San Francisco de Asís Mission Church Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids San Francisco de Asís Mission Church
Mission Church of Ranchos de Taos
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic Franciscans
Location
Location	The Plaza of Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico USA
Location in New Mexico
Architecture
Architect(s)	Built by The Franciscan Fathers
Architectural style	Adobe, Spanish Colonial
Completed	1772
Materials	Adobe Terra Colorado Exterior. Adobe brick laid up in adobe mortar with adobe plaster surface.
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Added to NRHP	April 15, 1970
NRHP Reference no.	70000416
Designated as NHL	April 15, 1970
Type	Contributing property
October 2, 1978
Parent listing	Ranchos de Taos Plaza
78001830

The San Francisco de Asís Mission Church is a very old and special building. It stands on the main square of Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. Long ago, it was the center of a small farming town. This town was home to both Mexican and Native American people.

The church was built between 1772 and 1816. It replaced an older church that was already there. At that time, New Mexico was part of New Spain. The church is a great example of a Spanish Colonial church. Many famous artists love to paint and photograph it. In 1970, it was named a National Historic Landmark. Today, it is a Catholic church for the local community.

What Does the Church Look Like?
A Look Back: The Church's History
Why is This Church So Famous?
Historic Photographs
Gallery
See also

What Does the Church Look Like?

The San Francisco de Asís Mission Church is about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Taos, New Mexico. You can find it in the middle of the main square in Ranchos de Taos. It is a very large building made of adobe. Adobe is a type of sun-dried mud brick.

The church is about 120 feet (37 meters) long. It has a shape like a cross when you look down from above. A wall made of adobe stretches from the back of the church. It connects to one of the side sections. This wall creates a closed area on the south side.

The church has unique rounded supports called buttresses. These help hold up the walls. They look a bit like beehives. The roof is also made of adobe. It rests on wooden beams called vigas. These beams are placed closer together than in other old Spanish buildings. The main entrance has two bell towers on either side.

A Look Back: The Church's History

The mission in Ranchos de Taos started in the early 1700s. Building the current church began around 1772. It was finished in 1815 by Franciscan priests. The church is named after Saint Francis of Assisi.

This church was the main building in a fortified town square. This square helped protect people from Comanche attacks. The church has been repaired and updated several times. This happened in 1850, 1916, and 1933. A big restoration took place in 1967. During this time, a new roof was added. Most of the ceiling beams were replaced with copies of the old ones. The doors were also replaced to match the original design. The old wooden parts in the sanctuary were kept. Every year, the community gathers to re-plaster the church with fresh adobe.

Why is This Church So Famous?

This church is one of the most painted and photographed buildings in the United States. Many famous artists have been inspired by it.

The artist Georgia O'Keeffe painted it several times. She said it was "one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards." Famous photographers like Ansel Adams, Paul Strand, and Ned Scott also took pictures of it.

The Taos Chamber of Commerce says it is "one of the most photographed and painted churches in the world." In 1970, it was officially named a National Historic Landmark. It is also recognized as a World Heritage church.