Before even leaving for our trip to New Mexico, I knew one of our stops would be the majestic and oft-photographed San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church just outside of Taos. My good friend and mentor Fred Volkmann had shared his photos with me years ago, and I later learned that the mission church has been the subject of paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe and photos by Ansel Adams and Paul Strand, among countless others.
Construction on this adobe masterpiece began around the time of the American Revolution and was completed in 1815 by Franciscan missionaries in honor of their founder and patron, St. Francis of Assisi. Like all mission churches, it held a dual purpose. It was both a place of worship and served as protection from attack, in this case from Comanches. Today, it continues to serve as a parish church in the Santa Fe Diocese and is listed as a National Historic Landmark and designated as a World Heritage Site.
And like all churches of its era, this is a sanctuary built (and rebuilt) by hand. Spanish colonists moved to the area in the mid-18th century from the larger settlement of the Taos Pueblo (unfortunately closed during our visit) and found fertile land for wheat and corn. They built their adobe homes from mud and straw around a central plaza to create community and for protection. The church, with its massive flowing buttresses and bell towers, occupies a place of importance and inspiration on the plaza. A thick adobe wall encircles the church and its small cemetery and forecourt.
The church remains in great condition, thanks to the continuing efforts of the parishioners, who have lovingly and authentically repaired and rebuilt it over the years. In fact, citizens, parishioners and visitors come together for two weeks every other year to re-mud the exterior, a job that can only be done by hand and with the knowledge that they are maintaining a spiritual and cultural home for generations to come.
For all the advances of modern society and advanced building techniques and materials, the sight of this old adobe church basking and baking in the New Mexico sun was a reminder that the works of our hands, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are meant for the service of others and for the glory of God.
[Thanks to the National Park Service website for historical information.]
6 comments On On the Road: San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
Steve – Lets you and I plan a trip there when the time comes to re-mud. We all need to help preserve our heritage and history.
Very inspiring…! Thanks Steve for the photographs and for the story, which reminds us to do our little bit, in our everyday activities, ….. consciously doing them, for the greater glory of God!
With warm regards, Anthony.MEW
Hi Steve,it’s amazing that in this modern day and time, the work of manual remudding still goes on. It speaks volume of the love and wonder the people of Taos have for their church.
I guess as with all things in life, big and small, when done with the right attitude and as a quiet offering for the greater glory of our God, it will always be a job well done.
Today ‘s reflection in LF tells of this woman who tends to her garden, a simple everyday task of no great consequence and yet she offers it up to God’s care .
I do a fair bit of planting in my little patch and I’ve decided I shall emulate the lady. What better way to work in the garden!
Warmest regards always,
Lily Lee
Lily:
So wonderful to hear from you and to hear that you are a gardener.
Have you read my friend Peter’s blog? He writes frequently about his
garden and the connection to God he finds there.
http://reflectionsinthewater.weebly.com/
Peter, like you, was one of my readers who shared his writing with me.
It was so good I encouraged him to start his own blog and this is the
result. And now his writing has gotten noticed and picked up by some
other blogs!
Maybe there’s a garden blog waiting to be written by you!
Thanks, Anthony.
Hi Steve, pardon this very tardy response. Have not gone into my email for some while now.
Yes, i have been receiving Peter’s postings and am glad he has picked up a ‘following’.
It’s so kind of you to even suggest that perhaps I too may start a ‘garden blog’.
As is the reaction in most such cases, the question self-worthiness creeps in.
Dare I ask to blessed with the confidence to take on something like that? Do I write good and interesting enough material that will make someone look forward to more?
And then this bold thought crosses my mind. Steve Givens must think so else he wouldn’t have suggested! Let us see where this exchange will take me.
Thank you once again dear friend.
Warmest regards,
Lily Lee