenter who came to New Mexico from France around the 1870s.

[@josephology3290]

Certainly seems that’s the Catholic Carpenter whom St Joseph sent in answer to the Sisters’ prayers by God’s grace. Ora et labora.