San Francisco de Asis church, Taos (October 16, 2023)

Constructed of mud and straw sun-dried adobe bricks, this church is one of the few original buildings still standing in Taos. San Francisco de Asís was constructed between 1772-1816, along with a Spanish fort. This church is a unique blend of Spanish colonial architecture and the traditional building techniques of the Taos Pueblo people. This earthen temple of God features twin bell towers, an arched portal entrance, hand-hewn vigas (ceiling beams), hand-carved corbels, and a choir loft.

 San Francisco de Asís is a testament to the strong faith and devotion of the Hispanic Catholic community, who have managed to preserve their religious traditions to this day. 

The church houses eight imported oil paintings set within hand-carved and hand-painted reredos (an ornamental screen covering the wall at the back of an altar).

The Holy family is commemorated outside.