Built of Earth and Song: Churches of Northern New Mexico

by Marie Romero Cash, Parsons Jack (Photographer), Jack Parsons (Photographer)

This guide and history features over seventy-five churches to be found in Santa Fe and its neighboring rural communities. It is illustrated with maps and photographs of each church.

Genres: History, Architecture

167 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent guidebook to historical architecture in the American southwest.

It has well-thought out, carefully prepared maps of the 70 some-odd churches. Each is presented with an excellent black-and-white portrait, simple and straightforward images, and a brief paragraph of history and community context.

The author's intent is modest and effective--an invitation for the reader to visit and learn more. The larger effect is subtle but arguably more important--this is archival documentation of vital community histories.

The library copy I've read is a high quality, firmly bound and beautifully printed softbound book. I've ordered my own copy and will be using it in my next visit to my neighboring state. It will enrich my understanding of this historically rich part of the world.

[Patrick Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As you drive the back roads of New Mexico, just when you least expect it, a magnificent adobe church will appear in the middle of nowhere like a set from a Wagner opera. Whether you change upon them like me or go looking for them, this book is a good guide. I don’t think it was meant to be a guide but for me it has turned into one. Each page gives the reader a brief history of the building and points out some of the architectural anomalies (they all have them). Like I tell my guests, the New Mexico churches are like no others. Cross the border in any direction (except perhaps Mexico) and everything changes back to the American homogeny we have all grown to hate. The New Mexico adobe churches evolved into their own hybrid. And a wonderful one at that. This book is the Cliff Notes version of church info – but it includes some very, very, out of the way structures, which makes it valuable when on the back roads.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This introductory field guide is a helpful companion to church-spotting in Northern New Mexico. Yes, even when I'm on vacation, I'm seeking out old churches. Can't help myself....

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A-, interesting, kind of unique. Nice photos.