The 2.92-acre site is approximately 2 miles west of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and is the core of a larger 160-acre parcel which is in held in trust by the U.S. Federal Government for the Navajos.

It was originally set aside for the Franciscan Friars in 1903, and is now leased by the Roman Catholic Church, through the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico.

The Franciscans arrived in Chinle in 1903 when Father Leopold Ostermann held his first service on September 23.

[3] Prior to that, on June 20, 1903, the Secretary of the Interior granted authority (Land Authority 88189) for the U.S. Indian Agent of the Navajo Agency, George Hayzlett, "to set aside 160 acres of land for the temporary use and occupancy of the Roman Catholic Church for missionary and educational purposes..."[4] Ostermann and Brother Placidus Buerger took up residence in Chinle in a rented stone building.

[3] Also in 1906, on September 14, a well was dug reaching fifteen feet below ground, and a windmill was erected, which provided the friary's water through a tank and gravity-flow system.

And the first wedding was performed five years later, on April 27, 1912, when Father Leopold married Ethnobah Norcross and Albert G.

[3] Construction was begun on the Annunciation Mission Church in 1910, along with a stone post office and interpreter's house.

While many materials were delivered to the site by horse and wagon from Gallup, New Mexico, the stone for the cellar and foundation were quarried locally.

The south end of the building contained a single large room which was the chapel, which had a second potbellied stove and chimney.

[6] In 1934 Concrete reinforcements were added to the foundation, as well as the center beam being braced, in order to stop some settling of the building which was occurring.

An old rabbit house was converted into a coal shed by pouring a concrete floor and reinforcing the walls, and an open garage was constructed behind the friary.

The Friars began to bury their dead in a cemetery which was near the nearby Visitors Center at Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

[2]: 11  Major changes were done to the interior of the Annunciation Mission in 1964, by the friar in charge, Ivo Zirkelbach.

[3] From 1967 to 1969, renovations were undertaken: the original adobe brick chimney, which was crumbling, was removed; the front doorway was widened; and, in 1968, a dormer was added on the north side of the structure.

A statue of St. Francis, was installed in a small alcove next to the front door in 1980, brought in from the church in Lukachukai.

Two other major buildings, but constructed after the historical period were the Our Lady of Fatima Church and the Bell Tower.

[2]: 13–14 Other buildings include a Hogan which was brought in from Manuelito, New Mexico, as well as a church hall which lie southwest of the Friary.