Street View, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
The parish's unique architecture has made it one of the most photographed churches in the United States. However, our
artistic heritage, especially as an expression of our faith, runs much deeper. The San Francisco de Asis church building
itself can be said to be a living work of art, and its endurance itself is a testament to the faith and the community
effort of the people who have cared for it over many generations.
As traditional adobe construction dating from the 18th century, the building must be renewed yearly by fresh coats
of mud plaster, lest the structure begin to erode and become again the simple earth from which it was built. This
periodic re-mudding, called an enjaere in Spanish, is an enormous labor of love from all who participate. While an
activity of the parish and the Ranchos de Taos community, opportunities to join in this faith-filled work of living
history arise every year.XX
Side View, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Street View, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Architectural Summary
Architects:
Date:
Style:
Unknown
1772 and 1816
Spanish Colonial
Entrance, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Cross over Entrance, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Completed in 1816, the San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church is a large, sculpted Spanish Colonial church with massive
adobe buttresses and two front-facing bell towers. The architecture of the church is an impressive blend of native and
Spanish styles. Three white crosses adorn the two towers and church entranceway. Four “beehive” shaped buttresses support
the back of the church structure and two buttresses in front of each bell tower support the
front.2
Exterior Wall, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Because of its imposing form and sculpted body, the church is a favorite subject for artists. Ansel Adams photographed
the church for his Taos Pueblo art book and Georgia O’Keeffe painted a series of perspectives of the church. O’Keeffe
once described it as “one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early
Spaniards.”3
Exterior Vigas, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Exterior, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Rectory Entrance, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Exterior, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
Entrance, San Francisco de Asis Photograph by Wayland Moncrief
References
Images
See Tabs: (Resources / Website / Image Resources) for common image sources.
