The adobe churches of Taos and northern New Mexico stand as timeless symbols of faith, culture, and community, blending over 500 years of multicultural heritage. These sacred spaces, often simple yet profoundly significant, remain at the heart of the villages they serve.

The most renowned is San Francisco de Asis in Ranchos de Taos, built in the early 1800s and the only original church still intact in the area. Its sculptural adobe buttresses and rustic beauty have captivated artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams, whose works have made the church world-famous.

Every June, the community comes together for “The Enjarre”, a traditional re-plastering ritual where layers of mud—made from clay, sand, straw, and water—are applied to preserve the church’s historic structure.

For deeper insight into these traditions, visit the museums of Taos and Chimayó, where artifacts such as santos and retablos, historical photography, and artistic interpretations bring the legacy of New Mexico’s adobe churches to life.