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History

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church began as a mission of St. John’s Cathedral in 1950. St. Michael’s held its first worship service in the storefront building on 4th Street, under the direction of The Rt. Rev. James M. Stoney. The land for St. Michael’s first permanent church building, on Montaño near 4th Street, was purchased via a donation. The new church building ground-breaking ceremony was held on August 3, 1952. In late 1952, Bishop Stoney selected The Rev. Paul Saunders as the first Vicar of St. Michael and All Angels. With its beginnings as a small parish, the mid-1980's were marked by a period of steady growth in the parish. By 1987, the Vestry determined that the parish was running out of space. The doors of St. Michael’s second house of worship were opened on Palm Sunday 1997 at its current location at 601 Montaño Road NW. Eight Rectors have served the congregation of St. Michael and All Angels since 1950. 

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Since the 1950s, St. Michael's has had a history of social justice. We were early to embrace women's ordination, LGBTQ+ rights, and deep welcome for immigrant neighbors. Long seen as one of the most inclusive and theologically progressive congregations in Albuquerque, we continue to work to welcome all, to act for justice, and to help all find a place of spiritual grounding.

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​On the occasion of our 50th anniversary, we produced a history of our church.


From the Preface:
The narrative that follows is a compilation of interviews, meeting minutes, official documents and historical data. Of all these resources, the memories of the parishioners are, by far, the greatest treasures. Documents provide accurate data, of course, but the vignettes that are stirred in discussing the past bring forth a warm and loving picture of St. Michael’s. In many ways the parish, although a larger community 50 years later, has retained much of the special character described in the early days.

In Fall of 2023, a parishioner, John Clauss prepared a presentation on the history of the buildings:
 

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