Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (Taos, New Mexico) facts for kids
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish is a very old and important church. It is also known as Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. You can find it right next to the Taos Plaza in downtown Taos, New Mexico. It's located at 205 Don Fernando Street.
Contents
The Church's Story: A Look Back
Building the First Church
The first church was built in Taos starting in 1801. Bishop Olivares from Durango, Mexico, gave permission for it. It was a Franciscan mission, which means it was a church built by Franciscan priests to serve the community. It was connected to the San Geronimo Parish at the Taos Pueblo. The church was finished in 1802. It had very thick walls, about 3 to 4 feet thick, made of adobe. Adobe is a natural building material made from earth and straw. The roof was flat. Fray José Benito Pereyro was one of the first priests to serve this church.
Padre Martinez and the Parish
A very important priest named Padre Antonio José Martínez started serving the church in August 1826. He was the first priest there who was not a Franciscan. By 1833, many people called it the "Padre Martinez church." It officially became a parish church, meaning it was the main church for the area. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe by Bishop Zubiria. This church was actually the first Our Lady of Guadalupe church in what is now the United States! Other churches, like San Francisco de Asis Mission Church and San Geronimo Church, then became smaller mission churches connected to it.
Padre Martinez served the parish until 1857. Around 1911, the old church building was in bad shape and had to be taken down.
New Churches and a Fire
A new church was built in the same spot by Archbishop John Baptist Pitaval. Father Joseph Giraud helped organize the building, and it was finished within a year. Sadly, this church was destroyed in an accidental fire on July 24, 1961.
After the fire, another new church was built right next to where the old ones stood. It was designed in a southwestern adobe style with smooth, curved lines. This new church was dedicated in December 1961 or on December 16, 1962, by Archbishop Edwin Byrne. Monsignor Charewicz was the parish priest until 1967, and then Father Robert Beach took over.
A Special Painting
A special painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been in all three churches. It was made by Jose Santiago in 1674 and was given to Padre Martinez as a gift.
Connecting with the Community
In 2008, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish got back ownership of La Morada de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. This is an important center for the New Mexico Penitente Brotherhood, a religious group. It was built on land belonging to the Taos Pueblo.
What the Parish Does
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish is a main church for 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 Cañon, New Mexico, and San Antonio at La Loma Taos Indian Pueblo.
Church Services
Masses, which are church services, are held every day at the parish.
Feast Day Celebration
The special feast day for the parish is celebrated on December 12 each year.
See also
- Taos Downtown Historic District
- List of churches in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Images for kids
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Sculpture of Padre Antonio José Martínez in Taos Plaza
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Model of second church
