The Historic San Francisco de Asis Church is an iconic landmark in New Mexico. Located in the nearby town of Ranchos de Taos, the adobe church is one of the most photographed and painted churches in the world, it is also home to the famous painting “Shadow of the Cross”—a mystery to behold. Made famous by artists Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams, much attention has been drawn to its beautiful adobe architecture and continues to be one of the top attractions in the area.
A step back in time
Dating back to the 18th century, Spanish colonists had established themselves in New Mexico. As the settlers began to make a home for themselves and their families, the need for a community mission was important, thus the founding of the San Francisco de Assisi Mission. The structure was built between 1772 and 1816 and is now a National Historic Landmark due to its well-preserved adobe features.
The architecture of the San Francisco de Asis Church
The architecture of the San Francisco de Asis Church is a stunning blend of native and Spanish Colonial styles. Visitors will admire the large adobe buttresses and two front-facing bell towers, with three white crosses resting atop as the centerpiece of the church. Inside the church, visitors will see a large sanctuary where people are welcome to come and worship. The main altar is decorated with original Spanish woodworking and colorful artwork.
The church’s architecture and adobe-style is one of the many reasons it is one of the most photographed and painted churches in the U.S. Photographer Ansel Adams and painter Georgia O’Keeffe created multiple prints and paintings depicting the beauty of the church. Today, you will often see photographers or painters admiring the church from afar and up close and you will often find it represented in the many art galleries in Taos.
Preservation
As an important piece of the community, major efforts over the years have been made to preserve the structure including a new roof, replacing the doors with replicas of the original, and interior improvements to the wooden ceiling beams. But in order to preserve the adobe itself, the community and parish members, and even visitors, come together for two weeks each June to re-mud the exterior of the adobe church with a mixture of mud and straw.
Showings of the “mystery painting”
The great “mystery painting” is now housed inside the San Francisco de Asis church after having traveled the world to various important collections over the years. Named “The Shadow of the Cross,” the painting is a portrait of Christ by the Sea of Galilee during the day. But the “mystery” is, at night, the painting seems to glow and change with a cross appearing over the shoulder of the Christ figure. Showings of the “mystery painting” are done on the hour to preserve it from overexposure. The showings are limited to six people at a time and require a reservation, which can be made at the gift shop next door.
Stay at Hotel La Fonda de Taos
Complete your visit to Taos with a stay at the Hotel La Fonda de Taos. Located in the heart of the Taos Plaza, our historic hotel offers the best location to enjoy the best that Taos has to offer. We feature beautifully decorated rooms, suites, and a penthouse, each with the charm and character that Taos is known for. Start planning your vacation, and book your stay with us today!
