Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (Taos, New Mexico) facts for kids
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish or Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe is a church in downtown Taos, New Mexico. You can find it near the Taos Plaza at 205 Don Fernando Street.
Contents
The Church's Story
Building the First Church
The first church, named Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, was built in Taos. Bishop Olivares from Durango, Mexico, gave permission for it. It started on November 18, 1801, and was finished in 1802. This church was a Franciscan mission, meaning it was a religious outpost. It was connected to the San Geronimo Parish at the Taos Pueblo. The church had very thick walls, about 3 to 4 feet wide, made of adobe. It also had a flat roof. Fray José Benito Pereyro was the priest who served this first church.
Padre Martinez and a New Beginning
Padre Antonio José Martínez became the priest for this church in August 1826. He was the first priest who was not a Franciscan. By 1833, people often called it the "Padre Martinez church." It officially became a parish church under the name of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This happened with the help of Bishop Zubiria of Durango. It was the first Our Lady of Guadalupe church in what is now the United States. Other churches, like San Francisco de Asis Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos and San Geronimo Church at Taos Pueblo, then became mission churches of this main parish.
Padre Martinez served the parish until 1857. Around 1911, the church building was too old to fix. So, it was taken down. A new church was built in the same spot. Archbishop Jean Baptiste Pitaval helped with this, and Father Joseph Giraud organized the work. The new church was finished within a year. Sadly, this church was destroyed in an accidental fire on July 24, 1961.
A New Church and Important Art
A brand new church was built next to where the old ones stood. It was designed in the style of southwestern adobe buildings, with smooth, curved lines. It was officially opened in December 1961 or on December 16, 1962, by Archbishop Edwin Byrne. Monsignor Charewicz was the parish priest until 1967, and Father Robert Beach served after him.
An important painting has been in all three churches. It is a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe made by Jose Santiago in 1674. Padre Martinez received it as a gift.
In 2008, Our Lady of Guadalupe church got back ownership of La Morada de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. This is a special center for the New Mexico Penitente Brotherhood. It was built on land belonging to the Taos Pueblo.
What the Parish Does
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a parish church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe. It also has several smaller mission churches. These include St. Jerome Church at Taos Pueblo, St. Theresa Chapel in El Prado, Immaculate Conception in Ranchitos, Our Lady of Sorrows in Cañón, and San Antonio at La Loma Taos Indian Pueblo.
Church Services
Masses, which are church services, are held every day.
Feast Day
The church celebrates its special feast day on December 12 each year.
Gallery
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Model of second church
See also
- Taos Downtown Historic District
- List of churches in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe
