The San Francisco de Asís Mission Church stands on the central plaza of the Ranchos de Taos Historic District. Those who choose Ranchos de Taos as a destination will encounter a blend of local history, adobe architecture, and art: the church was completed in 1816 and is still active. Yet the view extends beyond the church building. The plaza is historically associated with art, exploration and settlement, architecture, religion, and agriculture; the Western Skies Gallery & Studio adds its own distinctive touch with works by local artists.
Adobe Architecture and Church Art
Massive adobe buttresses and two forward-facing bell towers define the architecture of the San Francisco de Asís Mission Church. These forms give the exterior a distinct character; inside, there is another layer. There is an ornately designed, hand-carved and hand-painted reredos with eight imported oil paintings. A reredos is an altarpiece; here, it brings the paintings together with intricately crafted wooden ornamentation.
The church is both a place to appreciate architecture and a focal point for sacred art. Visitors are welcome to admire the intricate details of the artworks. Check the practical visitor information before your visit, as operating details may change. This lets you combine a visit to the church with a look at the plaza where it stands, without reducing the historic setting to a single building.
The Plaza as a Historic Site
Ranchos de Taos Plaza is a historic district. The themes associated with the plaza range from art, architecture, and religion to agriculture, as well as exploration and settlement. This offers a broader view of the place than simply looking at the church façade: the San Francisco de Asís Mission Church stands at the center of the plaza, while the historic themes also encompass the development and use of the plaza. Those interested in cultural history will find several interconnected perspectives on a compact town center.
Local Art at Western Skies Gallery & Studio
Western Skies Gallery & Studio offers another perspective on art. It showcases works by local artists in a variety of media, including watercolors, oil paintings, jewelry, bronze sculptures, and quilts. Visitors can buy original art and meet the owner, Gayle Weisfield, at work in her studio. This makes a visit to the gallery different from viewing the church art: the focus here is on a variety of artistic media and the work taking place in a studio. If you would like to plan a visit, check the latest visitor information; offerings and operating conditions may change.
June and the Adobe Tradition
Each year in June, community members and volunteers gather to apply fresh adobe plaster to the church as part of the Enjarre. The tradition is also known as “the mudding.” It draws attention to the building material already visible in the massive adobe buttresses, and adds a recurring community event to the enduring account of the architecture. For trip planning, June is therefore a clearly identified seasonal reference point; the Enjarre is described as a communal work tradition.
Ranchos de Taos as a Destination
The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway also ends in Ranchos de Taos. The town can therefore be explored through this route’s endpoint as well as through the plaza, church architecture, and art. Whether you are especially interested in adobe construction, religious art, works by local artists, or the annual June tradition, these highlights can help you decide what kind of stay you want.
Discover more destinations: Red River, Questa, El Prado, Taos, Costilla, Arroyo Hondo, Taos Ski Valley, Valdez.
Go to the broader travel overview: Taos.
