First Presbyterian Church of Taos

Taos, New Mexico

First Presbyterian Church of Taos has served as a center of worship and resources for a changing community for over a century.

First Presbyterian Church of Taos Photo by Reverend Virginia Bairby

First Presbyterian Church of Taos Photo by Reverend Virginia Bairby

2024 Cohort

First Presbyterian Church of Taos

Taos, New Mexico

First Presbyterian Church of Taos has served as a center of worship and resources for a changing community for over a century.

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 grant with $92,500 in matching funds raised by the congregation will support urgent internal and external repairs to restore the integrity of the building’s envelope.

First Presbyterian Church of Taos Photo by Boyd Earl

Spotlighting Women’s History at Historic Houses of Worship

Religious institutions have served both as a platform for the advancement of women’s rights and opportunities, and women have played critical roles in advancing religious traditions. The leadership and community building opportunities within these sacred sites have been critical to increasing female independence outside of the home and allowing women to develop institutions that strengthen their congregations and broader communities. The four historic houses of worship highlighted embody positive examples of how the histories of women and religion are inherently linked.

First Church in Oberlin

Stories and Media Coverage

Read more about how the National Fund for Sacred Places is helping congregations around the country rehabilitate their sacred places.

Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church by Luis P. Gutierrez