Situated in the historic town of Taos, New Mexico, at the intersection of Native American, Spanish and Anglo cultures, First Presbyterian was designed by preeminent New Mexican architect, John Gaw Meem.   The 1952 church sanctuary, as well as the 1964 education building, are constructed in Pueblo Revival style. The building is considered one of Meem’s most significant ecclesiastical buildings and is built of locally sourced materials with decorative motifs completed by local craftspeople.

First Presbyterian demonstrates its continued commitment to community through its partnerships with Taos Behavioral Health, the Taos Medical Debt Relief Project and its participation in Taos NEST (Navigating Emergency Support Together), which provides crisis shelter services to the community. The church works to support a local elementary school, has served as temporary shelter for the unhoused, and hosts recovery groups and community concerts.

A National Fund grant of $92,500 with $253,581 in matching funds raised by the congregation allowed First Presbyterian Taos to complete several critical interior and exterior repair projects. Intensive stucco work was performed on all facades to repair surface cracking and halt the separation of layers of stucco walls that can lead to water damage, mold and further structural problems. Exterior woodwork was refinished, repainted, and sealed. All of the exterior columns, front entry balcony, windows, doors, and lintels, vigas, and exposed ceilings on porticoes and other wood elements were cleaned, sanded, and re-stained and/or painted to preserve the wood and restore those elements. The exterior entry balcony railing and balusters were restored to the original John Gaw Meem drawings of 1951. In addition, gas, sewer, and water lines were replaced, and the electrical system was upgraded.

First Presbyterian Church of Taos Photo by Boyd Earl

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