San Francisco de Asís is an 18th century adobe National Historic Landmark. It is an active church which includes the outlying “Capillas” of Nuestra Senora del Carmen in Llano Quemado, San Isidro in Los Cordovas, and Nuestra Senora de San Juan de Los Lagos in Talpa.
Constructed of mud and straw sun-dried adobe bricks, this church still stands as one of the few original buildings in Taos. San Francisco de Asís is a living testament to the strong faith and sincere devotion of Hispanic Catholic generations who have managed to carry their religious traditions forward to the present day.
This earthen temple of God has twin bell towers, an arched portal entrance, hand-hewn “vigas” (ceiling beams) hand-carved corbels, and a choir loft. There are eight imported oil paintings set within a hand-carved/hand-painted reredos (Altar Screen).
We urge all visitors to view the incredible “Mystery Painting.” Since it is a sacred image, there is no charge to see it. A representative from the Gift Shop will escort you to it.