Save Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel Flagstaff

12/03/2025

UPCOMING EVENTS - DECEMBER - 2025
FRIDAY - Dec. 12th - 7:30 pm - Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
SUNDAY - Dec. 14th - 4:00 pm - Floriani Concert of Sacred Music

12/12/2024

Friday, December 13th ~ 7:30 p.m. ~ Restoration Benefit Concert
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols ~ performed by the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, Choir-in-Residence at The Church of the Red Rocks ~ at ~

Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel
16 W. Cherry Ave ~ Downtown Flagstaff

Suggested Donation ~ $15 - $20

11/30/2024

FREE EVENTS - open to the public:

Wednesday, DECEMBER 4th at 5 p.m. at the Weatherford Hotel - There will be a slide-show presentation on the rich history of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel.

Sunday, DECEMBER 8th at 1 p.m. there will be a free TOUR OF NATIVITY CHAPEL. Don't miss this opportunity to tour this beautiful icon!

Wednesday, JANUARY 6th at 5 p.m. at the Weatherford Hotel - There will be a presentation on the secrets of ancient Roman concrete hidden within Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel - and how forensic studies will guide restoration of the bell tower and building exterior.

12/03/2023

Don't miss this beautiful Advent benefit concert featuring the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, Choir-in-Residence at the Church of the Red Rocks, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, 7:30 p.m., at Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel. The acoustics and ambiance promise to make this an extraordinary performance. Proceeds to support the Chapel restoration effort. Entrance is free. Suggested donation: $15 - $20 ... The 52-pipe organ has recently been refurbished. If you've never been inside this regional icon, this is the perfect opportunity!

12/03/2023

10/30/2022

On September 20, 1929, The Coconino Sun reported foundations for the church were begun. Construction, halted during the heavy winter weather, resumed the following spring in April of 1930. It's interesting to compare this May 18, 1930, photograph of the laying of the cornerstone with the following snow-covered photo dated May 5, 1930, just 13 days earlier. ...

According to the Coconino Sun, a copper box was sealed in the masonry “with a special trowel, accompanied by song and prayer.” A mini time-capsule, the box contained the usual documents encased in the cornerstone: the name of the current president, Herbert Hoover; the name of the governor of Arizona, John C. Phillips; the mayor of Flagstaff, Daniel L. Hogan; the names of church dignitaries; newspapers and several current coins. The engraved cornerstone reads “Church of the Nativity-A.D.1929.” ...

The Coconino Sun story continues:

“The trowel used by Bishop Gercke was presented for the occasion by Emmet G. Martin of Los Angeles, the architect of the church building. It is the custom to auction off such accessories for the benefit of the building fund, but in this instance the bishop circumvented the plan by offering $500 for the tool, saying that if anyone wanted to give more, he or she could do so. The bishop got the trowel, which he announced he would treasure among his sacred souvenirs.” (Note the trowel in Fr. Albouy's hand.)

Bishop Gercke also donated the statues of St. Peter and St. Paul for the south facade of the church.

09/27/2022

Workers standing at the top of the 92' bell tower. A decorative cast stone element can be seen behind the scaffolding.
Can anyone identify any of these other men?

NEW INFORMATION: We inquired with an architectural firm in LA belonging to the architect, Emmett G. Martin's, brother, Albert C. Martin, regarding this photo, and received the following reply:

"You have very good timing (I) asked about Emmett G Martin this Monday when the current Chairman, a relative of Emmett was scheduled to visit our office which he rarely does these days. We confirmed that the gentleman in the photograph atop the bell tower, second from the left with the tie and glasses is likely Emmett G Martin."